Horsemen get funds with testing mandate in New York

The New York legislature has passed a bill that would extend a funding program for the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and require that half of the additional funds be used to test for anabolic steroids.

The bill gives the New York horsemen an additional 1 percent of all purses distributed at the New York Racing Association's three tracks through Aug. 31, 2009. The horsemen's association had historically received 1 percent of purses, but the legislature last year passed a bill giving the group 2 percent of purses so that the horsemen's group could pay legal costs associated with NYRA's bankruptcy. The provision would have expired this year without an extension.

Anabolic steroids are legal to administer in New York, but the state is in the process of adopting rules that would regulate them.