If They Fail To Adopt Steroid Ban, States Could Lose Graded Stakes Status

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP)–Any states that fail to adopt a complete steroid ban in horse racing by the end of this year could lose their graded stakes status in 2009.

The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association passed a new eligibility requirement this week that would penalize states if they fail to adopt a proposed model rule steroid ban by January 1, 2009.

The group is asking states to adopt the rule put forth by the Association of Racing Commissioners International by January 1 or the date of the state’s first graded stakes race.

At least 10 states have already approved the model steroid rule, though Kentucky has remained a high-profile holdout.

This landmark ruling comes a week after Breeders’ Cup officials stated they would hand trainers a one-year suspension if a horse tests positive for steroids during the Breeders’ Cup.

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