By Matt Grubs
Updated: Wednesday, February 19, 2014, 10:33 pm
Published: Wednesday, February 19, 2014, 9:50 pm
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – When the hooves hit the dirt at New Mexico horse racing tracks, they are supposed to be galloping along on a level playing field – horses and jockeys propelled by skill, natural ability and force of will.
But, forced by some trainers to take illegal performance-enhancing drugs, the horses are rarely separated only by natural ability.
“It puts the horse’s life at risk, it puts the jockeys at risk. And we don’t want this,” said State Representative Candy Spence Ezzell, R-Roswell. “We want the cheaters to get out of our state.”
To that end, when the New Mexico Racing Commission catches a trainer doping, they use a series of lab tests and hearings to issue a sanction. Penalties run the gamut, from suspensions to probationary warnings to outright revocation of a trainer’s license. Purses are forfeited and monetary fines that run into the thousands of dollars are levied against trainers.
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But, forced by some trainers to take illegal performance-enhancing drugs, the horses are rarely separated only by natural ability.
“It puts the horse’s life at risk, it puts the jockeys at risk. And we don’t want this,” said State Representative Candy Spence Ezzell, R-Roswell. “We want the cheaters to get out of our state.”
To that end, when the New Mexico Racing Commission catches a trainer doping, they use a series of lab tests and hearings to issue a sanction. Penalties run the gamut, from suspensions to probationary warnings to outright revocation of a trainer’s license. Purses are forfeited and monetary fines that run into the thousands of dollars are levied against trainers.
continue reading and watch video here