New Jersey Racing Commission executive director Frank Zanzuccki recently authorized a proposed new rule which would see new rules implemented regarding a testing program for the presence of
androgenic-anabolic steroids in standardbreds.
An identical new rule, which establishes a testing program for the presence of androgenic-anabolic steroids in thoroughbred race horses, is simultaneously being proposed.
The proposed new rule prohibits the administration of anabolic steroids to standardbred racehorses except for the four permitted anabolic steroids under the circumstances set forth in subsection (c) of the proposed rule.
Subsection (c) provides that the presence of residues of one of the four anabolic steroids approved for use in horses, boldenone, nandrolone, stanozolol and testosterone, in the blood plasma shall not constitute a violation of this rule if the level of these anabolic steroids tests at or below 200 picograms/millilitre for fillies, mares and geldings. For intact male horses which have not been gelded, the presence of residues of boldenone and stanozolol in the blood plasma shall not constitute a violation of this rule if the level of these anabolic steroids tests at or below 200 picograms/millilitre, nandrolone tests at or below 500 picograms/millilitre and testosterone tests at or below 2,000 picograms/millilitre. The use of one of these four anabolic steroids is permitted in all horses, to the extent that residues do not test above the threshold established by the rule, because it is well-established that each of these steroids can provide recognized therapeutic benefits to the horse. The threshold levels established in this rule are able to clearly distinguish between endogenous and exogenously-administered anabolics.
The proposal also states that written comments regarding the proposal may be submitted by November 20, 2009 to:
Michael Vukcevich, Deputy Director
Department of Law And Public Safety
New Jersey Racing Commission
P.O. Box 088
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0088
For complete information on the proposal, read the 17-page proposal document in its entirety by clicking here.
(With files from the New Jersey Racing Commission)