Breeding & Racing Magazine

US Graded Stakes Tied To New Steroid Rules

In the US, the American Graded Stakes Committee announced "eligibility to host graded stakes is now tied to adoption of regulations for anabolic steroids & toe grabs," reported bloodhorse.com. States or racetracks "through house rules must adopt, at a minimum, the Association Of Racing Commissioners International model rule on androgenic anabolic steroids by 1 January 2009 or the date of a state or racetrack's 1st graded stakes in 2009, whichever is later; if a state or racetrack does not adopt the model rule, their races will lose their graded status & will not be eligible again for grading until the rule is adopted". In addition, states or racetracks through house rules must adopt the RCI model rule on toe grabs on front feet by 1 January 2009.