Pros and Cons of Federal Bill Discussed
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.
Alan Foreman
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Adoption of Penalty System Considered Key
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.
Foreman Believes in Science Behind Thresholds
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.
AQHA Suspends Penalty System Pending Review
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.
MJC Enacts House Rule on Joint Injections
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.
MJC Schedules Town Hall Meeting at Laurel
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.
Views Differ on Progress in Medication Reform
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.
RMTC: Uniform Drug Program Has Momentum
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.
Horse Fails Drug Tests in Consecutive Starts
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.
Testing Challenges Outlined at Law Conference
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.
RMTC Committee Approves GABA Threshold
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.
Federal Bill Expected for Drug Regulation
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.
NYTHA Has Plan to Deal With Election Protest
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.
'All Legal Options' on Table in NYTHA Dispute
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.
Horsemen's Groups Circle Wagons on Lasix
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.
Foreman: Pace of Drug Reform 'Unprecedented'
Alan Foreman responds to criticism that little progress has been made on medication reform.
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.
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