All Derby Starters Cleared in EPO Testing
All 20 horses entered in Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) were cleared by the state’s racing authority after pre-race tests for performance-enhancing
- Topics: Article, Thoroughbred Racing
All 20 horses entered in Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) were cleared by the state’s racing authority after pre-race tests for performance-enhancing drugs.
“I believe it’s the first time in the United States a race of this magnitude has had a full field tested for EPO,” said John Veitch, chief steward for the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority and a former trainer.
The surprise screening for blood-doping agents such as erythropoietin, or EPO, and darbepoietin was conducted Wednesday.
Veitch said the decision to do pre-race testing was not motivated by suspicions of wrongdoing but to ensure enforcement of the state’s medication rules.
“The tests are reasonably new, and it helps us maintain the integrity of the sport,” Veitch said
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