Al Behrman / AP

Last year’s Derby winner, Big Brown, was on steroids at the time of his victory — a fact known only because trainer Rick Dutrow acknowledged it. If the winner of this year’s Derby tests positive for more than a trace amount of stanozolol, the horse will be disqualified and the trainer will be subjected to a lengthy suspension.

Bryce Peckham, Kentucky’s chief equine veterinarian, said he has heard such claims from many owners and trainers. Now the testing will prove it.

“If everybody’s on the same level playing field, I don’t think you’ll find people squeaking so much,” Peckham said.

The blood and urine samples collected from the top four finishers of the Derby will be sealed with tamperproof evidence tape and stored in a locked refrigerator until officials from Kentucky’s new testing lab at the University Florida can examine them. If there is a positive test at the Derby, it could be several days before that result is known, Peckham said.

Science still hasn’t determined the true effect steroids have on racehorses. While there is clear evidence that the drugs build muscle mass in human athletes that lead to more power or strength, racing for years focused on other performance-enhancing drugs instead that were perceived as more dangerous to the animals.

Although equine athletes still aren’t raised on a diet of just hay, oats and water, as the adage goes, Waterman says the sport has taken some dramatic strides in recent months. The RMTC is still active and working on another ban on a type of steroids that reduce inflammation, unlike anabolic steroids, which are designed to build muscle. There is more industry resistance to that, he said.

Alan Foreman, chairman and CEO of the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, said he used to think racing could shield itself from public outcry on drugs by pointing to the most comprehensive testing anywhere in American sports — one so strict that athletes cant even medicate for a headache on the day of a race.

But Foreman said his views changed after he looked at the results of a survey of racing fans after Eight Belles’ accident that exposed many concerns about the integrity of the sport — medication top among them.

“In the court of public opinion, which in today’s world is the only thing that truly matters, the perception is that our sport is not clean,” Foreman said. “In today’s world, perception is reality no matter how unfair or inaccurate that perception may be. We may think our deterrent system is effective but apparently many people think it’s not.”

More news

David J. Phillip / AP

'All Others' a strong favorite?

The first of three pools of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager begins its three-day run on Friday and the bet's opening scenario is very similar to each of its opening pools since the wager was created in 1999.

Matthew Stockman / Getty Images

Breeders' Cup returns to NBC

It's first time that Classic will be broadcast in primetime on Nov. 3.

Headlines

• Label

Singlet and Pretension win Big A stakes

Junior Alvarado rides five winners at Aqueduct

Road to the Kentucky Derby

Video: Kickoff to 138th Kentucky Derby begins

Sanagas seeks third straight win in San Marcos

Ever So Lucky entered, but could miss Hutcheson

Dubai Prince makes UAE debut in Al Maktoum Challenge R2

Cyber Secret added to Triple Crown nominations list