support materials for joe de francis coalition of horse ... · 6. the coalition supports the u.s....

Support Materials for Joe De Francis Coalition of Horse Racing Integrity

October 26, 2015 Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity FAQ Why Support Coalition for Horseracing Integrity? Horseplayers, Fans, Animal Welfare Supporters & Public Super-Majorities Favor Uniform National Drug Testing and Enforcement 'Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity’ Formed to Advocate for Uniform Drug Testing and Enforcement Veterinarian Group Joins Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Join CHRI Three leading racetracks join Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity Consignors & Commercial Breeders Association Joins CHRI Centaur gaming joins Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity Arapahoe Park Joins Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity International Federation of Horseracing Authorities Joins Coalition for Horse Racing Keeneland Association, Inc. Joins Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity The Jockey Club of Canada Joins Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity Six More Members of the House Lend Support to Barr-Tonko Bill Coalition for Horseracing Integrity Welcomes Six New Congressional Supporters

Governor Steven L. Beshear — Governor of Kentucky remarks from the Sixty-Third Annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, The Role of Government in Racing Horse racing needs an independent anti-doping agency Horseplayers Support USADA Oversight GORAJEC: BARR-TONKO BILL ONLY PATH TOWARD UNIFORMITY Racing board out of bounds with firing Stricter racehorse doping regulations are key to maintaining integrity of sport

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Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity FAQ Q. Who are the members of the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity?

A. Our coalition is made up of stakeholders from inside and outside the Thoroughbred industry who are acting in the

best long-term interest of the sport:

Major Thoroughbred racing organizations – Breeders’ Cup Ltd., Consignors and Breeders Association, the International

Federation of Horseracing Authorities, The Jockey Club, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, Kentucky Thoroughbred

Owners and Breeders;

Racetracks from around the country – Arapahoe Park, Centaur Gaming, Keeneland Association, Inc., Meadowlands

Racetrack, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs;

Animal welfare groups – The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association;

And the Water Hay Oats Alliance, which is 1,000 members strong.

You can learn more about our coalition on the About Us page.

Q. How long has the coalition been in the works?

A. Many of us have been working on these issues for decades. However, we decided to form a coalition once we saw

the legislation would likely be introduced in Congress.

Q. What are our goals?

A. We support the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 that would encourage the adoption of a national,

uniform standard for drugs and medication in American Thoroughbred racing, and the granting of rule making, testing

and enforcement oversight to an entity created by the U.S. Anti Doping Agency. In a sport built on the integrity of

competition, nothing is more important than a level playing field for the horses, jockeys and trainers who compete, as

well as the fans who wager on the races.

Q. Are you recruiting other members?

A. We are in discussions with several organizations within and outside the industry. Anyone who believes in the

integrity of clean sport and the best welfare of the horses that compete are invited to support our coalition and join

with us to support national, independent testing and enforcement should visit our site and contact their member of

Congress.

Q. Will the proposed legislation create a new federal governmental entity to regulate drugs and medication in

Thoroughbred racing?

A. No. This is not about creating new governmental agencies or providing for ongoing government oversight. It’s

about supporting legislation that would grant independent authority over rule making, testing and enforcement

oversight regarding drugs and medication to an entity created by U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA) – a national,

independent, non-governmental organization with a proven track record of creating uniform standards and science-

based oversight to protect the rights of clean competitors and the integrity of competition.

Q. Why is it necessary to create a new, national independent authority over rule making, testing and enforcement

oversight regarding drugs and medication?

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http://www.horseracingintegrity.com/content.aspx?page=About

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3084/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22thoroughbred+horseracing+integrity+act%22%5D%7D

http://www.horseracingintegrity.com/composeletters.aspx?AlertID=28

http://www.horseracingintegrity.com/composeletters.aspx?AlertID=28

A. Despite its national and international scope, modern Thoroughbred racing is still being conducted under outdated

state-by-state drug and medication rules –creating confusion and risk for owners and trainers whose horses’ race

across state lines, and inconsistency for bettors who want to be able to fairly evaluate horses. It’s clear that when it

comes to medication, the industry can’t both promote and police the sport. Only a national, independent, non-

governmental organization like the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency can create and maintain a system that protects horses

and the future of Thoroughbred horse racing for all of our participants and fans.

Q. What is USADA’s role, specifically?

A. This will be a collaborative effort. Among the provisions in the legislation, USADA would create an independent,

non-governmental nonprofit governed by a board comprised of USADA representatives and representatives from the

Thoroughbred industry. The legislation calls for an 18-month study period, during which time USADA will partner with

experts from throughout Thoroughbred racing to learn from their experience and perspectives before establishing

new rules and standards. Their collaborative expertise and experience will enable the creation and maintenance of a

robust anti-doping program that is based on established science and best practices and will ensure the highest levels

of integrity.

Q. How is USADA qualified to take on this challenge?

A. While the physiological makeup of horses and humans are different, the need and method for effective testing

protocols, uniform standards and penalties, as well as proper lab accreditation, is the same. No entity is more

qualified than USADA to establish an entity to create a robust program that can protect the rights of competitors and

the integrity of competition.

Q. Is this legislation really necessary?

A. We commend all of the good work by our state racing commissioners and regulators. However, national uniform

medication reforms have been implemented unevenly – leaving patchwork systems in place that have created a wide

disparity in the effectiveness of medication testing and enforcement. While well meaning, this has negatively

impacted the perception of fair competition across the sport, and has done little to build confidence in the minds of

our sport’s fans and critics, many of whom are concerned about drug use and testing.

Q. When you say that there aren’t uniform regulations in place, what do you mean?

A. We do not have uniform medication rules, testing rules and procedures, lab accreditation, and enforcement

procedures in place in every racing jurisdiction in the United States, or even in all of the major racing jurisdictions. We

also do not have a system in place that can react quickly and uniformly throughout the nation to address the latest

new drug being used by those who would cheat to gain an unfair advantage.

Q. Does this proposed legislation call for the ban of Lasix?

A. The legislation grants authority over all medications, race-day included, to an entity created by the U.S. Anti-

Doping Agency.

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Why Support Coalition for Horseracing Integrity?

Here are the Top 10 Reasons

1. The Coalition supports drug and medication reforms that will level the playing field for everyone

invested in horse racing – our horses, jockeys, trainers, owners, and especially the fans that

wager their hard earned money.

2. The Coalition will make sure that the health and well-being of Thoroughbred horses is the

industry’s priority. Creating a system of uniform drug testing will ensure that we put the welfare

of our horses first.

3. With 50% of horses racing in more than one state, today’s outdated patchwork of medication

regulations makes horse racing complicated for trainers, owners, and

veterinarians. Legislation supported by the Coalition will modernize the current system, create

uniform standards across state lines, and provide much-needed certainty for the sport.

4. We are the only major racing jurisdiction in the world without uniform drug and medication

rules. The U.S. desperately needs to catch up with the high standards and practices of the rest of

the Thoroughbred horse racing world.

5. Other sports have faced similar challenges – and with remarkable consistency, have found a

solution – integrating a truly independent, 3rd party organization to oversee their drug testing

programs. These sports leagues and organizations realized that no matter how well intentioned,

they can not solve the issue of drug testing and enforcement on their own and be seen as

credible by both the sport’s participants and fans.

