A big story in sports centers on legislation proposed by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Jim Bunning, R-Ky., to punish steroid users in professional sports.

Horse racing has had its share of drug scandals, too. So, it doesn't take a genius to figure if the sport doesn't fix its own drug problems, someone else might.

A major step was taken at this year's Breeders' Cup at Belmont Park. All Breeders' Cup day runners were placed in detention barns for six-hours prior to their start. The rule was put into place earlier this year by the New York Racing Association, which runs Belmont.

Holding race-day starters in a detention barn is a deterrent against horses running on illegal medication and banned substances.

The horses are under high security so no one can get to them.

It's an inconvenience for the horses and the horsemen, but essential to rebuilding integrity.

Ironically, two high-profile trainers who had horses test positive early this year, Richard Dutrow and Jeff Mullins, had great success on Breeders' Cup day under this scenario.

Mullins had two horses run second -- Captain Squire in the Sport Page Handicap and Wild Fit in the Juvenile Fillies.

Dutrow won two races with Silver Train in the Sprint and Saint Liam in the Classic.

If states aren't going to have pre-race testing, then detention barns are a necessary evil. Post-race testing is still hit-or-miss unless all horses are tested and that's not going to happen.

Athletes abusing steroids and banned substances are a black eye to sports. However, the reward of fame and fortune has proven too enticing.

The same reward versus risk exists in horse racing. But since horses can't talk, it's up to humans to protect them and the betting public.

One of the leading proponents in cleaning up horse racing is Stan Bergstein, an outstanding columnist for the Daily Racing Form.

Recently, Bergstein was accused by a reader of being "obsessed" with illegal medication.

Bergstein replied, "I'm proud of the obsession, because it is a cancer eating at the sport."

Richard Eng's horse racing column is published Friday. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.