BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

What's Going On Here: Deja Vu All Over Again

The industry is still short of the goal of uniformity from state to state

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Penn National Tightens Race-Day Salix Policy

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course is the first of three Pennsylvania Thoroughbred tracks to require administration of race-day furosemide by third-party veterinarians.

Bramlage Responds to Recent Media Reports

In the wake of a New York Times article and an NBC Nightly News segment focused on injuries to I'll Have Another and the medications used to treat the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Dr. Larry Bramlage issues a response.

RCI Seeking More Information on Salix Use

The Association of Racing Commissioners International is reassessing its policy supporting race-day administration of furosemide, but also indicated much needs to be done before any change is made.

At Large: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (11)

A look back at some of the comments made during the July 12 medication hearing.

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Federal Regulation Gets Push, With Caveats

The Jockey Club isn't opposed to federal regulation of medication and penalties in horse racing but it would prefer Congress not tinker with the Interstate Horse Racing Act, an organization official said July 12.

Benson Hired As RMTC Executive Director

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium has hired Dr. Dionne Benson as executive director and chief operating officer.

KHRC: No Dermorphin Found in Tested Samples

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission said July 11 no dermorphin, a pain-killer more powerful than morphine, was found in samples tested from some horses that raced in this year's Derby and Oaks.

Equine Medication Focus of Senate Hearing

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has scheduled a hearing next week on "Medication and Performance Enhancing Drugs in Horse Racing."

Talkin' Horses: Focus on Furosemide

Did you miss the live show? Listen now to the archived, on demand, version.

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Rogue Reporting - by Eric Mitchell

We should not be fooled into believing the New York Times is out to help racing.

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Horsemen: Harsh Penalties for Dermorphin

The National HBPA and its affiliates said they have "zero tolerance" for trainers who use illegal Class 1 and Class 2 substances in racehorses in the wake of about 30 positives for Dermorphin in the Southwest.

Minnesota Makes Equine Drug-Testing Changes

A new law that allows for an expansion of racetrack card clubs in Minnesota also permits the Minnesota Racing Commission to set threshold testing levels for therapeutic medications used in racehorses.

Jockey's Guild States Safety Policies

The board of directors of the Jockeys' Guild has voted to adopt 10 policy statements concerning race day medications and safety concerns.

Industry Wary of Congressional Hearing

Industry organizations are taking a wait-and-see approach to an April 30 hearing at which members of Congress will examine health and safety issues in horse racing--and whether progress has been made since the last hearing.

PA Horsemen Call for State-Level Meetings

A coalition of Pennsylvania horsemen is seeking a series of "state-level" meetings of all stakeholders in horse racing to examine ways to improve the health and safety of equine and human participants.

Jockey Club Seeks Tougher Medication Rules

The Jockey Club officially released its "Reformed Racing Medication Rules" March 30, but broad adoption of the policies hinges on action by regulators in all racing jurisdictions.

Udall Says 'Corruption' in Racing Alarming

A member of Congress who in 2011 co-sponsored federal legislation that would regulate safety and integrity in horse racing has renewed his call in the wake of a March 25 report in the New York Times.

Safety Alliance Standards Updated for 2012

Members of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance have been given the updated code of standards for 2012, officials said March 12.

Breeders' Cup: No Change in Medication Policy

Breeders' Cup Ltd. has reaffirmed its plan to ban race-day medications in World Championships races for 2-year-olds this year, despite recent action by the American Graded Stakes Committee to delay a similar ban.

Approval of Bute Rule Slowed in Louisiana

A Louisiana Senate committee rejected an emergency rule approved by the Louisiana State Racing Commission to lower the testing threshold level for phenylbutazone from 5 micrograms per milliliter to 2 micrograms.

Strawbridge Urges Strong Medication Reform

Prominent George Strawbridge Jr. said the U.S. needs more strict enforcement and tougher penalties for medication use in racehorses.

New York Legislation Calls for Salix Ban

A New York lawmaker said Sept. 13 he will introduce legislation banning use of "performance-enhancing drugs" such as the anti-bleeding medication furosemide, or Salix.

Officials Say Report Dispels Drug Criticism

Racing industry officials said a report that shows 99.5% of biological samples taken from racehorses and tested by laboratories in 2010 were "clean" dispels claims that horse racing is drug-ridden.

Waterman Named Arizona Racing Adviser

Dr. Scot Waterman, most recently executive director of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, has been hired as the first animal medication and welfare adviser for the Arizona Department of Racing.

