Hope springs eternal in the horse racing industry, particularly during Breeders' Cup week. Over the past few years, though, the definition of success in racing's greatest events has broadened considerably.

We hope to see champions for the ages, of course, to witness the brilliance of Cigar, the grit of Personal Ensign, the overwhelming heart of Tiznow. We wish just as ardently for something far simpler: that all of them get around the track safely. The deaths of Barbaro, Eight Belles, Pine Island and other horses from injuries incurred in Breeders' Cup and Triple Crown races have prompted a call for reform in the sport, which was answered last week.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced the formation of a Safety and Integrity Alliance, which has been endorsed by racetracks and horsemen's groups around the country. It calls for a nationwide ban on anabolic steroids in racehorses; out-of-competition equine drug testing; mandatory reporting of racehorse injuries; national rules regarding medications; and placement programs for retired racehorses.

That compact is long overdue. Racing has too often neglected to acknowledge that horses and riders put their lives on the line daily, and they should be given all possible protection. Now, officials need to ensure the push for reform doesn't fade away like an exhausted frontrunner.

"This is absolutely critical," said Eric Halstrom, vice president of racing operations at Shakopee's Canterbury Park. "Enough negative things have happened in our industry. I hope all the tracks recognize the need to set up these model rules. The way things are now, it just isn't working."

Canterbury has signed on to the NTRA alliance. The track has tested for anabolic steroids for three years, and state veterinarian Dr. Lynn Hovda -- who oversees the health of horses that run at Canterbury -- has led an effort to tighten Minnesota's rules.

The use of muscle-building steroids came into question last spring, when trainer Rick Dutrow admitted he administered the drugs to Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown. The public outcry prompted several states to outlaw steroids in racehorses. Hovda pushed for Minnesota to make its testing more stringent, reducing the allowable level so much it would constitute a ban.

The Legislature and the governor had to approve that change. They have done so, and Hovda expects the new restrictions to be in place for the 2009 racing season.

"In Minnesota, we've worked very hard to be leaders in this field," Hovda said. "Getting anabolic steroids out of racehorses is a wonderful thing. But a lot of tracks aren't there yet. Hopefully, [the NTRA alliance] provides an impetus for more of them to get on board."

Canterbury already had implemented other reforms, too. Hovda and her colleague, Dr. Richard Bowman, have long found homes for retired Canterbury runners. Last year, the track also collected a donation of $1 per entry from horsemen, then matched those funds and gave the money to area groups that care for retired horses.

Hovda and her fellow vets also were among the first to submit injury data to a national clearinghouse administered by The Jockey Club. Those statistics will enable veterinarians and racing officials nationwide to track equine injuries and identify trends that can help them keep horses healthier.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, an attorney who has owned racehorses, was named as independent counsel to the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. He will review its effectiveness and provide public reports. NTRA officials hope peer pressure will encourage all tracks to sign up and take the alliance's goals seriously, and that Thompson's scrutiny will spur progress.

The federal government already has held hearings regarding the safety and welfare of racehorses. Some cynics speculate that fear of government intervention prompted the NTRA to launch its agenda for reform, but Alex Waldrop, the group's president and CEO, said it was motivated by racing's growing image problem -- and by genuine concern.

"I sense a will to change in this industry like I have never seen," Waldrop said. "This industry is primed and ready. The fans are demanding it. And we owe it to our human and equine athletes to do this for them."

Rachel Blount • rblount@startribune.com