6. The Coalition supports the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) as Thoroughbred horse racing’s

designated rulemaking and enforcement agency because of its proven track record of protecting

the integrity of competition from athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs, such as the

Olympics and Tour de France. Only a national, independent and science-based group like

USADA has the experience, credibility, and national reach to address this issue.

7. The Coalition is the first group to present not only a consensus among the diverse members of

the horse racing community, but active participation as well. The Coalition for Horse Racing

Integrity promotes pragmatic solutions to achieving a common goal – the creation of uniform

drug and medicine regulations for our sport.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3084/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22thoroughbred+horseracing+integrity+act%22%5D%7D

8. The legislation endorsed by the Coalition does not create a new governmental agency and

specifically prohibits the use of taxpayer funds to set up the new drug testing program. The new

regulatory body would be funded entirely by the industry, not by the federal government or

fans.

9. The reforms supported by the Coalition would present a smooth transition for the industry. The

list of substances regulated by USADA will initially be aligned with the Association of Racing

Commissioners International (RCI) Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances. As

USADA’s oversight phases in, other substances will be considered via their scientific review

rulemaking process.

10. This legislation is critical to rebuilding the reputation of horse racing among casual fans and

horse lovers, and attracting new owners, sponsors, and fans.

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Horseplayers, Fans, Animal Welfare Supporters & Public

Super-Majorities Favor Uniform National Drug Testing and Enforcement

Across every audience there are super-majorities in support of USADA- led uniform medication rules and national oversight in Thoroughbred racing, according to two recent polls by the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity. The surveys assessed perceptions of the Thoroughbred horseracing industry and probed support for national uniform medication reform among horseracing bettors who regularly wager on races and among the general public including likely voters, horseracing fans, and those people who are especially concerned about animal welfare issues. The Horseplayers who drive the economics of racing most concerned about performance-enhancing drugs and bet less today as a result Bettors, whose wagering is the economic lifeblood of the sport, are deeply concerned about performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). Drugs and integrity issues are two of the top three issues facing the sport according to bettors. When asked whether a variety of descriptive terms applied to the sport, nine in ten bettors associated horseracing with “drugs” (91%) or “doping / PEDs,” (90%).

Indeed, more than four in five bettors (83%) say there were racetracks or states that they avoid and 77% of horseracing bettors consider the possibility of illegal drug use when handicapping. Among those who form an opinion about whether trainers are using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), three in five (60%) say they typically bet less on the race, compared with less than one in twenty (4%) who say they bet more. The broader public also is concerned about drug in horseracing. Almost as many members of the general public say they associate horseracing with “doping/PEDs” (44%) as say they have a favorable view of Thoroughbred horseracing (47%).

National polls demonstrates strong support for USADA, an independent, science-based entity to provide uniform medication rules and oversight

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Universal support for uniform medication rules among bettors & fans Two in three (67%) horseracing bettors have heard about efforts to establish uniform medication rules. There is much less awareness among the general public, with only about one in six (17%) who have heard a lot or some about efforts to establish uniform medication rules.

The notion of nationally uniform medication rules is an extremely popular one. Fully 90% of adults support having all states work from the same set of medication rules and the more an audience knows about horseracing the more they favor uniform medication rules. An extraordinary 96% majority of horseracing fans and virtually all (98%) of horseracing bettors agree that all racing states should work from the same set of medication rules. Rapid adoption of uniform medication rules matters also. 92% of horseracing bettors say they want to see uniform medication policies happen faster than they are happening now.

Super-majorities of all parties favor USADA-led independent & science-based oversight of thoroughbred racing drug and medication policies Nationwide, super-majorities support USADA providing uniform medication rules and oversight, enabled through federal legislation. Fully five in six likely voters (85%) support legislation to enable a third party organization as do 91% of animal welfare supporters and an identical 91% of horseracing fans. Seven in ten horseracing bettors (72%) support the proposal as well.

Finally, support for meaningful and national drug testing cuts across all the usual partisan divides. Republican (81%), Democrat (86%), and independents (87%) all strongly support USADA-provided autonomous oversight.

83% of Americans favor Legislation to create an oversight role for USADA, an independent science-based organization, to provide

uniform medication and PED regulation across all racing jurisdictions including:

91% of horseracing fans 91% of animal welfare supporters 85% of likely voters

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Methodology Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) conducted two separate surveys on behalf of the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity. The two surveys had different questionnaires, but some items overlapped between the studies.

Penn Schoen Berland conducted online interviews among n=1,226 American adults ages 18+ on March 31- April 7, 2015. The margin of error for this study is +/-2.80 % at the 95% confidence level and larger for subgroups.

PSB also conducted online interviews among n= 396 known bettors or handicappers, contacted from a select industry email list of proven horseplayers on April 27-May 6, 2015. The margin of error for this study is +/- 4.92% at the 95% confidence level for bettors and larger for subgroups.

Some percentages may add to more or less than 100% due to rounding.

Detailed results, including specific audience definitions, can be found at the Coalition for Horseracing Integrity’s website (www.horseracingintegrity.com).

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http://www.horseracingintegrity.com/

'Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity’ Formed to Advocate for Uniform Drug Testing and Enforcement May 29, 2015 – A diverse group of horse racing and animal welfare organizations today announced the launch of a coalition to

support uniform medication standards for Thoroughbred racing and the formal introduction of proposed legislation that would

grant independent authority over rule-making, testing and enforcement oversight to an entity created by the U.S. Anti Doping

Agency (USADA).

The groups will work with Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) and other lawmakers to file common-sense legislation to bring long-needed reforms to horse racing.

The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (www.horseracingintegrity.com) is comprised of two major Thoroughbred

racing organizations (Breeders’ Cup Ltd. and The Jockey Club), an animal welfare group (The Humane Society of the

United States), with grassroots support from the more than 1,000 members of the Water Hay Oats Alliance.

The House bill will be known as the Thoroughbred Horse Racing Anti-Doping Act of 2015.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency administers the anti-doping programs – including education, sample collection, results

management and drug reference resources – for athletes in U.S. Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Sport, including all Olympic sport national governing bodies, their athletes and events throughout the year.

“It is USADA’s hope that the model of independence and national harmonization envisioned through this legislation

can be realized for the long term good of this sport,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “As we have done with other

sports, USADA would be focused on creating a robust program that can protect the rights of competitors and the integrity of competition.”

“In a sport built on the integrity of competition, nothing is more important than a level playing field for the horses,

jockeys, trainers, owners that compete and for the fans who wager on our sport,” said Arthur Hancock III, co-founder

of the grassroots organization WHOA. “The creation of this coalition now provides all interested parties with a unique

opportunity to support a single, national approach to medication, drug testing and penalties with strong, independent oversight and enforcement."

“It is time for key stakeholders to come together and find solutions to protect equine athletes on the track and to turn

around the problem of widespread doping of horses to enhance performance and to get injured horses into the

starting gate,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of The Humane Society of the United States.

“The number of breakdowns in American racing should be unacceptable to any person concerned about the welfare of horses.”

