Ontario commission warns about alkalizing agent

The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) is advising all participants to be aware of the properties of calcium propionate. The white, powdery substance is used as a preservative in a wide variety of products, and is an alkalizing agent similar to baking soda.

 

Use of calcium propionate could lead to readings which exceed the acceptable TCO2 levels under the Rules of Racing in Ontario. All horses racing in Ontario are tested for TCO2 and any positive is treated as a Class III category.

 

The ORC rules state that any horse with a positive for a Class I, II, III drug, or a substance determined to be non-therapeutic, shall then be declared ineligible to race in Ontario for a period of 90 days. The ORC also reminds that under rule changes introduced in January 2008, a trainer of a horse with a positive test will be considered to have absolute liability for the offence. (ORC)