Use of alkalizing agents–so-called “milkshakes”–on horses would be illegal under a new regulation proposed Sept. 15 to the California Horse Racing Board.

Ron Jensen, DVM, MS, the CHRB’s director of equine medicine, told the board that the agency’s random surveying this spring of horses racing at Hollywood Park, Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows detected the presence of the practice. Del Mar’s own testing found the level of total carbon dioxide that exceeds maximum levels was present in 10% of the horses it checked. Testing is continuing at the current Fairplex fair meeting in Pomona, he said.

“The results indicate some horses have been administered alkalizing substances, or milkshakes, in excessive amounts. At this point, the board does not have a rule that expressly addresses alkalizing substances. We examined rules that are in place in other racing jurisdictions, primarily for standardbreds, and drafted this proposed rule to allow the CHRB to regulate milkshaking.”

The rule, which classifies the use of substances such as bicarbonate of soda as a Class 3 violation, was approved for a 45-day public comment period. Enactment of the measure could be considered at the board’s Dec. 2 meeting. It would carry a penalty of purse forfeiture. There should be more stringent actions to be determined against trainers with additional positives, racing commissioners and those testifying suggested