2008 2008 ROAP Conference ROAP Conference

on Officiating Horse Racingon Officiating Horse Racing

Mission of RMTCMission of RMTC

Formed in 2002 as a 501 (c) (3) Formed in 2002 as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organizationcharitable organization

To develop, promote and coordinate, at To develop, promote and coordinate, at the national level, policies, research and the national level, policies, research and educational programs that seek to:educational programs that seek to:

– ensure fairness and integrity of racingensure fairness and integrity of racing– ensure the health and safety of ensure the health and safety of

racehorses and participants racehorses and participants – protect the interests of the racing protect the interests of the racing

publicpublic

Participation Organizations Participation Organizations on the Board of Directorson the Board of Directors

AAEPAAEP AQHAAQHA Arabian Jockey ClubArabian Jockey Club Breeders’ CupBreeders’ Cup California TB TrainersCalifornia TB Trainers Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Del Mar Del Mar Hambletonian SocietyHambletonian Society Harness Tracks of Harness Tracks of

America     America     Jockeys’ GuildJockeys’ Guild KeenelandKeeneland Kentucky TB Kentucky TB

AssociationAssociation

Magna Magna EntertainmentEntertainment

National HBPA National HBPA NTRANTRA NYRANYRA Oak TreeOak Tree RCIRCI THATHA The Jockey ClubThe Jockey Club TOBATOBA TB Owners of TB Owners of

CaliforniaCalifornia TRATRA TRPBTRPB USTAUSTA

FundingFunding

Nearly $3.7 million from industry Nearly $3.7 million from industry organizations and individuals from 2003-organizations and individuals from 2003-20082008

2008 Contributions = $895,0002008 Contributions = $895,000

Cash on Hand = $1,200,000Cash on Hand = $1,200,000

2009 Projected Funding:2009 Projected Funding:

– $1 per start from horsemen and tracks$1 per start from horsemen and tracks– $700,000 from industry organizations$700,000 from industry organizations– $500,000 research and testing grants from$500,000 research and testing grants from

Jockey Club and outside funding sourcesJockey Club and outside funding sources– Tax-deductible donations from individualsTax-deductible donations from individuals

Research Research

Performance enhancersPerformance enhancers

Environmental contaminants Environmental contaminants

Threshold levels and withdrawal times for Threshold levels and withdrawal times for therapeutic medicationstherapeutic medications

Anabolic steroidsAnabolic steroids

Cortico-steroidsCortico-steroids

““Unknown” acquisition and analysisUnknown” acquisition and analysis

Model Medication Model Medication Policies Policies & Drug Rules& Drug RulesAdoption of Model Rules for uniform Adoption of Model Rules for uniform

policy on therapeutic medications in policy on therapeutic medications in 32 of 38 states32 of 38 states

– Veterinary practicesVeterinary practices

– Prohibited drugs Prohibited drugs

– Prohibited practicesProhibited practices

– Lasix – the only permitted race day Lasix – the only permitted race day medicationmedication

Language adopted

Language in the process of being adopted

Process require significant legislative action

Process has not been started

No horse racing or harness racing commission

Model Rules Phase 1

Penalty GuidelinesPenalty Guidelines Approval of Model Rules for more severe Approval of Model Rules for more severe

uniform penalties for the use of uniform penalties for the use of prohibited drugs and practices by RCI prohibited drugs and practices by RCI board of directorsboard of directors

Class A Class A – Illegal, not approved, significant – Illegal, not approved, significant performance enhancementperformance enhancement Lifetime: Lifetime:

11stst Offense – Offense – MinimumMinimum 1 year & $ 1 year & $ 10,000 10,000

Maximum Maximum 3 year & $ 25,0003 year & $ 25,000 33rdrd Offense – Minimum Offense – Minimum 5 year & $ 5 year & $

50,000 50,000 Maximum Maximum 10 10 year & $ 100,000year & $ 100,000

Veterinarians, owners, other culpable Veterinarians, owners, other culpable licensees and horses can be suspended.licensees and horses can be suspended.

