Doping checks hit big Asti event

The specter of doping surrounded the famous of Palio of Asti yesterday. What is considered the event of the year in Asti was raided by police and veterinarians on the orders of the public prosecutor.
It was a blitz which revealed that, as a result of the screening of jockeys and horses, there were elements of an offense related to the maltreatment of animals due to doping: searches followed in the accommodation of the jockeys and targeted testing on the horses, which were kept under observation in the stables of Piazza Alfieri, where no one had access.
The presentation of the jockeys was to be held on Sunday, September 21 at 12.00 which traditionally precedes the historic race in the Piedmont town, but after the raid it was immediately suspended to allow presidents to attend to the health checks in place.
For most of the day the prize was at risk of suspension, only in the late afternoon it was confirmation that the event would take place and that the horses would regularly course, the results of the analysis will come later.
The starter Renato Bircolotti revealed that new and more stringent measures for the jockeys had come into force after their behavior endangered the life or health of the horses, including the much-talked about rope where last year had a horse in danger of its life.
It may not be a revolution, but at there are more stringent rules and disciplinary measures for these events which can only be a good thing.

source: La Stampa Asti