According to an article in today's New York Times, New York state is not testing harness horses for anabolic steroids or conducting regular testing for "milkshakes" due to financing issues
.
In early May, a $10 fee was imposed on horse owners for each horse that races in New York, which is intended to raise $1 million annually for the program in addition to a $4 million annual contribution made by the state.
Dr. Michael I. Kotlikoff, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University that conducts the testing, says the program is underfinanced as the college is using that money to recoup costs incurred by the program in the past years. He also told the New York Times that the situation could get worse if the testing facilities are shut down due to disrepair.
Racing Board officials, however, disagree with Kotlikoff’s assertion.
“State funding for equine drug testing at Cornell has increased significantly over the past five years,” the Racing Board spokesman Joe Mahoney told the New York Times. “Cornell, in that time, has managed to boost the percentage it keeps from that allotment. Cornell has been granted a monopoly on this work, and we’re endeavoring to find an alternative arrangement.”
To read the New York Times article in its entirety, click here.
(With files from the New York Times)
Lets see the public and
Lets see the public and racing insiders have said that the selective use of performance enhancing drugs is the main reason for the public's lack of confidence in fairness in racing and the reason for them choosing other forms of gambling. So now we have at least 2 jurisdictions not testing for them, ain't it just lovely!!
wow what a great sport this
wow what a great sport this is!!!!!!