Among the provisions in the proposed legislation by U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY), USADA would create

the Thoroughbred Horseracing Anti-Doping Organization (THADO), an independent, non governmental non-profit

governed by a board comprised of six USADA board members and five independent individuals from the

Thoroughbred racing industry. This organization would work collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country.

THADO would develop and administer a nationwide anti-doping program that would go into effect beginning January 1, 2017, following input from the Thoroughbred industry and the public.

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The horse racing industry has been working to advance better rules pertaining to drugs, drug testing and penalties through National Uniform Medication Program (NUMP) on a state-by-state basis.

"The racing industry has taken thoughtful and significant steps toward medication reform in recent years and we

believe that the creation of this coalition demonstrates widespread support for further changes, changes that can be

made in a more timely fashion,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “We deeply appreciate Congressmen Tonko’s willingness to help us bring about reform.”

The Coalition also credited the efforts of Congressmen Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Joe Pitts (R-PA) and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) who have been on the forefront of efforts to reform the current medication system.

“Without the leadership of Congressmen Whitfield, Congressmen Pitts and Senator Udall, the industry may not have

taken this problem head on,” said Gagliano. “This new coalition wants to bring all lawmakers interested in racing

reform together and find a common solution that will further ensure the safety of our athletes and the integrity of our sport for our participants and our fans.”

“The current system of state-by-state regulation of medication across 38 states has inherent inefficiencies and a

newer, modern and efficient approach is vital to the growth of our sport,” said Craig Fravel, president and chief

executive officer of Breeders’ Cup Ltd. “We are pleased to partner in support of this legislation and we look forward to adding more coalition members in the weeks and months to come.”

Millions of people participate annually in American Thoroughbred racing as owners, trainers, veterinarians and

industry support professionals, and as fans and bettors. The industry contributes $25 billion to the U.S. economy

annually and generates 380,000 domestic jobs, with 38 states participating in pari-mutuel racing and American thoroughbreds traveling and racing overseas in Europe and on growing racing circuits in Asia and the Middle East.

Additional information, including stories from supporters and ways to contact Congressional members to express

support for this legislation, is available at www.horseracingintegrity.com

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Veterinarian Group Joins Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity June 23, 2015 – The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity has announced that the Humane Society Veterinary Medical

Association (HSVMA) will join the Coalition in its advocacy efforts to protect the health and well-being of Thoroughbred

racehorses. Alongside Coalition members like The Jockey Club, the Water Hay Oats Alliance, Breeders’ Cup, and the Humane

Society of the United States, the HSVMA has affirmed its support for national oversight of uniform medication standards.

“It is time to rein in the excessive use of racehorse medication and finally modernize the state-by-state patchwork

regulatory system in place today,” said Barry Kellogg, VMD, senior veterinary advisor for HSVMA. “With a uniform

standards, testing and oversight, veterinarians who devote their careers to the welfare and humane care of

racehorses can be confident that the system will work in the best interest of the animals.”

The Coalition will work with Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) and other lawmakers to bring long-needed reforms to

medication administration, testing and enforcement in competitive horse racing. It is the first group to draw the active

support of the horse racing industry’s diverse membership – a distinction largely earned in response to its

commitment to the health and well-being of Thoroughbred horses.

Additional information, including stories from supporters and ways to contact congressional members to express

support for this legislation, is available at www.horseracingintegrity.com.

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Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Join CHRI June 24, 2015 - The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity is pleased to announce today that the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders (KTA/KTOB) have joined as members, adding to the wave of support for national oversight of uniform medication standards in Thoroughbred racing. The Coalition’s membership also includes The Jockey Club, the Water Hay Oats Alliance, Breeders’ Cup, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association.

“The Thoroughbred horse breeding and racing industry is a major part of Kentucky’s economy and rich history, and

we believe consistent medication administration and enforcement regulations are necessary to preserve this

tradition,” said Chauncey Morris, executive director of KTA. “Our directors appreciate the fact that the Coalition and

its legislative partners have considered our input and will ensure that industry oversight is tough, fair, and

accountable for implementing an effective and efficient anti-doping program, and they voted unanimously on June 17

to support the legislation. The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity has produced the best solution yet for a path

forward for this great American sport.”

The Coalition supports legislation that will direct the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to create an independent,

Thoroughbred racing-specific, non-governmental and non-profit organization to work collaboratively with state racing

commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country. KTA/KTOB has already played an integral

role in advocating for effectiveness and accountability reviews to ensure that these reforms are successfully

implemented, as well as in encouraging further industry collaboration on costs, violations, and penalties.

“We are immensely proud to welcome the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association into our ranks,” said James L.

Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “The growth of the Coalition points to the

importance of our goal – modernizing horse racing’s drug and medication regulations to provide certainty and safety

for our participants and fans.”

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders are a horseman’s group

and trade association representing the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry in Kentucky. Kentucky is the

biggest producer of Thoroughbred foals in the world, responsible for 34 percent of the U.S. foal crop, the largest

concentration of stallions, veterinary practices and breeding farms, and is home to the leading yearling and breeding

stock sales, premier race meetings at Keeneland and the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, and year-round racing

at Turfway Park, Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs.

Millions of people participate annually in American Thoroughbred racing as owners, trainers, veterinarians, and

industry support professionals, and as fans and bettors. The industry contributes $25 billion to the U.S. economy

annually and generates 380,000 domestic jobs, with 38 states participating in pari-mutuel racing.

Additional information, including stories from supporters and ways to contact Congressional members to express

support for this legislation, is available at www.horseracingintegrity.com.

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Three leading racetracks join Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity September 1, 2015 – The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity announced today that three of the leading horse racing

tracks owned and operated by Jeff Gural – the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, N.J., Tioga Downs in

Nichols, N.Y. and Vernon Downs in Vernon, N.Y. – have joined as members, adding to the growing support for

national oversight of uniform medication standards in American horse racing.

“Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs are all known for having the highest testing standards possible,”

said Gural. “We currently do our own out of competition testing and surveillance at our expense. We have utilized the

Hong Kong Jockey Club Laboratories as well as others, and despite the current efforts of the states we have been

able to detect illegal performance enhancing medication in horses entered at our facilities. We believe that national

oversight is the only way to ensure that everyone is playing fairly and that our animals are not subject to potentially

harmful medications. Our tracks are proud to join the Coalition and we hope that our participation will help broaden

these positive reforms to encompass Standardbred horseracing. The implementation of uniform policies throughout

the U.S. and an industry-based, non-governmental solution will only help us grow the popularity and credibility of the sport and ultimately establish a level playing field across the board.”

The Coalition has already played an integral role in advocating for effectiveness and accountability reviews to ensure

that uniform medication testing and enforcement regulations are successfully implemented throughout the United States’ 38 racing jurisdictions.

Jeff Gural is the CEO of American Racing and Entertainment, LLC and chairman of commercial real estate firm

Newmark Grubb Knight Frank. He is a longtime proponent of medication reform and enhanced drug testing in American horse racing.

The Coalition – whose membership also includes the Breeders’ Cup Ltd., the Humane Society of the United States,

the Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association, The Jockey Club, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the

Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders, and the Water Hay Oats Alliance – supports the Thoroughbred

Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015. This bill, introduced in July 2015 to the House of Representatives by Congressmen

Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY), will direct the non-governmental, non-profit U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to

create an independent, racing-specific, non-governmental and non-profit organization to work collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country.

