Expert says testing solid

Equine testing expert Dr Richard Sams says the science behind the testing for the amphetamine aminorex is solid, and he believes horsemen are unknowingly giving their horses the substance by administering either feed supplements/additives or some sort of pre-race treatment that contains the drug, but does not list it as an ingredient.

“Having done all the work that we did on the testing, I’m confident there is aminorex in the samples,” he added.

A rash of aminorex positives in Ontario has prompted discussion and debate about the validity of the testing for the drug listed as a Class 1—never to be used on a racehorse—by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI).

The Horseman And Fair World magazine contacted several people directly involved with testing, investigations and commission proceedings to determine if the testing for aminorex should be called into question, including testing expert Dr. Richard Sams, formerly with The Ohio State University and now the director of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Racing Laboratory. Dr. Sams called the first aminorex positive in North America in the summer of 2004.

“The testing used to detect aminorex is mass spectrometry. This drug was first identified from samples collected at Scioto Downs,” he told The Horseman. “I was quite concerned when we first saw it, because of the seriousness of the drug, and therefore we wrote specific criteria for identification of the drug. We required that the drug be identified using two different methods, in both the urine and the blood. I also spoke to experts around the country, including persons at the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), about our testing and findings.”

Other experts have said that based on the aminorex samples analyzed and investigations, the aminorex seen in racehorse samples indicates that the drug has been manufactured for street use.

Last fall Dr. Sams presented his experience with testing for aminorex at an international conference. “I have shared my information with my colleagues, including those in Canada,” he added. “Based on my knowledge, they are using similar procedures that we used in Ohio.”

On March 1 Ontario veterinarian David Goodrow told Standardbred Canada’s Trot Insider that he believes the testing is picking up Tramisol and is confusing it with aminorex. Tramisol is a sheep wormer which some horsemen believe helps horses with breathing problems. It is also a prohibited substance and is listed as a class 2 by RCI.

Dr. Sams specifically refuted Dr. Goodrow’s claim that the test could be picking up Tramisol. “They are clearly different,” he said of discerning the two drugs in testing.

The first aminorex positive in Ohio was posted on Oct. 30, 2004, from a positive test for a horse that raced at Scioto Downs on July 28, 2004. Since then Ohio has called 20 positive tests.

The Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission (PHRC) has called 25 aminorex positives, but has put all of the cases on hold while it investigates the source of the drug. Anton Leppler, executive secretary of the PHRC, explained the reason for his action.

“When the positives came in, I was concerned about the low levels of the drug in the samples. The levels had no pharmacological benefit,” said Leppler. “So I issued a MOU—Memo Of Understanding—that said this. We’re giving the investigators and the testing lab six months to come up with an answer on this. If after six months we can’t come up with an answer, they lose the purse.

“I’m all about integrity too, but I take a more humanistic approach,” added Leppler.

The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission, which regulates Thoroughbred racing in the state, has also seen a rash of aminorex positives and is presently holding hearings.

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