Doping, meds rules revealed
The nascent Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority on Thursday released a draft of proposed anti-doping and medication control rules designed to bring uniformity to a sport that has operated for years under patchwork regulations in 38 racing states.
Since July, HISA has been working with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to develop rules that are now open to public comment, including from those in the racing industry.
On Dec. 6, the proposed rules go to the Federal Trade Commission for further public comment and FTC approval. If approved by the FTC and HISA, the rules would take effect July 1.
The biggest changes involve applying the rules uniformly across every racing state and altering the way violations are dealt with.
“There would no longer be a myriad different scenarios playing out that calls into question the whole system and its effectiveness,” USADA CEO Travis Tygart said.
Under the rules, the anti-bleeding medication Lasix would be prohibited on race day in all 2-year-old and stakes races, as well as other races. Last week, all 14 races at the Breeders’ Cup world championships were run without Lasix for the first time.
Primary substances, including anabolic steroids and erythropoietin (EPO) that can increase red blood cells and boost aerobic capacity, would be prohibited at all times.
Such secondary substances as anti-inflammatories and supplements would be banned on race day. Up to 48 hours before a race, horses could be given only water, hay and oats. Beginning at midnight on race day, there could be no detection of any prohibited substance.
Under the rules, a positive test, use or possession of a primary substance would be punishable by a suspension of up to two years or up to four years if there were aggravating circumstances or a second violation within 10 years. A lifetime ban could be handed down for a third or more violation within 10 years.
A positive test, use or possession of a secondary substance could result in punishment of a suspension of up to 30 days and a fine. That could be extended up to two years if there were aggravating circumstances or a fourth or more violation of this type within five years.
Like human athletes, horses could be tested anywhere and at any time without advance notice until they permanently retire from racing.
Evasion, tampering, administration of a primary substance, trafficking, complicity and retaliation could draw a sanction of up to two years. Failure to cooperate and administration of a secondary substance would be punished by a suspension of up to 30 days and a fine.
Horses can be punished, too. Any race-day violations would result in their automatic disqualification.
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act became law last January and established the authority to enforce the legislation.
Opponents have filed lawsuits in Kentucky and Texas seeking to prevent the act from being implemented.