California horsemen warned to avoid feed supplement with high cobalt concentration

ARCADIA, Calif. - The California Horse Racing Board issued a statement Friday, warning horsemen that a readily available feed supplement – Finish Line Iron Power – has a concentration of cobalt close to the permitted level allowed in post-race tests.

According to the statement, Finish Line Iron Power has a cobalt concentration of 21.6 milligrams per serving. Cobalt is allowed to appear in post-race tests up to 25 nanograms per milliliter of blood, a rule that went into effect on Oct. 5.

The racing board describes cobalt as a “potential blood-doping agent and horse welfare issue when administered at higher levels.”

The statement was triggered by an incident in late September in which a Thoroughbred showed higher than normal readings for cobalt, according to California equine medical director Dr. Rick Arthur.

Arthur said on Sunday that a racing board investigation revealed that the high level was caused by an administration of the Finish Line Iron Power product.

“We interviewed the trainer, the veterinarian, and others in the barn,” he said. “The trainer was cooperative.”

Arthur declined to reveal the name of the trainer or the horse involved.

“It was not an official test,” he said. “We can only reveal results when we file a complaint.”

The findings occurred before cobalt limits when into effect on Oct. 5, following a review of the rule by the state’s office of administrative law. The racing board approved the cobalt limits at its August meeting.

In a one-page statement, the racing board stated that most vitamin and mineral supplements produce cobalt readings below two milligrams. Arthur urged trainers to avoid using Finish Line Iron Power.

“I think people would be foolish to use it,” Arthur said.