Mitigating Mitigating CircumstancesCircumstances The past record of the trainer, The past record of the trainer,

veterinarian and owner in drug cases;veterinarian and owner in drug cases; The potential of the drug(s) to The potential of the drug(s) to

influence a horse’s racing influence a horse’s racing performance;performance;

The legal availability of the drug;The legal availability of the drug; Whether there is reason to believe Whether there is reason to believe

the responsible party knew of the the responsible party knew of the administration of the drug or administration of the drug or intentionally administered the drug ;intentionally administered the drug ;

The steps taken by the trainer to The steps taken by the trainer to safeguard the horse;safeguard the horse;

Mitigating Mitigating CircumstancesCircumstances The probability of environmental The probability of environmental

contamination or inadvertent exposure contamination or inadvertent exposure due to human drug use;due to human drug use;

The purse of the race;The purse of the race; Whether the drug found was one for Whether the drug found was one for

which the horse was receiving a which the horse was receiving a treatment as determined by the treatment as determined by the Medication Report Form;Medication Report Form;

Whether there was any suspicious Whether there was any suspicious betting pattern in the race, and;betting pattern in the race, and;

Whether the licensed trainer was acting Whether the licensed trainer was acting under the advice of a licensed under the advice of a licensed veterinarian. veterinarian.

Anabolic SteroidsAnabolic Steroids Secured RCI adoption of uniform Model Rules Secured RCI adoption of uniform Model Rules

to regulate the use of anabolic steroidsto regulate the use of anabolic steroids

– Adopted by 20 statesAdopted by 20 states– At least 13 other states have started the At least 13 other states have started the

adoption processadoption process– These states represent over 96% of the These states represent over 96% of the

total Thoroughbred pari-mutuel racing total Thoroughbred pari-mutuel racing handlehandle

– RMTC and RCI have encouraged every state RMTC and RCI have encouraged every state to complete the adoption process by to complete the adoption process by December 31, 2008 or before racing begins December 31, 2008 or before racing begins in 2009in 2009

Anabolic Steroid Anabolic Steroid Model RuleModel RuleLanguage adopted

Language in the process of being adopted

Process pending administration studies

Process has not been started

No horse racing or harness racing commission

Other Other AccomplishmentsAccomplishments Developed a model rule on out-of-Developed a model rule on out-of-

competition drug testing approved competition drug testing approved by RCI board of directorsby RCI board of directors

Established a recommended policy Established a recommended policy to eliminate “Milk Shaking” to eliminate “Milk Shaking”

Compiled withdrawal times for Compiled withdrawal times for therapeutic medications in 18 therapeutic medications in 18 statesstates

Withdrawal Times Withdrawal Times DatabaseDatabase www.rmtcnet.comwww.rmtcnet.com

2009-2010 Goals2009-2010 Goals

Drug Testing Initiative:Drug Testing Initiative:– WADA style uniform testing protocols & best WADA style uniform testing protocols & best

practicespractices– Proficiency, blind & double-blind sample quality Proficiency, blind & double-blind sample quality

assurance program assurance program – International laboratory accreditation International laboratory accreditation

standards (ISO-17025)standards (ISO-17025)– National system of research and reference National system of research and reference

laboratorieslaboratories– Frozen sample retroactive testing programFrozen sample retroactive testing program– Refined selection of horses for sample Refined selection of horses for sample

collectioncollection– Recruitment program for grad student & post Recruitment program for grad student & post

doctoral internships & research positions at doctoral internships & research positions at U.S. racing labsU.S. racing labs

2009-2010 Goals2009-2010 Goals

Research and develop best practices, Research and develop best practices, proper procedures and model rules to proper procedures and model rules to regulate cortico-steroidsregulate cortico-steroids

Encourage state legislatures to provide Encourage state legislatures to provide more funding for drug testing and racing more funding for drug testing and racing commission investigative staffcommission investigative staff

Work in close cooperation with Dr. Don Work in close cooperation with Dr. Don Catlin’s Anti-Doping Research laboratoryCatlin’s Anti-Doping Research laboratory

Provide effective and timely Provide effective and timely communications of RMTC programs, communications of RMTC programs, research and initiatives to racing industry research and initiatives to racing industry organizations, media and racing fansorganizations, media and racing fans