Although studies have been completed to determine threshold levels for almost 20 therapeutic medications, it doesn't mean the industry will know for certain whether the drugs can impact equine performance. And it remains to be seen whether racing commissions will adopt the testing levels.

The week of the University of Arizona Symposium on Racing & Gaming ended like it began–with a discussion of equine drugs and testing methods. On Dec. 10, officials participated in one of the more candid public presentations on the subject.

Robert Lewis, DVM, president of Elgin Veterinary Hospital and past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, said the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium accomplished a lot. But there always may be unanswered questions given the nature of drugs and testing.

"For years we've been operating in an environment of uncertainty and lack of uniformity," Lewis said. "This is a huge dilemma for trainers that race in various jurisdictions and veterinarians that travel from state to state. The RMTC was supposed to make life easier, but it's an elusive goal