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Consignors & Commercial Breeders Association Joins CHRI September 8, 2015 – The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity announced today that the Consigners and Commercial

Breeders Association (CBA), the trade group for buyers and sellers of racehorses in the U.S., has joined as a

member. The addition of the CBA and its members to the Coalition follows closely the addition of Meadowlands

Racetrack, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs just last week – evidence of the continuing momentum for national

oversight of uniform medication standards in American horse racing.

In a statement provided to the Coalition by the CBA Board of Directors, the organization said “We support the goal of

the Coalition, and the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 - to replace the current, fragmented state-by-

state regulatory system with one set of rules and penalties overseen by an independent third party, the U.S. Anti-

Doping Agency. While we recognize that there are still details to be decided we noted two areas of specific

importance to us: The governing board must include experienced industry stakeholders and the IHA should not be opened in word or operation. These are important provisions which our members are glad to see included in the bill.”

The CBA represents a large majority of the top 20 consignors and an overwhelming majority of breeders and

consignors who sell at public auction in Kentucky to provide a constructive, unified voice related to sales issues, policies, and procedures.

The board further explained, “Our Association’s initiatives are designed to encourage a fair and expanding

marketplace for all who breed, buy, or sell thoroughbreds. We feel the implementation of the Thoroughbred

Horseracing Integrity Act will create an expanding marketplace by addressing an important issue in our industry. If successful, the popularity of racing will increase and our marketplace will grow.”

The Coalition is the leading advocacy group for effectiveness and accountability in American horse racing, with the

goal of implementing uniform medication testing and enforcement regulations throughout the United States’ 38 racing jurisdictions.

The Coalition – whose membership also includes the Breeders’ Cup Ltd., the Humane Society of the United States,

the Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association, The Jockey Club, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the

Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders, Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs and the Water

Hay Oats Alliance – supports the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015. This bill, introduced in July 2015 to

the House of Representatives by Congressmen Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY), will direct the non-

governmental, non-profit U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to create an independent, racing-specific, non-governmental and

non-profit organization to work collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country.

Additional information, including stories from supporters and ways to contact Congressional members to express support for this legislation, is available at www.horseracingintegrity.com.

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Centaur gaming joins Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity September 10, 2015 – The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity announced today that Centaur Gaming – which owns

and operates Indiana-based Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, Indiana Grand Racing & Casino and several off-track

betting facilities – has joined as a member. Following the addition of the Consignors and Commercial Breeders

Association (CBA) earlier this week and three New York- and New Jersey-based tracks just last week, the move

indicates continued momentum for national oversight of uniform medication standards in American horse racing.

“Centaur Gaming is absolutely dedicated to bringing the highest quality and best experience possible to racing

enthusiasts and bettors in Indiana and throughout the Midwest,” said Centaur Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Rod Ratcliff. “The legislation endorsed by the Coalition would not only increase fairness for the men and women who

wager their hard-earned dollars on racing, but would preserve the future of a sport around which our industry is built.

Centaur Gaming and the racetracks, casinos and OTB facilities we represent are proud to join the Coalition in its efforts toward the uniform regulation of medication testing and enforcement in horse racing.”

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino has been selected by the Hambletonian Society to host the prestigious Breeders

Crown championship Harness races in 2017. Pending approval by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission and

Indiana Standardbred Association, the track would host the 12 year-end championship races, worth a combined $5 million.

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino conducts Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing at its track in Shelbyville Indiana, home of the Indiana Derby and Indiana Oaks, both annual grade II races.

The Coalition – whose membership also includes the Breeders’ Cup Ltd., the Consignors and Commercial Breeders

Association, the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association, The

Jockey Club, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders, the

Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, and the Water Hay Oats Alliance – supports the

Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015. This bill, introduced in July 2015 to the House of Representatives by

Congressmen Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY), will direct the non-governmental, non-profit U.S. Anti-

Doping Agency to create an independent, racing-specific, non-governmental and non-profit organization to work collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country.


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Arapahoe Park Joins Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity September 24, 2015 – The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity announced today that Arapahoe Park has joined as a

member. The addition of the racetrack, based in Arapahoe County, Colo., follows that of tracks from New York, New

Jersey and Indiana, demonstrating a steady growth of support for national oversight of uniform medication

standards.

“Arapahoe Park is proud to stand with the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity in its efforts to establish a higher

standard of excellence for Thoroughbred racing in Colorado and throughout the country,” said Arapahoe Park

Executive Director Bruce Seymore. “Its goals are the same as ours – to bring clean racing to the fans and bettors that

are the lifeblood of this sport, and to create and protect jobs in the horse racing industry.”

Arapahoe Park, which is owned and operated by Mile High Racing and Entertaining, hosts Thoroughbred, Quarter

Horse, and Arabian horse racing in Aurora, Colo. The Coalition – whose membership also includes the Breeders’ Cup Ltd., Centaur Gaming, the Consignors and Commercial Breeders Association, the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association, The Jockey Club, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders, the Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, and the Water Hay Oats Alliance – supports the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015. This bill, introduced in July 2015 to the House of Representatives by Congressmen Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY), will direct the non-governmental, non-profit U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to create an independent, racing-specific, non-governmental and non-profit organization to work collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country.

Additional information, including stories from supporters and ways to contact Congressional members to express support for this

legislation, is available at www.horseracingintegrity.com.

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https://www.democracydirect.com/DDirectWebApps/ContentManager/www.horseracingintegrity.com

International Federation of Horseracing Authorities Joins Coalition for Horse Racing October 8, 2015 – The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity announced today that the International Federation of

Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has joined the Coalition, expressing its support for the Thoroughbred Horseracing

Integrity Act of 2015.

The IFHA strives to coordinate and harmonize the rules of its 62 member countries regarding breeding, racing and

wagering in a manner that ensures the quality and fairness of racing and protects the welfare of horses and jockeys.

This bill, introduced in July 2015 to the House of Representatives by Congressmen Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko

(D-NY) and formally known as H.R. 3084, will direct the non-governmental, non-profit U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to

create an independent, racing-specific, non-governmental and non-profit organization to work collaboratively with

state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country.

“Creating a uniform system for the regulation of medications in American horse racing is of critical importance,” said

Louis Romanet, chairman of the IFHA. “The international horse racing community must work together if we are to

achieve high standards in testing and enforcement of our equine athletes to protect their health and ensure a safe

environment.

“Since its creation, the IFHA has sought to protect the integrity, quality and fairness of horse racing worldwide in the

interest of both the horses and the general public,” Romanet said. “We believe that the goal of this legislation is very

much in line with our mission.”

The IFHA was founded in 1993 to promote proper regulation and best practices on international horse racing matters.

The organization produces the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering, a voluntary agreement

designed for use by recognized racing and breeding authorizes, as well as statistics concerning breeding, racing and

betting.

It held its 49th annual conference on Monday, October 5 at the offices of France Galop in Paris with delegates from

52 countries and a number of racing executives and journalists in attendance.

