"My post was not sour grapes due to a losing bet. I have no axe to grind re TAP. Again, is the current testing methodology capable of demonstrating blood doping in horses by any trainer, either with exogenous drugs like EPO or by transfusion of autologous (the horse's own) blood "




lfe221,

There is a test for blood dope, it's expensive, rarely used(some venues have performed random unannounced testing) and could not possibly detect all of the variations of EPO which the chemists are able to mask/change. That from someone involved in NYRA drug testing.

Re steroids, you may not know that they have been around for a long time and are legally used by many outfits big and small, legit trainers and crooked ones alike.All of these issues are being looked into and it the case of NYRA specifically, additional slot monies will allow some advanced testing.It's in the plan if the current NYRA management gets the future franchise.

Much of the screaming about drug performances are from people getting waxed at the windows or from trainers unable to compete.Some trainers use this as an excuse to their owners who get lots of bills and few purse checks.

Some good things on the legal/illegal drug horizon and the guys that are using illegal stuff must be aware that there is finally a "kinda" national push to stop them. There is still little oneness amongst the different states/racing managers that control/license racing and the feds will surely f--k it up if they get involved.


mike