The United States Trotting Association (USTA) said June 16 it will fund a project designed to develop regulatory controls for the use of cobalt in racehorses.

Cobalt is used to stimulate red blood cell production, and USTA officials say the substance is being detected in all breeds of racehorses.

The research will be performed by George Maylin, DVM, PhD, of the New York Drug Testing and Research Program at Morrisville State College in New York. He will be assisted by Karyn Malinowski, PhD, and Ken McKeever, MS, PhD, FACSM, the director and associate director, respectively, of the Equine Science Center at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

"It has become obvious that in all racing breeds the presence of cobalt is being detected," USTA president Phil Langley said in a release. "Since it is a naturally occurring substance, the question that arises is when the amount is natural and when is it added to a horse's system to enhance performance. We believe this research will give all breeds a standard that will withstand any court challenges