The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity supports the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 and its

membership now includes Arapahoe Park, Breeders’ Cup Ltd., Consignors and Commercial Breeders Association,

Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association, the International Federation

of Horseracing Authorities, The Jockey Club, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners

& Breeders, Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, and the Water Hay Oats Alliance.


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Keeneland Association, Inc. Joins Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity October 8, 2015 – Following the announcement Thursday that Keeneland Association Inc. has joined the Coalition for Horse

Racing Integrity as a member and supports the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015, the Coalition released the

following statement:

“The addition of one of the nation’s premier Thoroughbred race tracks to the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity is another

welcome demonstration of the industry’s growing commitment to uniformity. Our shared goal is to ensure that we have a strong,

credible medication oversight system that further ensures the safety of our athletes and enhances the confidence of our

participants and fans.”

The Coalition – whose membership also includes Arapahoe Park, the Breeders’ Cup Ltd., Centaur Gaming, the Consignors and

Commercial Breeders Association, the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Veterinary Medicine

Association, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), The Jockey Club, the Kentucky Thoroughbred

Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders, the Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, and

the Water Hay Oats Alliance – supports H.R. 3084, also known as the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015.

This bill, introduced in July 2015 to the House of Representatives by Congressmen Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY),

will direct the non-governmental, non-profit U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to create an independent, racing-specific, non-

governmental and non-profit organization to work collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff

members throughout the country.



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The Jockey Club of Canada Joins Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity October 26, 2015 – The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity announced today the Jockey Club of Canada (JCC) has joined as a member. The JCC is the second international racing group to join the coalition, bringing additional support from another jurisdiction which has already implemented the type of uniform, high standards for medication testing and enforcement that supporters seek to achieve in the United States. “The border between Canada and the U.S. is one crossed by thousands of racehorses each year,” said Jeff Begg, Chief Steward of the Jockey Club of Canada. “The members of the Jockey Club of Canada are eager to see medication reforms in the U.S. that will provide certainty and a level playing field no matter what state or track they’re headed to.” The Jockey Club of Canada oversees the Thoroughbred breeding registry and graded stakes racing in Canada, and is responsible for the annual Sovereign Awards program and the Canadian Graded Stakes Committee. JCC represents Canada at the annual International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities Conference. The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity supports the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015, which would authorize an independent, racing-specific, non-governmental and non-profit organization to create uniform, high standards in drug and medication testing and enforcement for Thoroughbred horse racing. The coalition’s membership includes major racing organizations, animal welfare groups, racing and wagering facilities and a grassroots organization with over 1,100 owners, trainers, breeders, and racing professionals.


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Six More Members of the House Lend Support to Barr-Tonko Bill October 13, 2015 – The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI) announced today that six additional members of the U.S.

House of Representatives have signed on in support of the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 (THIA). They are

Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Susan Brooks (R-IN), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), David Joyce (R-OH), Jerold Nadler (D-

NY), and Joe Wilson (R-SC).

“The growing number of co-sponsors supporting this bill is an illustration of its wide appeal, across party lines and state lines,”

said Staci Hancock, co-founder of the Water Hay Oats Alliance, one of the member organizations of the CHRI. “The racing

community continues to advocate for uniform standards and a level playing field for interstate horse racing through independent

oversight by USADA. We are proud that this bill continues to gather support, and value the leadership each of our co-sponsors

demonstrates in backing this critical legislation.”

THIA, or H.R.3084, is the only legislative proposal with active support across a wide range of stakeholders that make up

America’s horse racing community. The new co-sponsors, comprising an even split between Democrats and Republicans,

represent districts from six states across the country, demonstrating the widespread support THIA continues to earn on Capitol

Hill.

In supporting THIA, Representatives Blumenauer, Brooks, DeLauro, Joyce, Nadler and Wilson join House co-authors Andy Barr

(R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) as well as co-sponsors Richard Hanna (R-NY), David Jolly (R-FL), Gregory Meeks (D-NY),

Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Ted Yoho (R-FL).

The Coalition’s membership includes Arapahoe Park, the Breeders’ Cup Ltd., Centaur Gaming, the Consignors and Commercial

Breeders Association, the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association, the

International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), The Jockey Club, Keeneland Association Inc., the Kentucky

Thoroughbred Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders, the Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs, Vernon

Downs, and the Water Hay Oats Alliance.

The Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 will direct the non-governmental, non-profit U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to

create an independent, racing-specific, non-governmental and non-profit organization to work collaboratively with state racing

commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country to create uniform, high standards in drug and medication

testing and enforcement for Thoroughbred horse racing.



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Coalition for Horseracing Integrity Welcomes Six New Congressional Supporters July 24, 2015 – The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity would like to thank Representatives Richard Hanna (R-NY),

David Jolly (R-FL), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Ted Yoho (R-FL) for

signing on in support of the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015. We are pleased to see growing

momentum on Capitol Hill in favor of reforms in the regulation of this job-creating industry. This bill, known in the U.S.

House as H.R.3084, is the only legislative proposal with active support of the diverse stakeholders that make up the

horseracing community. We thank Congressmen Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) for their continued efforts

to bring uniformity and a level playing field to interstate horse racing.

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Governor Steven L. Beshear — Governor of Kentucky remarks from the Sixty-Third Annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, The Role of Government in Racing

Thank you very much. First of all, it’s an honor to be here in this historic place, at this conference, but

also to witness the historic transition of leadership here at The Jockey Club.

So, first on behalf of about 4.4 million Kentuckians, I want to thank Mr. Phipps for your leadership. He

has led this Jockey Club to a new level of leadership in this industry.

I want to congratulate Stuart Janney on stepping up as the next chair, and I'm confident, and I know that

you are, that his leadership will continue to build on that great legacy that Ogden Mills Phipps has left

us.

If I could take a point of personal privilege, I would also like to say how proud we are that one of our

own, Bill Lear of Lexington, has been chosen as Vice Chair of The Jockey Club. I know it's an honor for

Bill; it's also an honor for the entire commonwealth of Kentucky.

You know, during my eight years as Governor, I traveled around this world to try to bring jobs to

Kentucky, and it's been interesting to discover what other parts of the world know about Kentucky.

I can assure you that everyone in this world knows of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Many more are learning

about a wonderful brown liquid that we make in Kentucky called Kentucky Bourbon.

And just for your information, 95% of the world's Bourbon is made right in Kentucky. The other 5% is

counterfeit.

I've also been surprised to find out how many people around this world know about the Kentucky Derby

and about our Thoroughbred industry.

Now I know all of you here know Kentucky well. You know that I'm the Governor of a state where the

equine industry, according to a 2012 study, had an economic impact of almost three billion dollars, and

generated over 41,000 jobs.

For a state the size of Kentucky, those are big numbers. Kentucky's home to about a quarter of a million

horses. We ride them for fun, we work them, we show them, and most of all we race them and we bet

on them.

The horse industry, and in particular the horse racing industry, is a part of our DNA. It's part of our

heritage. It's part of our identity. People call Kentucky the horse capital of the world, and we're

obviously very proud of that title.

We're home to the Kentucky Horse Park, the Rolex Three-Day Event, the 2010 World Equestrian Games,

the Kentucky Derby. Historic tracks like Keeneland and Churchill Downs, and of course an array of

picturesque farms that present the iconic images of Kentucky to the rest of the world.

