by Frank Angst

Pennsylvania’s phased-in rules and penalties for anabolic steroids in horses kicked into full effect on October 1.

Pennsylvania initiated its steroid ban in April but most positive tests carried only a reprimand and only severe violations carried any type of penalty. That changed at the beginning of this month.

Any test that reveals more than 100 picograms per milliliter of boldenone, stanozolol, nandrolone, or testosterone in females or geldings will be considered a violation. In in-tact males, the threshold for a positive test for testosterone is 2,000 picograms per milliliter and for nandrolone it is 500 picograms per milliliter. All other steroids are banned.

For a first offense, purse money will be forfeited and the trainer will be fined $500. Any time there is an offense, the horse will be placed on a veterinarian’s list and ineligible to race until it tests negative.

For a second offense, the fine is increased to $1,000 and the trainer will be suspended for 15 days. For a third offense, the fine moves to $2,500 and suspension to 30 days.

From March through June, Pennsylvania reported 107 steroid positives. Only severe cases faced sanctions, and racing commission director of operations Joe Mushalko said no trainer was penalized since May 29, when Ryan Beattie was fined $500 for a violation at Presque Isle Downs.

Mushalko said horsemen seem to be adjusting to the new steroid policy but he noted that the threshold standards were lowered at the beginning of this month. Previously, only positives at the 200-picogram per milliliter level received a reprimand.

Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times