Racehorses in Louisiana Testing Positive for a Performance-Enhancing Drug

Almost a dozen racehorses in Louisiana tested positive for a powerful performance-enhancing drug.Three of those horses raced at Evangeline Downs as recently as two months ago. Two of those horses belong to trainer Anthony Agilar and the other owned by Kyi Lormand. Both have been suspended for six months. The Louisiana racing commission has now launched a full investigation.

That drug is dermorphin, it's 40 times more powerful than morphine. It's causing horses to run faster without feeling pain. Because of it's performance enhancing abilities, it's considered one of the industry's most severe drug violations.

"It has a powerful affect on performance it's a drug that has no place in racing," said Charlie Gardiner, Executive Director of the Louisiana Racing Commission.

"A horse may out perform its normal expected pace in a race and the betting public is defrauded," said Dr. Steven Barker.

Dermorphin is found on the skin of a South American frog. LSU researcher Dr. Steven Barker says the drug is being administered illegally.