by Frank Angst

While many states have expedited steroid rules, the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council on Tuesday decided to take a step back before moving forward.

The drug council unanimously voted to create a subcommittee that will seek a consensus on equine steroid issues and consider funding more study by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, a national industry group that has shaped equine drug policy.

While the RMTC has asked that every state adopt the steroid policy before the end of the year, a goal supported by Kentucky Horse Racing Authority Executive Director Lisa Underwood, Equine council Chair Connie Whitfield said there is too much conflicting information to move forward. She said council members are too busy to allow enough time to gather information on the subject and thinks a subcommittee would provide the council needed information.

Formed to advise the racing authority on equine drug research and testing, the nine-member council includes veterinarians, horsemen, owners, breeders, and other industry stakeholders.

Whitfield, who also serves as vice chair of the authority, plans to have the subcommittee in place this week. It is scheduled to make an initial presentation on June 16. She did not know if the subcommittee formation would prevent the council from making a recommendation on steroid policy this year.

“There is urgency on this issue, but we also have to get it right,” Whitfield said, noting that any new Kentucky rules have to hold up to potential legal challenges. “There are a lot of basic facts that I would like to see agreement on.”

Although council member Damon Thayer later made a motion to form the subcommittee, he expressed concern that it could slow progress. Thayer, a Kentucky Senator, said continued tolerance of steroids in horse racing is hurting the sport’s public image and quick action is needed.

“We have a very small window of opportunity to take action here so that the public continues to have confidence in the sport,” Thayer said. “I don’t think the public is going to have much patience on this.”

In February, Alex Waldrop, president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, testified in Washington during a Congressional hearing on performance-enhancing drugs in sports. RMTC Executive Director Scot Waterman said in March that a recent study showed about 60% of horses race with at least one steroid in their systems.

Council member John Ward, who also serves on the RMTC board, expressed doubt that a subcommittee would be able to develop a consensus and expressed concern that it will simply duplicate the work that has already been conducted by the RMTC. He asked the drug council to consider committing funds to the RMTC to develop withdrawal times and testing procedures.

The RMTC has shaped a steroid policy that was adopted as a model rule in 2007. Ten states have steroid rules in place: Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Most of these policies are based on the model rule, which the consortium hopes every state will adopt by year’s end.

The RMTC recommends prohibiting the administration of the androgenic anabolic steroids boldenone, nandralone, stanozolol, and testosterone within 30 days of a race.

Council member Rick Hiles, who is president of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, agreed with Whitfield that there is contradictory information and added that a blood test for steroids has not been developed.

“I don’t think any state rule is going to hold up in court until you have a blood test,” Hiles said.

Dr. David Nash, executive director of the Equine Drug Research Institute, attended Tuesday’s meeting. He said equine and human steroid testing conducted throughout the world has been urine-based to this point.

At the Association of Racing Commissioners International convention in March, the RMTC recommended regulators move forward on steroid rules even without specific withdrawal times, confident that the information would be developed. The RMTC has recommended states put a 90-day grace period in place before enforcing new steroid policies to allow horsemen time to adjust.

Earlier this month, the RMTC sponsored a racing chemist workshop to develop uniformity in steroid drug testing.

Frank Angst is senior writer of Thoroughbred Times