But there was no Rick Dutrow.

The congressmen had gotten wind that Dutrow would be a no-show, but purposefully kept the nameplate there.

"I would like to note the empty place for him," committee chairwoman Jan Schakowsky (D., Ill.) announced. "Apparently, Mr. Dutrow was too ill to travel to Washington, D.C., and will not testify with our other witnesses today."

Dutrow had been asked to testify after saying that his Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner had been given an anabolic steroid before the Derby, although not before the Belmont Stakes, where he finished last.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Dutrow never informed this committee of his illness . . . despite numerous attempts to reach Mr. Dutrow," Schakowsky said.

Dutrow had been under no legal obligation to testify, although his no-show clearly was not taken lightly. The committee has the authority to subpoena witnesses, but Dutrow had confirmed his attendance voluntarily.

There was talk during the hearing of submitting written questions to Dutrow before a possible second hearing.

Asked if Dutrow might be issued a subpoena, Rep. Joe Pitts (R., Pa.), a subcommittee member, said in a telephone interview: "If he does not respond to the written questions we are going to send him, that is very possible. He should not be able to duck the hearing just because he doesn't want to answer tough questions."