Pot times

Jockeys Threaten Drug-Testing Revolt

URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1093/a06.html
Newshawk: CMAP http://www.mapinc.org/cmap

Pubdate: Sat, 09 Jul 2005
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2005 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact: letters@freepress.mb.ca
Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Paul Wiecek
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

JOCKEYS THREATEN DRUG-TESTING REVOLT

Jockeys at Assiniboia Downs threatened a revolt last night, incensed by what they say is a faulty drug-testing procedure that's been costing them money -- and their reputations -- this summer.

The jockeys were threatening just one hour before the start of last night's live racing card at the Downs to refuse to take the drug tests that the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission administers randomly prior to the start of every live racing card.

After a meeting with MHRC stewards just before the start of last night's first race, the jockeys relented and agreed to take the tests - -- but only after receiving a promise from the MHRC that the commission will implement a second, more reliable quick test next week to try and eliminate the false positives.

The pledge placated the riders, who are agitated by a pair of false positive results this summer that resulted in two riders -- Jerry Pruitt and, just this week, Larren Delorme -- being ordered off their mounts for the day after a quick test came back positive.  Both men were cleared days later by a secondary test done by a laboratory in Edmonton.

The tests check for six substances, including marijuana, amphetamines and PCP.

"I don't know what's up with those tests," said Delorme, who was ordered off his mounts Tuesday evening after a quick test turned up THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in his urine.  Delorme was subsequently forced off five horses he was scheduled to ride Tuesday evening, including Be The Bunny, who coasted to an easy victory in the seventh race.

The results of the secondary test came back yesterday afternoon and were clean.  Delorme was allowed to ride again last night.

"It cost me about $600 not being able to ride that night," said Delorme.  "That's a lot of money.

"And it's been very stressful.  I haven't been able to concentrate.  There's been a lot of things on my mind.  I've never had a positive test before.  And why would I take drugs now, when I'm battling for leading rider?"

Delorme, 22, currently sits second in the Downs jockey standings, just two wins behind Rohan Singh.

Pruitt was ordered off his mounts for a day in early May when he also tested positive for THC.  A secondary laboratory test also subsequently cleared him.  Pruitt also missed out riding a winner -- Siberian Falstaff -- on the day in question and estimates the false positive cost him $900.

But Pruitt said the cost of false drug tests has to be measured in more than dollars.

"It was all the talk all over the backside," said Pruitt, referring to the barn area where jockeys, trainers and grooms work.  "They all thought I was some kind of drug addict."

Larry Huber, executive director of the MHRC, said the commission is baffled by the false positives.

Huber said the same test has been administered to horsemen for the past three years and Pruitt and Delorme are the first cases of false positives.

Huber said eight positive tests came back last year -- that number included grooms and other backstretch personnel -- and all were confirmed by the secondary lab test.

This year, one jockey, two grooms and two jockey valets also had their positive quick tests confirmed by the laboratory, Huber said.

At least 300 quick tests for drugs are conducted at the Downs every year, Huber said, and are done on a random basis on everyone from grooms to starting gate personnel to jockeys.

Huber said he was unable to explain the sudden rash of false positives.  "It's puzzling to me," said Huber.

But responding to the Pruitt and Delorme cases, Huber said the commission has ordered new saliva drug test kits.  The tests cost about $20 each -- about four times as much as the urine tests -- but are considered more accurate.

Huber said the saliva tests -- which are also virtually instant -- will be used as a backup anytime a jockey first tests positive on the urine test.  If the saliva test comes back clean, the jockey will be allowed to ride.

But there's a catch.  Huber said the saliva tests won't arrive until next week and won't be available until Tuesday night's card.  As a compromise, Huber said any riders testing positive on the urine test this weekend will be allowed to continue to ride pending the outcome of the secondary laboratory test.

That secondary test takes a couple days, however, and it all raises the potential spectre of an impaired rider being knowingly allowed to ride at the Downs this weekend.

"For three days, we'll have to try it," said Huber.