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And let me tell you, when you're standing in the winner's circle at the Kentucky Derby with millions of

people watching and you hold that trophy in your hands and you present it to the winning owner as I've

had the privilege to do now eight times, it's difficult not to get overwhelmed by the history, by the

euphoria, by the glory, and by the magnitude of that moment.

To put it bluntly, there is no state in this nation with more at stake, both economically and emotionally,

as our industry wrestles with the issue of medication and its impact on safety, integrity, and trust, and

yes, I said trust, because we do have a trust issue.

So we shouldn't stick our heads in the sand about it. Everybody has seen these surveys that have been

done about our industry. This industry's credibility problem extends across the board among horse

racing fans, bettors, big and small, outsiders looking in, and even those on the inside who own, train,

and race horses.

Inconsistent state-by-state rules and regulation of performance-enhancing and performance-affecting

drugs have created the perception of an unfair and an undecipherable racing field. It is one of the

reasons for the declining fan base.

So if we're going to increase that base and thus the financial viability of horse racing, we have to step up

and address that perception by creating a strong and uniform regulatory landscape as it relates to

medication.

I'm proud that Kentucky, during my administration, has been at the forefront of this effort within the

confines of our own borders. We've had great leadership at our Kentucky Racing Commission with

Chairman Bob Beck who couldn't be here this weekend, but we have a couple of our members in Tracy

Farmer and in Ned Bonnie, and our Executive Director, John Ward, is here. They have led the way so

that Kentucky could lead the way.

We reconstituted and reinvigorated the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council.

We were one of the first states to require that Lasix be administered on race day only by a racing

commission employed veterinarian.

We've instituted a rigorous pre-race examination protocol, there by substantially lowering the

catastrophic rate.

We've developed a testing method called filters off to obtain a more complete picture of all medication

used.

We're one of the few states to adopt uniform medication standards.

We recruited to our state a world class lab, and we've been willing to pay the higher cost of

comprehensive tests.

And finally, our racing commission has passed regulations that allow our tracks to card non-Lasix races,

an option that is working its way through our regulatory process.

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But our industry is at the point where meaningful further progress requires movement on a national

level. Why? Well, very simply and very frankly, because our collective experiences over the past few

decades has demonstrated conclusively that individual state racing commissions just can't get this job

done.

So let me be clear: Kentucky endorses and embraces the need for broad-based reform that includes, not

only uniform medication rules, but also common testing rules and procedures…the required use of

certified labs, consistent enforcement in penalties, the creation of a national medication regulatory

authority, and a system that responds quickly to address ever-changing trends in the drug landscape.

And folks, the only way that we're going to achieve those changes is through federal legislation. One of

the bills pending in Congress which contains just such broad-based reform is the Tonko-Barr proposal.

As you all know, that proposal is supported by The Jockey Club, by the Coalition for Horse Racing

Integrity, which is composed of Breeders' Cup Limited, The Humane Society of the United States, the

Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, The Jockey

Club, and the Water, Hay, Oats Alliance.

Now, it's not a finished product, and we all know that. Thorny issues need to be discussed and worked

through. But worked through is the key phrase.

Look, I'm an attorney by profession, and in my profession there are lawyers who are known as deal

makers and there are lawyers who are known as deal breakers.

Now, as an industry, as a collective body of states and racing commissions, we could look at this

proposal as a deal breaker. Finding holes and using those holes to conclude that it just won't work, and

then abandon the effort.

Folks, that would be a huge mistake. Let's not be deal breakers. Let's be deal makers.

We need to look at this proposal as a framework, a framework for positive reform, and bring as much of

the industry together as we can to improve it where we can, to make it more feasible, to see it as an

opportunity to help preserve this industry.

Look, we've come a long way in the last 30 years where once the chief concern seemed to be pushing a

horse to win a given race on a given day, no matter what the long-term cost.

Now the welfare and safety of the horse, as well as the integrity of the competition are our high

priorities.

Not coincidentally, the number of race day fatalities in Kentucky has dropped by almost 40% since I took

office in 2007.

When it comes to policy and regulations, more of us are asking the right questions, and more of us in

Kentucky see ourselves as stewards of the horse. This has not been at the expense of our industry; in

fact, it has strengthened our industry.

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So I congratulate The Jockey Club, the new Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity and all of you that are

involved in these efforts. More needs to be done, and I'm here to ensure you that Kentucky will

continue to lead and continues to lend its voice and its credibility to this effort.

As the Coalition has said, with the safety of our horses, the integrity of competition, and the general

perception of the sport all at risk, we can't afford to wait any longer.

Thank you.

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Albany Times Union Horse racing needs an independent anti-doping agency By Marc Summers, Commentary

Published Monday, August 17, 2015

Horse racing has been wrestling with the question of how to handle anti-doping regulation for what seems like ages.

In fact, at the Jockey Club's first Round Table Conference in 1953, one of the participants started a dialogue on the subject by saying that "It seems to me that we've had the question of doping for a great many years..."

As I explained at the recent Saratoga Institute on Equine, Racing & Gaming Law Conference, the unfortunate fact is that two major factors play against our best efforts to come to uniform, comprehensive anti-doping regulations: The industry's state-by-state governance system, and the inherent conflict of interest in self-regulation.

That's why today, many of us at the forefront of the sport have come to the conclusion that in order to settle (and end) the question of doping, we must actually take it out of horse racing's hands.

We must acknowledge that as an industry, we have taken reform as far as we can on our own.

Over the past 15 years, there has been a concerted push among numerous key racing organizations toward uniform national medication rules. This culminated in 2013, with the creation of the National Uniform Medication Program.

In simple terms, this program consists of four interlocking parts: A controlled therapeutic medication schedule; an enhanced penalty system; lab accreditation requirements, and limitations on the administration of race day medication.

When NUMP was created, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, together with more than 50 racetrack and industry organization leaders, called on U.S. horse racing regulators to fully adopt all parts of the program by Jan. 1, 2014, or as soon thereafter as possible.

Since this call to action, less than a quarter of the horse racing states — and none of the major racing states such as New York, California, Florida or Kentucky, have fully implemented NUMP.

Only 20 percent of all races in the U.S. are run under the full set of these "uniform" rules. Disarray is still the norm. NUMP-compliant equine drug-testing laboratories have missed critical "positive" tests. Furthermore, any updates to the regulations, such as stricter standards for laboratories, banning emerging drugs or changing penalties, require approval by 38 distinct

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government organizations, each with its own political processes, constituencies, desires, goals and impediments.

As The Jockey Club has advocated, only a single, independent expert body such as the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency can help us past these challenges. If we truly want to achieve the kind of reform that will enhance both the integrity and the perception of our sport, we need to act now.

On July 16, Saratoga's own congressman, Paul Tonko, along with Rep. Andy Barr of Kentucky, jointly introduced the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015.

Through this legislation, Congress would direct USADA to create an independent not-for-profit anti-doping authority solely for thoroughbred horse racing. The organization would be called the Thoroughbred Horseracing Anti-Doping Authority and be funded by the industry at no cost to taxpayers or bettors.

THADA would create a uniform anti-doping program for all thoroughbred jurisdictions.