Blog: Protecting the Brand - by Eric Mitchell

Having horses running on drugs is not sitting well with our fans

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Groups Draw Line in the Sand on Salix Ban

Horsemen's groups largely support proposed changes in race-day medication rules but are drawing a line in the sand when it comes to the anti-bleeding drug Salix.

NY Judge Rejects Certain Drug-Testing Rules

An acting New York State Supreme Court judge has ruled the New York Racing and Wagering Board regulations on out-of-competition testing "require nullification in their entirety."

'Medication-Free' Horse Racing Called Goal

The Jockey Club has reiterated its calls for a phased-in ban on the anti-bleeding medication Salix but made clear Aug. 14 it wants "medication-free" horse racing.

RMTC: Tighten Salix Rules, Ban Adjunct Drugs

An industry consortium supports administration of Salix by regulatory veterinarians only and a ban on adjunct bleeder drugs, but will continue to study a pilot program proposal to ban the use of race-day Salix in 2-year-olds.

Review Begins of Kentucky Medication Regs

Two panels of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission have begun the lengthy--and potentially contentious--process of reviewing and revising the state's medication regulations.

National HBPA: Keep Salix, Drop Adjunct Drugs

The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association said July 24 it supports elimination of race-day medication use with the exception of the anti-bleeding drug Salix.

RCI Panel: Class 1 Rank for Designer Drugs

The Association of Racing Commissioners International board of directors July 27 will consider a committee recommendation to categorize three designer drugs a Class 1--the most serious in racehorses.

Florida Salix Plan Called 'Terrible Mistake'

Gulfstream Park has not set a timetable for possible future contact with Florida racing regulators on chairman Frank Stronach's goal of phasing out use of legal race-day medications such as the anti-bleeding drug Salix.

Regulators to Discuss Race-Day Medication

An Association of Racing Commissioners International committee will meet July 26 to hear opinions and testimony on use of race-day medication in racehorses.

RMTC Sets Meeting to Discuss Race-Day Drugs

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium will, among other things, discuss proposals to phase out race-day medication use during its next meeting Aug. 4.

Medication Summit Called 'New Beginning'

A baby step toward progress was how organizers described the two-day International Race Day Medication Summit held June 13-14 at Belmont Park.

Education Early Focus of Medication Summit

Education was the primary mission of the June 13 International Summit on Race Day Medication, EIPH and the Racehorse held at Belmont Park in New York.

The Battle of Salix - By Eric Mitchell

The medication summit will shed plenty of light on how the U.S. can 
improve its policies.

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KY Drug Council Involved in Race-Day Issue

The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council, citing its statutory mission, will be involved in the debate over race-day medication, officials said May 25.

CANTER: Federal Drug Bill Needs Fine-Tuning

CANTER, a major placement program for retired Thoroughbred racehorses, said it supports in concept federal legislation calling for a ban on performance-enhancing drugs in racing but believes the language may be too broad.

Drug Summit Set for June 13-14 in New York

The first 'International Summit on Race Day Medication, EIPH and the Racehorse' has been scheduled for June 13-14 in New York City.

AAEP Urges Caution on Federal Drug Bill

The American Association of Equine Practitioners has expressed concern with "very broad language" in federal legislation geared toward use of performance-enhancing drugs in racehorses.

Trio of Owners Lobbying for Federal Drug Ban

A trio of owners are lobbying for a federal ban of race-day drug use.

Equine Drug Bill Introduced by Congressmen

Two members of Congress introduced legislation May 4 authorizing penalties for those caught using performance-enhancing drugs in racehorses.

It's Time to Draw the Line

U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) discuss medication.

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Feds May Step In on Race-Day Drug Use

A proposed federal bill would create a three-strikes-you're-out penalty system for anyone found guilty of racing a horse under the influence of a performance-enhancing drug.

Officials Confirm International Drug Summit

As expected the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium board of directors said April 20 it will join the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and American Association of Equine Practitioners in organizing a drug summit.

Keeneland: Use 'Pragmatic Approach' on Drugs

Keeneland said April 20 it supports "a pragmatic approach" in efforts that could lead to racing being conducted medication-free.

International Drug Summit Said to Be Planned

Industry organizations including the National Thoroughbred Racing Association will propose an international summit on equine medication this year in the wake of calls for the race-day ban of anti-bleeding drugs.