PBR officials decided to implement the new policy this year by testing the top- performing bulls at random events in the 2008 Built Ford Tough Series, its premier tour.
In the future they may conduct the random tests on bulls regardless of their performance, Rivela said. "It's the first year we've had the policy, and we want to take it slow, make sure we're doing the right thing by the bull," he said.
He said the organization hadn't settled yet on the penalty for steroid users but didn't intend to suspend violators this year. Monetary fines are possible, Rivela said.
Nelson chafes at the idea that only winners, like his Big Bucks, are scrutinized. "If they're going to test one bull, they need to test them all," he said.
That's not to say he's worried about Big Bucks' test results, which won't be available for another month. He'll be clean, Nelson said. If he's not, Nelson said, he'll be crying foul that someone tampered with his bull.
"I'm going to be like Roger Clemens on '60 Minutes,' screaming like hell," he said.
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deedee.correll@latimes.com
