Times-Union Report: Drug Testing In New York Down By 20 Percent Since 2015

The Albany Times-Union launched the first in a series of investigative reports into New York racing on Feb. 6, beginning with a piece focusing on the state's drug testing program through the prism of the ongoing federal doping case.

The Times-Union's Emilie Munson conducted an interview with Dr. George Maylin, director of the New York Equine Drug Testing and Research Laboratory, who explained what many in racing have heard before — that testing labs can't find a new performance-enhancing substance in a post-race test unless they know what exactly the substance is. Microdosing of some performance enhancers like EPO also makes them more difficult to catch, especially in post-race testing. Maylin indicated his lab could detect three types of EPO, but scientific literature has described as many as 82 varieties, according to the Times-Union.

Maylin also said that the number of samples collected from New York's horses has declined by more than 20 percent since 2015. Some of the decline — though not all of it — attributable to disruptions in racing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The New York State Gaming Commission declined interview requests from the newspaper.

The report also indicated that Maylin preserves samples in which his equipment has detected but been unable to identify a foreign substance, and has hundreds of them stored this way, some as many as 10 years old.

Contrary to state databases, which indicated that there were just 43 positive tests in New York in 2019 and most of those among harness horses, Maylin said there were 176 positive tests in that period, including out-of-competition tests, hair samples, and horses running at the state fairs. In 2020, Maylin said the lab found 86 positives.

“Not all positive tests result in violations depending on what is found and when,” wrote Munson.

The story is one result of more than six months of interviews and research by the local paper. Subsequent pieces, which are projected to be released in the coming days and weeks, will examine the role of investigators at racetracks, tax breaks granted to New York tracks, and the slaughter pipeline.

Read the full report at the Albany Times-Union

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New York To Begin Testing For Bisphosphonates Oct. 26; Penalties Include $25,000 Fine, Loss Of License

An advisory from the office of the New York State Gaming Commission's Equine Medical Director was disseminated on Monday:

As of Oct. 26, 2021, the New York Drug Testing and Research Program will commence testing of biologic samples for the presence of bisphosphonates. Absent written Commission approval of a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption, detection of bisphosphonate compounds in biologic samples obtained from 2-year-old and 3-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses will be considered by the Commission to be evidence of a violation of 9 NYCRR 4043.12(c) for which a fine of $25,000 and loss of occupational license may be imposed.

Horses testing positive for bisphosphonates will not be permitted to race until such time as they are re-tested and found to be clear of bisphosphonate compounds.

Background

On March 28, 2019, the Office of the Equine Medical Director issued two advisories regarding the use of bisphosphonates. The first advisory recommended that no bisphosphonate be administered to a racehorse that is less than four years old.

The second advisory warned that Thoroughbred horse owners, trainers, and/or veterinarians had a responsibility to guard against an impermissible administration of a bisphosphonate to a racehorse under potential penalty.

The post New York To Begin Testing For Bisphosphonates Oct. 26; Penalties Include $25,000 Fine, Loss Of License appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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