As the number of races and the value of race purses increase in Maine’s harness racing community, so may the temptation to cheat.

The opening of Penn National’s Hollywood Slots casino in Bangor and the net revenue it has generated – 14 percent of which goes to the state’s harness racing purse and commercial track funds – has had an overall positive effect on a racing industry that was on life support just a few years ago. It also has brought with it negatives in the form of doping, or drugging, horses for increased performance.

One trainer-driver, James Apperti Jr. of Scarborough, has already been suspended for the 2006 racing season by the Maine State Harness Racing Commission for a positive test of a prohibited substance in a horse he trained and subsequent violation of the conditions of a consent agreement for a 120-day suspension.

“With increased purses, which will continue to rise because of the slots and racino money, cheating will likely go on the rise as well and with more horses coming in from out of state, our vigilance has to increase,” said George McHale, chairman of both the MSHRC and the state’s gambling control board. “The entire commission is taking a very proactive stance in having zero tolerance for cheating.”

To that end, commission members, MSHRC executive director Henry Jackson, and state representative Donald Marean of Hollis exerted a lot of effort to increase funding for the industry’s prohibited substance detection program.

“It was quite difficult, but we got it done thanks to the members and Mr. Marean,” said Jackson. “We didn’t get all we asked for [$225,000], but we did get an increase.

The program’s funding increased from $126,000 last year to $180,000 for the 2006 racing season.

“One of the reasons this [increase] is so critical is there are 44 more dashes [race dates] this year in the state, which translates to 47 percent more dashes possibly being raced,” Jackson explained.

If not for the increase, the commission’s system calling for postrace testing of every winning horse as well as at least one other random finisher per race would have been impossible to implement.

“There’s just no way I could have done it without the increase,” Jackson said. “There’s no possible way we could have tested every winner and I’m sure there are some out there who would have been willing to play Russian Roulette and gamble they wouldn’t get tested.”

That’s not to say that either McHale or Jackson think cheating is rampant.

“Here’s the situation we’re dealing with: Most horsemen don’t cheat. However, there is an element here, as in sports and life in general, that are enticed into this type of activity,” McHale said. “Second, the problem developing is we’re dealing with other esoteric forms of blood doping and performance enhancement, some of which are harder to detect or are continually evolving.”

Most horse owners, trainers and drivers welcome the increased testing.

“I think it’s wonderful and I think it’s tax dollars well spent,” said Diann W. Perkins, president of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. “What it’s doing is protecting what we have here because it’s keeping people honest and protecting the integrity of the industry.

“It also keeps a level playing field for everyone. I look at it as a defense mechanism for the horsemen.”

Tests are relatively affordable at $54 per horse and $54 per driver. A blood test to detect the presence of the blood-thickener Lasix or an aspirin-like analgesic called “bute” costs $16.

If a horse tests positive for a banned substance, the trainer gets an immediate 30-day suspension pending a hearing. If the commission affirms the consent decree that involves a 120-day suspension, the trainer serves 120 days minus the days already served from his 30-day suspension. If a driver tests positive for an illegal substance and it’s a first offense, they must submit to random testing and enter a drug rehabilitation program. Subsequent violations involve fines and suspensions.

“There were times when they handed out 90-day suspensions with all but 30 days suspended and a $500 fine, so perhaps this commission is less likely to forgive violators than previous commissions,” Jackson said. “Times have changed.”

Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205, 1-800-310-8600 or at aneff@bangordailynews.net