BloodHorse, KY
02/08/06
RMTC Board Approves Plans for Threshold
Research and Big Event Team Security
The Board of Directors of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium
approved a plan developed by Dr. Rick Sams of The Ohio State University to
establish guidelines for withdrawal times for therapeutic medications utilized by
racetrack veterinarians.
The RMTC board meeting was held in Las Vegas in conjunction with the Racing
Congress, hosted by the USTA.
At the meeting, the RMTC board also approved expanded security efforts and
provided updates on the adoption of model medication and uniform penalties,
rules, and its progress on long-term funding.
RMTC Executive Director Scot Waterman said, "The Consortium continues
efforts to develop guidelines for horsemen and veterinarians on withdrawal times
for therapeutic medications. Dr. Sams, working with Dr. Walter Hyde at Iowa
State University, has proposed a plan to expedite the necessary research to
establish withdrawal times for the most prevalent therapeutic medications
administered by veterinarians to horses in race training.
"The American Association of Equine Practitioners will be asked to help
determine and prioritize these therapeutics. Once the RMTC Scientific and
Research Advisory Committees have these recommendations, we can issue a
request for quotes for the scientific research. The majority of our 2006 research
budget is designated for this effort."
Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau President Frank Fabian provided an
overview of last year's Big Event Team and its successful efforts to enhance
security at major racing events for all breeds.
In 2005, teams of experienced TRPB, Standardbred Investigative Services and
racing commission investigators helped coordinate backstretch security for grade
I races at eight tracks in six states.
"Our teams of seasoned racing investigators spent several days at each event
providing consultation on best security practices, assisting with coordination,
training new security guards, and providing other investigative services. We were
well received by track management and especially by horsemen, who believed
our efforts helped 'level the playing field.' We wanted to expand the BET program
for 2006 to 23 major racing events, again covering Thoroughbred, Harness and
American Quarter Horse racing."
Dr. Waterman also reported that with the addition of Minnesota and the
introduction of regulatory legislation in Indiana, 30 pari-mutuel horse racing
states have adopted or are in the process of adopting the RMTC Model
Medication Policy.
In addition, the RMTC's recommended guidelines for penalties (suspensions and
fines) were approved by the RCI and NAPRA boards in December and are
already in the adoption process in California and Kentucky.
He also reported on currently funded research projects on developing
confirmation tests for the blood-doping agent erythropoietin or EPO and cone
snail venom; threshold levels and withdrawal times for procaine penicillin and
clenbuterol; and a method to differentiate morphine from environmental
contaminants.
The RMTC recently conducted a Proteomics Workshop, where 35 racing
chemists from 16 states and five countries worked on protocols for finding
protein-based drugs such as EPO and venoms in a working laboratory setting.
The RMTC meeting began with discussion and final approval of the campaign
for long-term funding for the RMTC. From 2003 through 2005, RMTC was funded
by $2.7 million in contributions from member organizations. Beginning in 2006,
RMTC will be securing commitments from racetracks and state horsemen's
groups of all racing breeds to provide funding based on a formula determined by
number of starts and average daily purse.
The funding program is being phased-in over four years, with RMTC seeking
25% of the fees due from racetracks and horsemen in 2006. Using that formula,
the RMTC would receive $198,414 from racetracks and $1,131,107 from
horsemen in 2006. This amounts to about $12.50 per race in contributions from
both horsemen and track owners.
Presentations about this funding proposal have been made to the National
HBPA, AQHA, USTA, TRA and HTA over the past 12 months.
The Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association was the first to commit for 2006 with
a maximum of $250,000 from THA affiliate organizations in New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Illinois. Previously, Oak Tree Racing
Association and the Florida HBPA had contributed on a per-start or per-race
basis.