Maritimes approve out-of-competition drug testing

The Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission in Canada has announced it will begin out-of-competition blood testing on horses competing in the Maritimes. Commission director of racing Paul Hogan reportedly stated he didn’t know if any blood doping was occurring, noting that some believe the purses are too small to warrant using a drug that costs between $400 and $500 per dose.

If a trainer or owner refuses to allow blood to be taken, their horses will no longer be able to race in the Maritimes until tests are done. The commission will also have to show reasonable cause to test any horse.