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The New Jersey Racing Commission on Wednesday (Dec. 16) approved new anabolic steroids regulations for the state's Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing. A testing program could begin by the end of January, following the purchasing of equipment and hiring of employees.

NJRC approves new anabolic steroids regulations Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - Trenton, NJ ---Frank Zanzuccki, the NJRC executive director, said New Jersey's policies would mirror those in neighboring states.

The regulations call for testing for the presence or levels of boldenone, nandrolone, stanozolol and testosterone.

Trainers of horses that test above permitted levels will be subjected to a 45-day suspension and $1,000 fine for the first offense, 90-day suspension and $2,500 fine for the second violation and permanent loss of license for a third offense.

The imposition of trainer penalties will begin on the 121st day after the effective date of adoption. Any horse that tests in violation of the rules during the first 120 days will be disqualified from the race and denied purse money. The horse will be ineligible to compete in New Jersey for at least 30 days.

"This issue came to the regulators as an industry proposal to eliminate what was viewed to be a practice that was unsafe and struck at the integrity of horse racing," Zanzuccki said.

The new regulations can be found by clicking this link.

In other NJRC business, the commission approved a petition by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which runs the Meadowlands, to pay all finishers in overnight races. Under the proposal, the money distribution for a 10-horse field would be 50 percent, 25 percent, 10 percent, 6 percent and 4 percent, with 1 percent going to each of the sixth- through 10th-place finishers.

The petition still needs legislative review and final NJRC approval, a process that could take six months or more.

Courtest Ken WEINGARTNER (Harness Racing Communications - United States Trotting Association)