The Maryland Racing Commission has approved a ban on anabolic steroids for racehorses, following the lead of other racing states including Kentucky, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
The issue of doping in horse racing saw increased public scrutiny this spring after Rick Dutrow Jr., the trainer of Big Brown, acknowledged using the anabolic steroid stanozolol on the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner.
The restrictions adopted by the commission Tuesday follow the recommendations of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium, a group that includes trainers, owners, jockeys, breeders and racetrack owners.
The ban covers four anabolic steroids, including stanozolol. Small amounts of the substances are permissible because veterinarians agree that the steroids do not affect a horse's performance below certain levels, said Michael Hopkins, executive director of the commission.
"These particular compounds have gone unchecked for a number of years," Hopkins said. "The control of them is very good for the industry."
The commission approved the ban on an emergency basis to ensure that it will be in place by Jan. 1, Hopkins said. Final approval must come from a panel of state lawmakers.
The commission has not decided on penalties for trainers caught violating the ban but will do so before it takes effect, Hopkins said. But he said he did not expect many violations because neighboring states have already adopted the ban.
New York is now the only state with a Triple Crown race that has yet to restrict steroids, but it is considering such a move. The Derby is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., the Preakness in Baltimore and the Belmont Stakes at New York's Belmont Park.
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