The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association has delayed implementation of its drug-testing protocol for graded stakes in the United States because not all jurisdictions were prepared to implement it, the American Graded Stakes Committee said July 14.


The enforcement date for the rules was July 1. The committee, in a release, said it conveyed the change to racing commissions, racetracks, and horsemen’s groups.


The committee said it would have been unfair to enforce the implementation date on one state and not another. It did say Iowa, New Jersey, and Virginia voluntarily implemented the protocol on graded stakes.


Andy Schweigardt, director of industry relations and development for TOBA, said “scientific, procedural, and regulatory issues” slowed the process. The July 1 deadline proved “OK for some jurisdictions but not others,” he said

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