The racing commissions that govern Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing in Delaware have been testing for erythropoietin (EPO) antibodies since June 1, and in the future may implement rules to penalize horses that test positive.

In a joint release issued late Nov. 3, the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission and Delaware Harness Racing Commission said they decided to follow New York and Ontario, Canada, in announcing that testing had begun. Because there is no test for EPO or darbopoietin (DPO), a related blood-doping agent, regulators use a screening test for the antibodies.

The two commissions adopted rule to prohibit the possession or use of EPO and DPO and other substances for which there are no tests under the Association of Racing Commissioners International “prohibited practices” rule. Bernard Daney, chairman of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, said regulators “thought the time was right for us to inform the racing community” testing was under way.

The results of the tests are confidential and subject to investigation, so no further comment can be made, the racing commissions said in the joint statement