Michigan's racing commissioner, Christine C. White, today gave notice to the state's horse racing industry that, beginning on April 1, 2009, the presence of anabolic steroids will be prohibited in all horses entered to race at any pari-mutuel track in Michigan
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"Integrity remains our priority," commissioner Christine C. White said. "By incorporating a testing program for anabolic steroids, we are letting everyone know, both horsemen and those wagering that we are serious."
Michigan is part of a growing national trend that is cracking down on anabolic steroid use in race horses. While other states have been testing solely through urine samples, Michigan will be using state-of-the-art testing technology that tests for the presence of the drugs in blood samples.
Michigan Office of Racing Commissioner veterinarian William Frank, DVM, stated, "The blood samples are proving to be more efficient and reflective of the horses' current condition."
The Michigan ORC will follow the nationally-accepted residue thresholds for the four recognized anabolic steroids as set forth by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) and the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI).
(With files from the Michigan Office of Racing Commissioner)