On Friday, February 24, the Ontario Racing Commission released a notice to the industry reminding racing participants that the CPMA is testing for ethanol, effective February 13, 2012

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The ORC notice appears below (please note that a link to the official release, which contains a CPMA memorandum, is within the text below).

On January 16, 2012, the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) announced that official samples will be tested for ethanol, effective February 13, 2012.

Ethanol, a central nervous system depressant, is widely available in many forms. The CPMA is advising industry participants to take care and to read the label of ingredients when choosing products that are administered to horses. The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has noted this very same advice in previous Notices to the Industry.

A copy of the CPMA Memorandum is attached to this Notice.

The ORC believes it is the responsibility of Ontario licensees to pay close attention to and closely review all memos from the CPMA. This includes keeping up to date on the CPMA Schedule of Prohibited Drugs.