07/16/2014 3:48PM Kentucky close to setting threshold level for cobalt

 

By Matt Hegarty

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is close to determining a threshold level for illegal administrations of cobalt, the naturally occurring mineral that is believed to be in use in racing as a blood-doping agent, the commission’s equine medical director said at a meeting of the commission on Wednesday.
Although tests have existed for some time to detect cobalt concentrations in blood, the racing industry has yet to agree on a standard for an illegal concentration of cobalt due to the recent emergence of information about its alleged use. The KHRC began funding studies to determine an enforceable threshold level earlier this year as part of its rapid-response program, which quickly directs funds to study emerging information about drugs that may be in use at tracks

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