Thereafter, all thoroughbred races in the United States would be subject to the same limitations on drugs and treatments, where tests would be conducted in accordance with the highest international standards, with a nationwide set of penalties to deter cheaters and to penalize those caught cheating.

In essence, we would have true national uniformity.

The creation of THADA would be the result of a unification of representatives of the world's top anti-doping body with people who have real-world thoroughbred industry experience. And it would accomplish something that we all claim to want: national, uniform standards and enforcement.

For those in the industry who say that this legislation isn't necessary, I encourage you to look again at the decades of reform attempts that have led us to this point.

Are we willing to go another 60 years with the question of doping still looming over our heads?

At The Jockey Club, the answer is no.

Marc Summers is the vice president and general counsel of The Jockey Club.

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The Blood Horse, September 4, 2015 Horseplayers Support USADA Oversight By Frank Angst The people who put their money on the line wagering on horse racing would like to see an overhaul of its drug testing and enforcement, based on results of a recent survey. Horseplayers Association of North America members overwhelmingly support proposed federal legislation that would have the United States Anti-Doping Agency regulate drug testing in the sport, based on survey results released in the September issue of HANA's HorsePlayer Monthly. From the 411 HANA members who participated in the survey, 83.12% supported having HANA throw its support behind USADA. Unfortunately for supporters of the USADA legislation, despite member voters recommending HANA support the legislation by joining the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity, HANA has not joined the coalition and is unlikely to do so, said HANA president Jeff Platt. The coalition is attempting to gather industry consensus in support of the legislation. While the yes-no vote seemed to indicate overwhelming support for the legislation, Platt said member comments were more of a mixed bag. He said the biggest concern of the HANA board is that because the legislation currently does not include a specific funding mechanism, any increased expenses ultimately will be passed on to horseplayers through increased takeout. "Basically our biggest fear is that we're going to back an initiative, see Congress pass it, and then to pay for it—instead of doing it the way Jockey Club is proposing by increasing starter fees $35 a race or so, that the industry somehow comes up with a fee that amounts to the equivalent of a takeout increase," Platt said. "Our position is we're already paying 22% blended takeout and that's enough. You should be able to accomplish testing and enforcement, better integrity and transparency, while charging the current takeout that we believe is already too high. We're very concerned about the cost element of this."

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When members voted in the survey, it was with the understanding that the regulatory changes would not be funded through increased takeout. The USADA model is expected to cost more because of increased out-of-competition testing and improved oversight in many states. While HANA has not followed through with the recommendation of its members, the coalition noted that it was important to see that the members back the USADA plan. In a statement, the coalition praised HANA making the results of the survey public. "Horseplayers and bettors are the lifeblood of the Thoroughbred racing industry," the coalition statement said. "The leadership of HANA clearly understands that we must ensure their voice is represented, and we praise the recent announcement of a poll of its members which concluded that more than four in five horseplayers (83%) support national uniform drug and medication standards overseen by experts at USADA, an independent, nongovernmental non-profit organization." Based on the yes-no vote, the survey participants supported the move by a wide margin. Some of the comments in favor of USADA that are listed in HorsePlayer Monthly include: "The states and regulatory arms of each have failed to achieve this goal. Enough is enough." "Any move to bring uniformity across the various venues in Thoroughbred racing is a step in the right direction." "The public thinks racing is fixed. This would help to change that perception." Platt said the results are in line with a survey of HANA members earlier this year by research company Penn Schoen Berland for the Jockey Club. The coalition said the survey results are in line with that study as well as polling conducted by the NTRA and McKInsey & Company in recent years that have determined: • 77% of horseracing bettors consider the possibility of illegal drug use when handicapping.

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• Among those who form an opinion about whether trainers are using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), three in five (60%) say they typically bet less on the race, compared with less than one in twenty (4%) who say they bet more. • 92% of horseracing bettors said they want to see uniform medication policies happen faster than they are happening now, and • 72% support a proposal to grant oversight of drug and medication testing and enforcement to USADA. Platt believes the results calling for improved regulation are in line with the opinions of horseplayers at-large, not just members of HANA. He said that while HANA likely will not join the Coalition, it was important to release results of the survey to allow the public to see that horseplayers want improved integrity. Earlier this year Reps. Andy Barr, a Kentucky Republican, and Paul Tonko, a New York Democrat, introduced the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015. It would require any racetracks that participate in simulcast wagering to accept medication oversight by the new entity—the Thoroughbred Horseracing Anti-Doping Authority. The legislation would grant the USADA-shaped authority power over regulation, testing, and enforcement of equine medication use in Thoroughbred racing. The specific question the HANA members were asked in the survey was: "Should the Horseplayers Association of North America lend its support to the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity in their quest to reform drug use and enforcement in horse racing?"

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The Paulick Report, October 15, 2015 GORAJEC: BARR-TONKO BILL ONLY PATH TOWARD UNIFORMITY

by Joe Gorajec

The following commentary was written by Joe Gorajec, who on Saturday was relieved of his job

as executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC), a position he held for

nearly 25 years.

The commentary, which Gorajec intended for publication when written, was shared with Indiana

commissioners in August with a clearly stated caveat that it represented his personal viewpoint,

and not that of the IHRC or its individual members.

Gorajec was advised, in no uncertain terms, that he was not to have the article published.

Having been the executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission since 1990, I have

been on the frontline of regulatory policy and enforcement, both in Indiana and nationally, for

the past 25 years.

During this time I have seen substantial efforts – with mixed results – to improve uniformity in

drug testing and penalties for positive tests. I have also witnessed a largely inadequate,

milquetoast response to emerging threats to racing’s integrity. Most significant among these

threats are blood-doping agents and other drugs that require an extensive out-of-competition

program for detection.

I believe the threat to the integrity of our sport is greater now than it was 25 years ago.

We are in this predicament because we lack central governance for drug testing and penalties for

violations, which, of course, all other major sports have.

We have been promised and have held out hope that uniformity was achievable and just around

the corner. It is not achievable, nor is it around the corner, so you can stop waiting. Uniformity

under our current regulatory structure is a mirage.

Lack of uniformity does not equate to lack of effort. In a nutshell, uniformity is incompatible with

the current structure of individual state prerogatives. Try as we might, we cannot and will not

get to our desired level of uniformity with our existing regulatory structure. Once we

acknowledge this, it will be much easier to choose a new path leading to true national uniformity.

It should be noted that state regulators (i.e. Commissions) did not create the current model.

They inherited it. This occurred decades ago when state legislatures bequeathed to racing

commissions the authority and responsibility for equine drug testing.

This lack of uniformity has always been an issue, but emerging threats have made us much more

susceptible to the designs of those who cheat. While these threats have increased, racing has

become more globalized and the internet has rapidly spread all the shortcomings of our sport

into consciousness of our dwindling fan base – and potential new fans.

I was born in Chicopee, Mass., in 1958. In that year, the four major Thoroughbred New England

race tracks – Rockingham Park, Suffolk Downs, Narragansett Park and Lincoln Downs – drew

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2,680,412 fans to the track. By comparison, that same year, the combined attendance for the

Boston Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics was 2,168,412.

All these tracks are nothing but memories, except for Suffolk, which is scheduled to race three

days this year. The reasons for the decline of Thoroughbred racing are many. I believe most

people will agree that the foundation upon which we must build our sport moving forward is

integrity. Our current structure of state prerogatives as it relates to drug testing and penalties

has failed to provide this foundation.

For these reasons, I support the Barr-Tonko bill. It places the United States Anti Doping Agency

(USADA) in a position to do virtually overnight what the racing industry has been incapable of

doing over decades – mandate uniformity in drug testing, procedures and penalties. (Aug. 24,

2015)

Joe Gorajec served as executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission and past

chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI). The opinions herein

are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions of the Indiana Horse

Racing Commission.

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http://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/common-sense-legislation-barr-tonko-introduce-thoroughbred-horseracing-integrity-act-of-2015/

The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, October 19,2015 Racing board out of bounds with firing By Jill Thompson Recently, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission unanimously voted to remove its executive director, Joe Gorajec, who had held the position since the commission’s inception. Thomas Weatherwax, the commission’s chairman, told the Indianapolis Business Journal that Gorajec was fired because he was too focused on enforcing regulations and he was not focused enough on marketing and promoting horse racing. In other words, Gorajec was fired for doing his job. He has a reputation for standing firm on regulatory issues, and that is a good thing. In the last two years, under his leadership, almost 700 rulings on misconduct were issued. The commission also issued thousands of licenses, as required by law. In firing Gorajec for focusing too much on regulating the industry, the commission made an unethical decision. As a lifelong Hoosier who loves Indiana, I find myself, once again, disappointed and angered by the lack of ethics exhibited by too many public officials in our state. We can do better. The 65-page statute authorizing horse race betting makes very clear the purpose of the law and the commission. It reads: “The purpose of this article is to permit pari-mutuel wagering on horse races in Indiana and to ensure that pari-mutuel wagering on horse races in Indiana will be conducted with the highest of standards and the greatest level of integrity.” By law, the commission is charged with regulating to the highest standard. Its mission statement is clear: “Ensuring that pari-mutuel wagering on horse races in Indiana will be conducted with the highest of standards and the greatest level of integrity.” Indiana is home to two horse racing tracks, Hoosier Park at Anderson and Indiana Downs at Shelbyville. According to the latest annual report posted on the Indiana Horse Racing Commission’s website, the handle, or total amount of money wagered on pari-mutuel races, has dropped from a high of $190 million in 2005 to $95 million in 2013. This same report showed the cost of regulating the industry at less than 2 percent of the handle, and the total state revenue received from the races at only $3,427,763. It is understandable why the commission is concerned about Indiana’s shrinking horse racing industry and reduced tax revenue. And it is understandable why members would want to increase promotion and marketing of the industry. But, promoting and regulating are two different functions that at times can be at complete odds with one another. In promoting the industry, the state should charge that responsibility to someone other than the director responsible for regulation and oversight. Any ethicist worth his or her salt will tell you good promoters do not make good regulators. Giving the promotion responsibility to the regulator is a bad idea. It encourages the regulator to look the other way when there is a conflict between expanding betting and ensuring it is compliant with the law. I had the privilege of serving as the board chair and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration, an independent, arm’s-length financial regulator. I led the agency to strengthen its ethics policies which, in the long run, helps to strengthen the businesses it regulates.

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When the chairman of the Horse Racing Commission says we need more promotion and less regulation, it sounds very much like he wants to weaken the oversight of the horse racing industry. That would be bad news for the health of the horses, the safety of the drivers and jockeys, and the overall integrity of the industry. It also sounds like he wants to make the commission a “captured” or “pocket” regulator, where the industry controls the regulator. None of these changes is in the long-run interest of the industry or our state. Jill Long Thompson is a former congresswoman who represented Fort Wayne and northeastern Indiana. She teaches Ethics for the Kelly School of Business and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of IU.

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Newark Star-Ledger, October 10, 2015 Stricter racehorse doping regulations are key to maintaining integrity of sport

By Jeffrey Gural

Ever since I was kid sneaking away to Roosevelt Raceway on Long Island, I have loved

everything about horse racing. I loved the outdoor pavilion packed with a crowd of

spectators, the lines of hungry risk-takers at the betting windows and, of course, the

thrill of the race itself. I was hooked early.

For a while, my day job in real estate took me away from my first love, but I eventually

found my way back to the track. I took over operating Vernon Downs in Vernon, N.Y.,

and Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y., in 2005. Then, in 2013, I took over operations at the

Meadowlands where we built a brand new state-of-the-art grandstand. As a result, I

have committed much of my life to making that facility a beautiful space where horse

racing could thrive.

Throughout my career, I have learned that without integrity and credibility, business

ultimately suffers. The racetrack is no different. That's one of the reasons I have made it

a priority to maintain the strictest racehorse medication testing and enforcement

policies at all three of these locations.

I'm so committed to running a clean racetrack that we do our own out-of-competition

testing and surveillance at our own expense and we have been able to detect illegal

performance-enhancing medication in horses entered at our facilities. But the quality of

testing simply isn't the same for every racing jurisdiction.

Modern horse racing suffers from a patchwork system of out-of-date, state-by-state drug

and medication rules set by approximately three dozen state regulatory commissions.

This creates confusion and risk for owners and trainers whose horses compete in more

than one state and inconsistency for bettors who want to accurately evaluate horses.

This approach has also left the door open for mistrust to grow around the industry's

ability to rid the sport of performance-enhancing drugs and prevent the overuse of

approved medications.

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It is a concern not only for the health of the horses, but for our audience and their trust

in the sport. Especially in New Jersey, where we send and receive horses who race all

along the East Coast, no matter how hard we try as racetrack operators, or show

leadership through our state regulatory actions, we can only do so much to ensure clean

racing for our fans.

That's why last month, I was proud to announce that the Meadowlands, Tioga Downs

and Vernon Downs had joined the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity and would

support its efforts to implement clean racing reforms on a national scale.

The coalition's membership – which includes industry leaders, animal welfare groups

and a grassroots organization with over 1,100 members – represents a cross section of

stakeholders who are committed to changing the status quo.

Their solution is to grant authority for developing and administering an anti-doping

program for horse racing to the only independent, science-based anti-doping entity in

the United States – the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

While this approach is currently spelled out in the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity

Act of 2015 that was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen

Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) in July, it is my strong hope that the

legislation will soon be broadened to include standardbred racing, as well as any other

racing breed that is committed to truly pursuing national, effective medication reform.

As both a racetrack operator and a lifelong fan, I'm fully invested in the future of this

sport. In order to ensure the welfare of our athletes, enhance the integrity of our sport

and reverse the decline in our fan base and our popularity, we must recognize that the

actions of a few can sully the reputation of many. Though it's hard to admit, I'm ready to

say that I've done all I can on my own, and all we can do in New Jersey.

We are one industry, with one public image, and we need one holistic anti-doping

approach. The Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act offers that opportunity, and in

return, I give it my wholehearted support.

Jeffrey Gural operates the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, Tioga Downs

in Nichols, N.Y., and Vernon Downs in Vernon, N.Y. He is also the chairman of

commercial real estate firm Newmark Grubb Knight Frank.

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