Foreman: Pace of Drug Reform 'Unprecedented'
Alan Foreman responds to criticism that little progress has been made on medication reform.
Alan Foreman
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PETA Makes Case; Medication Reforms Touted
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said it will "go away" if horse racing addresses its medication issues, and industry officials who have been trying to do just that suggest progress is evident but not recognized.
Mid-Atlantic Moves Forward With Drug Reform
Racing jurisdictions concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions are finding progress to be a subjective term: Much has been accomplished, but much remains to be done.
Booklet on MD Medication Guidelines Released
A booklet put together by several individuals at the forefront of equine medication reform has been prepared for Maryland, which will enact the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication and Drug-Testing Program Jan. 1, 2014.
Kentucky Steps Toward Medication Uniformity
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Dec. 11 approved changes to its withdrawal time guidelines for all racing breeds in line with the national uniform medication rules.
Drug Testing Not Without Its Challenges
Out-of-competition testing of racehorses has broad support, but important issues such as the constitutional rights of licensees has made use and enforcement difficult for regulators.
Slow Go on Mid-Atlantic Reform in Kentucky
If Kentucky is going to join the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication Reform's efforts to put uniform medication rules in place in each racing state, it's going to take some work and time.
Foreman: Drug Uniformity Won't Be Sidetracked
A major proponent for national uniform medication rules said Sept. 26 the move by the United States Trotting Association to drop out of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium won't derail the effort.
Mid-Atlantic Racing Series Gets Another Look
With more stability in racing dates in the Mid-Atlantic region, the chairman of the THA plans to hold a fact-finding meeting to see if there is interest in bringing back the MATCH series.
Uniform Drug Reform Discussed in Kentucky
An initial introduction in Kentucky of the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication Program received raised eyebrows, but supporters of the changes are encouraged that the important racing state is giving the program consideration.
RMTC Board Approves Model Rule on Penalties
- By Tom LaMarra
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium said July 19 its board of directors has approved a model rule on multiple violation penalties and forwarded the suggested change to racing commissioners for consideration.
Foreman: Drug Model Rule a 'Living Document'
- By Tom LaMarra
A horsemen's group official involved in development of the proposed model rule for multiple violation penalties said July 15 the regulations are a "living document" that probably will be adjusted based on industry needs.
Progress Cited on Medication Penalty System
- By Tom LaMarra
Racing organizations are moving ahead with plans to implement a points-driven penalty system for equine medication violations.
TOC Commits to Uniform Medication Program
The Thoroughbred Owners of California will join regulators from eight states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast by committing to implement the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication Program in January 2014.
Still No Uniform Medication in Triple Crown
While in recent years horse racing has made strides toward drug reform and uniform medication rules, one only need look at its biggest series, the Triple Crown, to see a lack of consistency.
Use of Calming Agent in Racehorses Examined
- By Tom LaMarra
The horse racing industry is taking a closer look at a relaxant that produces optimum results when administered within a few hours of a race. The prevalence of GABA, a supplement, is open to speculation.
RMTC Board Recommends Drug Withdrawal Times
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium board of directors adopted recommendations for thresholds and withdrawal times for four therapeutic medications at its March 19 meeting in Baltimore.
Eight States Commit to Uniform Drug Rules
The regulators of eight states in the Northeast region have committed to a uniform medication and drug testing program in a move supporters believe is a step toward uniform regulation of medication and drug testing.
WV Issues Support for Uniform Medication Plan
The West Virginia Racing Commission Feb. 26 approved a resolution agreeing in principle with the effort to bring uniform medication, penalty, and testing rules to racing jurisdictions in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Slideshow: Blood-Horse 2013 Impact Players
Twelve who are making a difference in the industry. View Slideshow
MD Leading Mid-Atlantic Uniform Drug Reform
The Maryland Racing Commission voted Feb. 19 to adopt a uniform equine medication, penalty, and testing program proposed for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racetracks throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Is Mid-Atlantic 'Template' for Drug Reform?
Industry stakeholders, mostly from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, met Feb. 6 in Delaware to examine equine medication policy in an attempt to bring about uniformity from state to state.
Maryland Groups Have 10-Year Deal for Racing
The key organizations in Maryland Thoroughbred racing announced Dec. 14 they have struck a 10-year-agreement for racing at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course.
Medication Reform Takes Step Toward Reality
With regulators and industry groups leading the charge, many horse racing stakeholders believe sweeping medication reform could become a reality in early 2013.
Maryland Tracks, Horsemen Given Deadline
Stalled on the cusp of a 10-year deal that could be the foundation for revitalizing the Maryland racing program, the state racing commission has issued a Nov. 30 deadline for the tracks and horsemen to reach a consensus.
