Though testing for the blood-doping agent erythropoietin (EPO) remains in its infant stages, a view into the prevalence of the drug on North America’s backstretches is beginning to come into focus.
Since a test to identify EPO antibodies was introduced to racing jurisdictions late last year, horses have tested positive in Texas, New York, and Louisiana. This week it was revealed tests on 400 samples taken from Fair Grounds and Delta Downs in February produced 12 positives for EPO antibodies.

Dr. Steve Bradley of the Louisiana Sate University Equine Clinic said while a 3% positive rate for EPO in Louisiana might not sound high, it is not possible to truly gauge the pervasiveness of EPO use because of how quickly it exits a horse’s system. Trainers and veterinarians are able to halt the administration of the drug in time for race-day samples to be left without a trace