Supporters of federal legislation that aims to improve horse racing's integrity and uniformity on medication rules reached a milestone June 22 when a Congressional subcommittee considered the legislation in Washington.
Sure, the season's second classic will highlight the weekend's racing, but the Preakness Stakes (G1), as the Mid-Atlantic region's biggest race of the year, also provides some attention to the relaunch of the MATCH Series.
The revival of the widely acclaimed MATCH SERIES (Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships) gained further momentum this morning with the announcement that the region's breeders organizations will pay bonuses.
In a panel discussion on uniformity at the ARCI conference on equine welfare and racing integrity April 5 in Hot Springs, Ark., it was clear that significant differences remain on how to achieve uniformity.
The Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and its affiliates in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania announced Feb. 20 it would revive the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championship (MATCH Series) this season after a 16-year hiatus.
The Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and National Thoroughbred Racing Association will jointly host a legislative update for THA members to provide details on the new federal tax bill.
The Jockey Club plans to actively oppose changes to the current multiple medication violation penalty system currently on the agenda for the Association of Racing Commissioners International Model Rules Committee Dec. 8 in Tucson, Ariz.
Looking at proposed changes being considered for the multiple medication violation penalty system (MMV), it's not readily clear how these changes—when you just look at factors like reduced points for some infractions—would play out in the real world.
The Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association on Nov. 30, launched its much anticipated website designed to provide a one-stop shop for important information, news, features, and commentary.
The Maryland Racing Commission on Oct. 19 adopted the Association of Racing Commissioners International model rules on medication penalties—rules that most observers thought the commission had adopted back in 2014.
The pros and cons of federal legislation that would grant the United States Anti-Doping Agency oversight of equine medication and drug testing were discussed yet again Aug. 9.
Of the four parts of the National Uniform Medication Program, the multiple medication violation penalty system has been adopted by the lowest number of jurisdictions. But one official April 11 said he expects that to change.
Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association chairman Alan Foreman is confident a 2015 decision not to pursue a medication overage case against trainer Todd Pletcher won't negatively impact the National Uniform Medication Program.
The American Quarter Horse Association said it remains committed to addressing misuse of medication in racing but a need for more resources has led it to suspend use of its multiple medication violation system pending review.
The Maryland Jockey Club has enacted a house rule for the Laurel Park meet that requires trainers of claimed horses to report joint injections administered in the previous 30 days.
The Maryland Jockey Club will host a town hall meeting with industry leaders Nov. 20 to share and discuss its vision for the future of the Maryland Thoroughbred industry.
The opening panel Aug. 11 at the Saratoga Institute on Racing, Equine, and Gaming Law conference set the tone for what figures to be a continued industry battle over federal versus state-by-state regulation.
An effort that began in the Mid-Atlantic region more than two years ago has made "significant progress," according to the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.
F and F Stable's Best Play failed drug tests in back-to-back starts for trainer Luis Miranda in late 2014 and early 2015, a circumstance New York's state steward said he can't recall ever previously happening.
Kentucky Horse Racing Commission general counsel Susan Speckert outlined industry challenges regarding testing labs April 29 at the National Conference on Equine Law in Lexington.
The executive committee of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) has approved a uniform testing threshold of 110 parts per billion (ppb) in blood for the naturally occurring amino acid gamma-aminobutyric acid.
Racing industry officials said they again expect to see federal legislation filed this year that would authorize the United States Anti-Doping Agency to oversee equine medication and drug testing procedures.
The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association board of directors has a four-part plan to address an objection of its November election results by presidential candidate Terry Finley.
An attorney for Terry Finley said "all legal options" are on the table in his client's quest to seek a new election for president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
In response to several top trainers calling for the end of race-day furosemide, horsemen's groups throughout the country say they will continue to support the use of the diuretic to prevent or reduce the severity of EIPH.
Alan Foreman responds to criticism that little progress has been made on medication reform.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Racing organizations are moving ahead with plans to implement a points-driven penalty system for equine medication violations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Twelve who are making a difference in the industry.
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.
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.
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.
With regulators and industry groups leading the charge, many horse racing stakeholders believe sweeping medication reform could become a reality in early 2013.
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.
