Schenectady, NY – Harness Racing’s top guns descended upon the New York State Gaming Commission public hearing to advance concerns over proposed drug levels for racehorses.
U. S. Trotting Association President, Phil Langley, and Standardbred Owners Association of New York President, Joe Faraldo, led a group of distinguished veterinarians and research experts to counter the “one size fits all” approach being forwarded by the Thoroughbred-based Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) proposals.
The appearance of the Standardbred leaders at the public hearing, called by the agency formerly known as the NYS Racing and Wagering board, was to hear “testimony about adoption of per se regulatory thresholds for 24 approved equine medications and amending pre-race restricted time periods for various drugs.”
One particular therapeutic substance, respiratory aid Clenbuterol, has been at the forefront of a debate over uniform medication rules approved by the RMTC.
Although there is widespread Thoroughbred support for the measures, the Standardbred industry has argued that the two breeds have very distinct differences and therefore should be treated differently. The proposed rule would prohibit the bronchial dilator from being administered within 14 days of racing, effectively eliminating its potential benefit to Standardbreds that generally race every week.
Langley noted that, “Our horses are so durable, they do not even look [like Thoroughbreds.] Many of our horses race 30 to 40 times each year. In fact, the leading money-winning horse of all time started 198 times. We are not trying to get the standards lowered. We just want to conduct [racing] the way we are.”
Dr. Kanter, an expert in equine medicine and pharmacology, with over 40 years of experience as the track vet at Buffalo and Batavia. “This measure could be denying horses the benefit of years of research of these useful therapeutic drugs, while the efficacy of known substitutes is yet unproven.”
Dr. Janet Durso of Goshen, NY, reiterated those concerns. “Clenbuterol is one of the best drugs for treating blood and discharge from a horse’s lungs. Remedies would be problematic without it!”
One of the contributing factors toward this proposal is the concern that some Thoroughbred trainers are abusing Clenbuterol by overdosing in order to achieve a repartitioning effect, or to build muscle mass. That appears to be a non-issue in Standardbreds as they race too often for long-term dosages to be administered effectively.
Dr. Tobin, a renowned expert from the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center, stated, “Clenbuterol did have a repartitioning effect and increased muscle mass, but this did not translate into an increase in performance. In fact, it decreased performance.”
Although the prospect of catastrophic injury of racehorses was discussed, Dr. Tobin noted that “Harness Racing was one of the safest sports in North America. Only 1 in 15,000 fatal injuries occurred in Standardbreds, where 1 in 2,000 occurred in Thoroughbreds over the same time period.”
Several other items were addressed, such as the list of 24 drugs that would provide for the basis of drugs that would have established levels for testing. All others would be considered “off-limits” for use and result in positive tests if found in race-day blood or urine testing. In addition, the proposal of special corticosteroid regulations sparked added debate.
Of the nine speakers, eight of the experts gave convincing testimony toward the need for separate rules for each breed.
Dr. Dionne Benson, the executive director of the RMTC (Racing Medication and Testing Consortium), was the last speaker and lone dissenter. She noted that the ad hoc committee for all breeds felt that the thresholds are appropriate, and that the state of Pennsylvania was “on-board” with her groups recommendations.
Nonetheless, Joe Faraldo is not convinced that the RMTC proposals are suitable for Harness Racing. “We heard today that not all of the scientific bases have been covered. I believe that the [NYS Gaming Board] is cognizant of that fact. Because this board took the time to listen to all of these points of view, and the science behind them, it is a good indication that Harness Racing will be treated fairly.”
by Chris Tully for Harnesslink.com
JANUARY 22, 2014
HHA OF CNY SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The Harness Horse Association of Central New York is proud to announce the 2013 scholarship winners.
First place winner of $5,000 is Kayla Prentice of Vernon, NY. Kayla, an honors student graduating 7th in her class at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School, will attend Syracuse University. She will major in Health and Exercise Science and plans to be a Physical Therapist. Kayla is the daughter of Jessica and Howard Okusko Jr.
Based on the point system used to award the scholarships, the committee selected Kara Duh as the second place winner of $ 2,500. Kara will be starting her second year at LeMoyne College, majoring in Biology and plans to continue on to Veterinarian Medicine. Kara is the daughter of Joseph and Carmela Duh of Sauquoit, NY.
The third place winner is Julie Mondrick of Durhamville, NY. Julie attends Buffalo University, majoring in Dance with a minor in Health and Wellness. She is the daughter of John and Lynne Mondrick and will receive $ 1,500.
“The scholarship committee weighted financial need, community service, academic performance and the written explanation of several applications. The committee used a ‘blind review’, not knowing the names of the applicants before the review process”, stated Committee Chairman Joseph Camerino. “We are very proud of all the applicants and we want to thank everyone who applied”. “All the applicants are winners in our minds and we are overjoyed to help in whatever way we can as an association the hard working dedicated horsemen and women here at Vernon and their families”.
The following link is the video put together by the New York State Equine Industry Economic Impact Study. Thank you to all who participated in putting this together and participating in the survey.
