by Jeff Lowe

The California Horse Racing Board on Tuesday approved a proposal to reclassify four steroids as Class 3 substances under a timeline that would stiffen penalties for violations in time for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park in October.

In adopting guidelines from the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, the board will allow only trace levels of boldenone, nandrolone, stanozolol, and testosterone beginning July 1. All other anabolic steroids will be banned.

The reclassification is currently undergoing a 30-day review at the Office of Administrative Law.

By approving the proposal during a monthly meeting on Tuesday, the board will be able to proceed through a public comment period in time to give final approval on July 17, which would be necessary in order have the regulation in place by the Breeders’ Cup, said Rick Arthur, D.V.M, equine medical director for the CHRB.

Anabolic and androgenic steroids had been listed as Class 6 substances, which are subject to a fine of $500 or less and no purse redistribution. Fines for Class 3 substances are typically around $3,000, and violations are subject to purse redistribution.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer