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Kentucky Derby Field Screened for Blood-Doping Agent
By JOE DRAPE
LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 4 — The 20 horses set to run in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby were tested for the performance-enhancing drug erythropoietin Wednesday, the first surprise prerace test in the Derby’s history.
Lisa Underwood, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, said there were no rumors or suspicions about any member of the Derby field. In fact, she said, postrace testing for erythropoietin, or EPO, had been conducted on the winner and up to four random horses since September 2006.
“And no samples have come back positive,” Underwood said.
Underwood said horse-racing authorities here were simply taking advantage of another tool in their effort to ensure a level playing field. EPO, or Epogen by its brand, is believed to increase the number of red blood cells by allowing more oxygen to enter the muscles, reducing fatigue. Human athletes have been known to use the drug.
Since 2005, Derby horses have been under 24-hour surveillance from the time they arrive here. Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies have taken up posts on the backside of Churchill Downs along with private guards hired by the track. They are supplemented by an independent team of investigators from the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau and the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.
Each of the Derby starters also undergoes a prerace blood test to detect alkalizing agents, which is evidence of what is known as a milkshake, a concoction of baking soda, sugar and electrolytes that helps a horse ward off fatigue.
John Veitch, chief steward for the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, said Wednesday was chosen for the surprise test because scientists advised officials that the drug could be detected for only three to five days in horses, though the effects last longer. He said the test was meant to send a message to horse owners and trainers.
“We are using this as a deterrent to put cheaters out there on guard,” Veitch said. “Whether they have done it in the past or are thinking about it in the future, we want them to know we have the tools to battle it.”
Veitch said the Derby entries were given notice Wednesday morning that a state veterinarian was on the way to their barns to draw blood from the Derby horses. They also were given the option of having their own veterinarians take the sample and hand it over to the state authorities, but Veitch said no trainers did so.
“They can check for whatever they want,” said Larry Jones, the trainer of Hard Spun. “I think it’s a good thing that they’re doing this. EPO is something we don’t need to see in horse racing.”
In addition to the milkshake and EPO tests, Kentucky authorities continue to conduct the so-called super test on the top four finishers after the race. It screens for hundreds of drugs and metabolites.
The same super tests are conducted at the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, as well as at all Breeders’ Cup races, the season-ending championship.
Jim Gluckson, a spokesman for the Breeders’ Cup, said the organization planned to petition New Jersey racing authorities to implement the EPO test before the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Monmouth Park on Oct. 27.
Veitch said the samples were sent to Iowa State University to be tested and will be back next week. If any sample is deemed suspicious, another sample will be sent to the University of Pennsylvania, which developed the test for EPO in horses, for further testing.
A positive blood test for EPO could result in a disqualification and a redistribution of purse money, but wagering results would not be affected.
“There can be a disqualification, a fine and a suspension,” Veitch said. “If any horse tests positive, there will be a hearing and an investigation into how the drug got into the horse’s system.”
By JOE DRAPE
LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 4 — The 20 horses set to run in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby were tested for the performance-enhancing drug erythropoietin Wednesday, the first surprise prerace test in the Derby’s history.
Lisa Underwood, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, said there were no rumors or suspicions about any member of the Derby field. In fact, she said, postrace testing for erythropoietin, or EPO, had been conducted on the winner and up to four random horses since September 2006.
“And no samples have come back positive,” Underwood said.
Underwood said horse-racing authorities here were simply taking advantage of another tool in their effort to ensure a level playing field. EPO, or Epogen by its brand, is believed to increase the number of red blood cells by allowing more oxygen to enter the muscles, reducing fatigue. Human athletes have been known to use the drug.
Since 2005, Derby horses have been under 24-hour surveillance from the time they arrive here. Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies have taken up posts on the backside of Churchill Downs along with private guards hired by the track. They are supplemented by an independent team of investigators from the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau and the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.
Each of the Derby starters also undergoes a prerace blood test to detect alkalizing agents, which is evidence of what is known as a milkshake, a concoction of baking soda, sugar and electrolytes that helps a horse ward off fatigue.
John Veitch, chief steward for the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, said Wednesday was chosen for the surprise test because scientists advised officials that the drug could be detected for only three to five days in horses, though the effects last longer. He said the test was meant to send a message to horse owners and trainers.
“We are using this as a deterrent to put cheaters out there on guard,” Veitch said. “Whether they have done it in the past or are thinking about it in the future, we want them to know we have the tools to battle it.”
Veitch said the Derby entries were given notice Wednesday morning that a state veterinarian was on the way to their barns to draw blood from the Derby horses. They also were given the option of having their own veterinarians take the sample and hand it over to the state authorities, but Veitch said no trainers did so.
“They can check for whatever they want,” said Larry Jones, the trainer of Hard Spun. “I think it’s a good thing that they’re doing this. EPO is something we don’t need to see in horse racing.”
In addition to the milkshake and EPO tests, Kentucky authorities continue to conduct the so-called super test on the top four finishers after the race. It screens for hundreds of drugs and metabolites.
The same super tests are conducted at the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, as well as at all Breeders’ Cup races, the season-ending championship.
Jim Gluckson, a spokesman for the Breeders’ Cup, said the organization planned to petition New Jersey racing authorities to implement the EPO test before the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Monmouth Park on Oct. 27.
Veitch said the samples were sent to Iowa State University to be tested and will be back next week. If any sample is deemed suspicious, another sample will be sent to the University of Pennsylvania, which developed the test for EPO in horses, for further testing.
A positive blood test for EPO could result in a disqualification and a redistribution of purse money, but wagering results would not be affected.
“There can be a disqualification, a fine and a suspension,” Veitch said. “If any horse tests positive, there will be a hearing and an investigation into how the drug got into the horse’s system.”
