A group of East Coast-based horsemen’s associations has begun to ask racing
jurisdictions to hold off on implementing rules regulating the use of anabolic
steroids until Jan. 1, 2009, citing the patchwork of movements under way in
states that would put the rules into effect at varying dates in 2008.

 

Alan Foreman, the chairman of the National Thoroughbred Horsemen’s
Association, said that the intent of the delaying effort is to avoid "unfair
punishments" that would result from horses moving from states in which no
regulations on anabolic steroids exist into those where the rules have been
adopted. The national horsemen’s association represents horsemen’s groups in
Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and
Virginia.

 

"Right now we’ve got this piecemeal approach for a problem that needs a
national solution," Foreman said.

 

Most mid-Atlantic states are working on rules that would restrict the
administration of anabolic steroids to the therapeutic use of four commonly used
anabolics, with a target of implementing the rules by April 1. Several major
racing states, however, including New York, Florida, and Kentucky, have just
begun the regulatory process to adopt restrictions.