Report: Deficiencies Had Role in Horse Deaths
A task force has determined the spate of fatal racehorse breakdowns at Aqueduct Racetrack this past winter was primarily the result of structural deficiencies in rules and regulations employed by NYRA and racing regulators.
Revised Drug Rules Have Provision for Salix
In a change designed to win support of its Reformed Racing Medication Rules, The Jockey Club has added a provision governing regulatory administration of furosemide on race day.
Maryland Racing Preparing for the Future
As the Maryland Jockey Club hosts its biggest day of racing this year -- the 137th Preakness Stakes (gr. I)--the state's horse industry is bracing for changes on the horizon that could redefine how racing is conducted.
Maryland THA Board Calls for Revote on Bylaws
The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association said May 7 it will hold another vote on proposed changes to its bylaws after its general counsel found a "flaw" in a vote taken during a special election April 30.
Race-Day Drugs, Regulation Discussed by Panel
The racing industry is closer to uniformity in drug regulations and penalties than many admit, but agreement on race-day anti-bleeding drugs in a "toxic" environment will require some heavy lifting, officials said May 2.
MD Groups Commit to Discuss Long-Term Plan
Maryland racing industry officials already have scheduled their first meeting to devise a long-term strategy for live racing in the state beyond 2012.
Horsemen's Group at Parx Racing Rejoins THA
The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, which represents horsemen at Parx Racing, is back under the umbrella of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, the parties said Dec. 14.
No Dates in Maryland, But Talks Continue
Maryland racing interests still hope to avoid repeating a situation a year ago that left Laurel Park without 2011 racing dates just a week before the meet was scheduled to begin.
State Hopes to Resolve Maryland Dates Fight
The administration of Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is again trying to resolve a racing dates dispute one horsemen's representative said could "potentially get very ugly."
Salix Among RMTC Board Meeting's Topics
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) board of directors heard important updates from the organization's race day medication, drug testing initiative (DTI), and research committees during a meeting Oct. 6.
Officials Say Report Dispels Drug Criticism
- By Tom LaMarra
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.
Ruling Could Affect Drug-Testing Regulations
A recent New York Supreme Court ruling invalidating that state's out-of-competition equine drug-testing could have implications in other jurisdictions and the Thoroughbred racing industry.
Groups Draw Line in the Sand on Salix Ban
- By Tom LaMarra
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.
Efforts Under Way to Revive MATCH Series
Efforts are under way to revive the Mid-Atlantic Championships Series, known as MATCH, perhaps in 2012, the program's founder said.
Rosecroft Seeks License; No Simulcast Deal
Penn National Gaming Inc. has submitted an application to the Maryland Racing Commission to resume operations at shuttered Rosecroft Raceway June 1.
Horsemen: Put Brakes on Race-Day Salix Ban
- By Tom LaMarra
The largest horsemen's groups in the country said they don't support a call by the Association of Racing Commissioners International for a five-year phase-out of race-day anti-bleeding medications.
MD Racing Makes Case for Shift in VLT Funds
The Maryland horse industry made its case March 15 for legislation that would shift gaming revenue from capital improvements to racetrack operations.
Stronach Wants Meeting With Maryland Horsemen
MI Developments chairman Frank Stronach has offered to meet with Maryland horsemen in the wake of a Maryland Racing Commission meeting at which MID and partner Penn National Gaming Inc. were criticized.
MD Industry's 2011 Legislative Plan Uncertain
The Maryland General Assembly convenes Jan. 12 for a session expected to include aid for horse racing, but action on the expansion of gambling is questionable.
Parameters of Maryland Agreement Discussed
The Maryland Jockey Club will receive more than $5 million for operations under the parameters of a negotiated agreement that will maintain a full 146-day live Thoroughbred racing schedule in the state.
Maryland Has 2011 Dates; Commission OKs Plan
Maryland racing interests and governor's office will announce later Dec. 22 that a deal has been reached to offer a full 146-day live racing schedule in the state.
Chaos, Mistrust in Maryland as Clock Ticks
A horsemen's representative acknowledged Dec. 21 there's still a little more than a week to get a racing schedule in place in Maryland for 2011, but he said chances are slim if the situation isn't resolved before Christmas.
Still No Live Racing Schedule in Maryland
There still is no live racing schedule for 2011 in Maryland after a Dec. 21 meeting of the Maryland Racing Commission.
MJC Plan Rejected; Laurel, Pimlico in Limbo
Racing in Maryland for 2011 is in limbo after the Maryland Racing Commission Nov. 29 rejected a plan submitted by the Maryland Jockey Club and also rejected owner MI Developments' plan to sell 49% of the tracks to PNGI.
Maryland Horsemen Fighting for Race Dates
With a Dec. 1 deadline on racing dates looming, Maryland horsemen are advocating a schedule similar to that of 2010 even though a shutdown of Laurel Park for live racing and training is on the table.
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