Pets

Steroid Use In Md. Race Horses Banned

BALTIMORE (WJZ) ― Those who train thoroughbred horses to run races in Maryland have been able to use steroids to keep their animals ready to race.

Now as Mike Schuh reports, that's about to change.

When race fans learned Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown had been given steroids to help an injury heal faster, there was concern.

Steroid medication may be useful to a trainer, but the fans view it differently.

"Absolutely, positively got to get rid of them," said John Whidden, horse racing fan.

Earlier this year, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia enacted steroid bans. Now Maryland joins in.

"And the more uniformity that you do have throughout the country, the more level playing field exists. That can keep everybody doing the same program," said Mike Hopkins, Md. Racing Commission.

More than 13,000 horses ran in 1,700 races in Maryland last year, and soon, with testing of the winners, all of them should be steroid free.

"People look at this industry, as far as medications being overused, this is one step in a direction that takes the medications that have been used and get them more in control," said Hopkins.

John Whidden has seen a high-profile horse on steroids go down first hand.

He was the first person to reach Eight Belles, the horse who broke down in the Kentucky Derby.

With 30 years at race tracks, he is for the back to nature movement.

"The best horse should win, not a horse hopped up. The racing game, they gotta clean it up," said Whidden.

Others agree.

"If it goes back to everybody being natural, then that's the way it's going to be," said Earl Lewis.

The ban is for four particular kinds of steroids. Trainers can still use them, but they can't run their horses for 30 to 45 days to clear the drug from their bloodstream.

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