The New York State Racing and Wagering Board voted Jan. 19 to adopt an emergency rule allowing for the collection of pre-race blood samples from horses entered into races at the state’s Thoroughbred and harness tracks to test for excess alkalizing agents (milkshaking) that could affect the outcome of the race.

Cornell University’s Equine Drug Testing Program detects and confirms the presence of elevated levels of total carbon dioxide (TCO2) in the horse’s system. New York is currently one of only a handful of states that have instituted post-race TCO2 testing, which has been in place since February 2005. More information: www.TheHorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=6484.