Page 15 - November 2015

of millions of dollars to our communities and economy.
It’s time to work collaboratively and construc- tively to preserve Idaho’s horse racing industry. There are some tough decisions to be made and some hard work to do, but I’m ready to work with legislators and the industry to craft new laws in the next session of the Legislature.
Let’s start with the steps I laid out in my veto message last winter: creation of a state gaming commission to set operating rules that are sensitive to community and industry concerns, restoration of horse racing services — including pari-mutuel terminals — but with tighter regulations on the location of the machines and operations.
These actions will ensure that horse racing has a real opportunity to succeed in Idaho, in
the proper venue and circumstances, respecting business and family values, without government suffocating an important part of Idaho’s heritage.
It’s a matter of fairness.
RMTC AMends ConTRolled TheRApeuTiC MediCATions lisT
At its October meeting in Atlanta, the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium board of directors took several actions aimed at improving the health and safety of horses. The board also received updates on a variety of nationwide reform initiatives.
The RMTC board approved recommenda- tions from the scientific advisory committee
to add four new medications to the current list of 26 controlled therapeutic substances (CTS). The RMTC voted to add these four medica- tions at the urging of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP):
Ranitidine – an anti-ulcer medication; Cimetidine – an anti-ulcer medication; Cetirizine – an anti-histamine; and Guaifenesin – an expectorant.
The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council, working in conjunction with the UC Davis Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, performed the research necessary to support inclusion of these medications on the CTS list. The RMTC
will now present these four medications to
the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) and advocate for their inclusion in the RCI model rules.
“AAEP is most appreciative of the efforts of the RMTC to complete the appropriate research to allow for the addition of four
important therapeutic medications to the Controlled Therapeutic Substances List,” said AAEP Past President Dr. Jeff Blea. “AAEP requested the addition of these particular medications to allow practitioners to maintain a high standard of care in a regulatory environment, and it’s gratifying to witness the industry synergistically working together to accomplish what is best for the horse and for racing.”
Additionally, RMTC executive director
Dr. Dionne Benson updated the board on significant progress toward full adoption of
the National Uniform Medication Program. According to Benson, 17 states have adopted both the CTS and Third-Party Administration of Furosemide policies, while 12 states have adopted the Multiple Medication Violations Penalty System, and 27 states are now receiv- ing testing services from RMTC-accredited laboratories. Noteworthy additions to the list of racing jurisdictions now actively pursuing the program are Florida, Louisiana and Illinois.
In other business, the RMTC Board granted Interim Accreditation status to
the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) at Texas A&M University, which provides testing for the Texas Racing Commission. To achieve this status – the seventh laboratory to do so – TVMDL was required to submit an extensive application, pass a rigorous site inspection and successfully complete one round of the External Quality Assurance Program.
“I am extremely proud that the drug test- ing section of the TVMDL has been granted Interim Accreditation by the RMTC,” said
Dr. Glenn Blodgett, president of the American Quarter Horse Association. “Texas lies in the heart of Quarter Horse racing, and the AQHA is very proud to add another RMTC-accredited lab. Along with the AQHA, I would like to personally congratulate the Texas lab for this accomplishment.”
The RMTC also unveiled its new website, www.rmtcnet.com. The website is designed to make it easier to find information about the National Uniform Medication Program, including the research projects of the RMTC that support the Program.
The RMTC consists of 23 racing industry stakeholders and organizations that represent Thoroughbred, Standardbred, American Quarter Horse and Arabian racing. The organization works to develop and promote uniform rules, policies and testing standards at the national level; to coordinate research and educational programs that seek to ensure the integrity of racing and the health and welfare of racehorses and participants; and to protect the interests of the racing public.
The seAson of ThAnks
It’s November and time to give thanks.
Change is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean that we have to like it, just accept it. Some changes are harder than others, and when it involves the final chapter of an iconic industry institute, it makes it a little harder to embrace.
The Vessels Stallion Farm dispersal coin- cided with the 37th annual Heritage Place Mixed Fall Sale. I hate to paint with a broad brush, but I think it would be hard to find anyone in the industry that hasn’t been touched in some way by the Vessels family either from their friendship or simply from a visit to Los Alamitos Race Course to the blood that runs through so many of our racehorses.
I’m thankful that on an early, foggy Sunday morning after a long night at Los Alamitos Race Course watching the Champion of Champions years ago, my friend and men-
tor, Richard Chamberlain, took me to Vessels Stallion Farm for a photo shoot to capture some stock photos of mare herds. I had the honor of interacting with some of the bluest- blooded mares in the industry and the king himself, First Down Dash. Oh what a memory that I will forever cherish. Instead of dwell- ing on the end of an era and the change in the breeding farm landscape, I’m thankful for the Vessels’ contribution to racing and that I got a glimpse of horse heaven on earth.
This November, I’m also thankful for American Pharoah and the thrills he provided this year, for the happy tears that have been shed witnessing greatness in the form of horse- flesh gracefully destroying his competition, and for the new fans who have been introduced to our sport because of this magnificent colt.
Happy Thanksgiving!
SPEEDHORSE, November 2015 13
track chatter