NEW YORK — New York is the latest state to adopt a tougher stance on steroid use in racehorses.

The state's Racing and Wagering Board announced new rules Oct. 14 affecting all Thoroughbred and Standardbred tracks in the state. Similar ones were adopted previously in several other states.

The New York rules, which go into effect Jan. 1, impose rigid new limits on four steroids — stanozolol, boldenone, nandrolone and testosterone — and an outright ban on others, with strict penalties for violations. The Jockey Club and New York Racing Association endorse the rules, which can be found on the racing agency's Web site, http://www.racing.state.ny.us/.