Dr. George Maylin, the director of the New York Equine Drug Testing Programs, has confirmed the presence of IOX-2, a small molecule synthetic doping agent and a threat to both human and equine sport, in a pair of Standardbred horses racing at Yonkers Raceway. IOX-2 is a blood and gene doping agent that Dr. Maylin warned attendees about at the annual ARCI conference in Arcadia, California.
The New York horseracing lab is believed to be the first–either in horse racing or the worldwide WADA network of testing labs–to screen for and confirm the presence of IOX-2, an IHF stabilizer that can trigger EPO-like effects as well as overall stimulation of an athlete.
A member of the ARCI Scientific Advisory Group, Dr. Maylin has stressed that the more serious threat to the sport of horse racing lies in these types of agents rather than the misuse of therapeutic medications.
All RCI member jurisdictions are on notice of the details of the developments.
“The New York Gaming Commission and Dr. Maylin specifically, should be commended for their work and focus on finding new and emerging threats to clean sport,” said ARCI President Ed Martin. “Dr. Maylin has worked long and hard looking for these type of substances and his work will benefit all ARCI member jurisdictions.
“Unfortunately IOX-2 is just one doping agent and we are not naive to believe that others are not finding their way into professional sport. Whether it be a racing lab or a WADA lab, we share a common mission and can never let our guard down. Today, it's IOX-2, tomorrow it's going to be something else. Horse racing is blessed to have experts like Dr. Maylin in our regulatory network.”
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