NEW YORK – New York toughened its steroids policy for racehorses Tuesday, following the lead of the two other states that hold Triple Crown races.

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board said the new rules take effect Jan. 1 at all thoroughbred and standardbred tracks in the state. That includes Belmont Park, home of the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown. The new rules set limits for steroids that are permitted.

“We have moved to eliminate anabolic steroid use from the horse racing industry in New York State,” said John Sabini, chairman of the racing and wagering board. “Steroids are no better for four-legged athletes than they are for two.”

Prompted by the death of the filly Eight Belles at the end of the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky and Maryland moved quickly to institute steroid restrictions. Trainer Rick Dutrow acknowledged using an anabolic steroid on Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown.

The issue of drugs in horse racing has come under increased scrutiny since the Triple Crown races, and several other racing authorities have responded by instituting new policies. Horses competing in the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., on Oct. 24-25 will be tested for drugs, including steroids.

“My hope is this is the beginning of no steroids in racing. A diet of hay, oats and water should be our goal as we move towards a racing industry that is drug free,” board member John Simoni said.

Charles Hayward, president of the New York Racing Association, which operates Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga, joined officials of the racing and wagering board at a news conference.

“I think it's a really bold and great thing that the state racing and wagering board is doing,” Hayward said. “We're thrilled and are very supportive of their efforts, and we're going to work closely with them to get the testing protocols in place.”

What Sabini characterized as trace amounts of four steroids will be allowed in New York, with only one of the four permitted in a horse's system at any given time.

“For the sake of the betting public, we want to do everything in our power to ensure that racing runs on a level playing field,” Sabini said. “By imposing rigid new limits on four steroids and banning all others, New York is taking a leadership role in promoting integrity in racing. The message to owners and trainers should be clear: If you flaunt our steroid rules, you will be held accountable.”

The steroids that are permitted in restricted amounts are stanozolol (Winstrol), boldenone (Equipose), nandrolone (Durabolin) and testosterone.