It was determined on Thursday, May 26 during the California Horse Racing Board's monthly meeting that random drug testing of jockeys, apprentice jockeys, and drivers will be instituted.

The board approved a rule to allow the random testing in a step to ensure the safety of all race participants.

Under the new program, an unannounced, random drawing of no more than nine names will be conducted by the stewards – once during most meets in California, twice during meets lasting more than six months. The jockeys and drivers whose names are drawn will be tested for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP).

CHRB Chairman Keith Brackpool indicated the Medication and Track Safety Committee could at some future meeting begin the process of considering whether other categories of track personnel and racing officials also should be subject to random drug testing.

(With files from the CHRB)