The number of horses that have failed drug tests in California have doubled since 2000 and the offenses rarely result in disqualification or other stiff penalties, the Orange County Register reported Sunday.

While failed drug tests have dropped significantly in other states that feature horse racing, California registered 142 violations out of 31,517 tests in 2005 compared to 72 violations after 29,876 horses were examined in 2000.

California is on pace to finish this year with 150 violations, the newspaper reported.

Some industry observers said the increase in failed drug tests are due to a state racing board unable to establish effective deterrents.

“There is no control of drugging out there in California,” said Bob Baker, an investigator for the animal-rights group Humane Farming Association who has helped other states adopt stiffer drug rules. “It’s a mess