Pass Out-of-Competition Testing in PA

The implementation and execution of the recent PA Racing Commission decision to test for Milkshaking provides another opportunity at the same time.  If we really want to clean up Thoroughbred racing in Pennsylvania, we need to pass random out-of-competition testing.  As my previous post indicated, milkshaking is often done up to 4 days in a row in advance of the race nowadays.  In addition, science and experience has shown that positives for EPO are not detected on horses that have been treated on race day.  The only way to detect EPO is to show up prior to race day after the EPO was administered.

If a trainer or vet has nothing to hide and truly welcomes a level playing field, why would anyone not be in agreement to out-of-competition testing? Consider when people were suspicious of Bruce Levine's winning streak in New Jersey (where out-of-competition testing is allowed) and testing was done for EPO.   The results turned up negative and Mr. Levine was able to clear his name and show the public there truly is integrity in the races he was winning. 

I tend to side with Andy Beyer in not understanding how certain Super Trainers can improve a horse's Beyer Speed figure by 20+ points after the first claim often in less than 30 days.  Betting on one Mr. Dutrow first after the claim works time after time throwing all other logic out the window.  At the same time there are those who will argue the opposite side of this argument.  Let's put the speculation to an end by improving drug testing and implementing out-of-competition testing.