Behind the scenes with fans, there will be some changes in pre- and post-race protocols and testing at this year's Belmont Stakes (G1) as the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority oversees a classic for the first time.
After HISA's anti-doping and drug control program was restarted on May 22, the program for the 1 1/2 mile Belmont Stakes will take effect on June 10 Belmont Park. State regulators monitored these issues for the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1). Churchill Downs and Preakness Stakes (G1) May 20 at Pimlico Racecourse.
With many in the sport hoping that improvements in these areas can strengthen the integrity of racing and improve the safety of participants, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus promised at Belmont on June 8 that the fresh national approach to oversight in these areas is for will be useful for racing.
“This Belmont Stakes will be the first Triple Crown race ever run under HISA’s fresh anti-doping program,” Lazarus said. “I know some of you may not be convinced it will be a huge game-changer, but I can tell you it is.”
The ADMC program is operated by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, led by Managing Director Ben Mosier. Mosier explained the program, which allows HIWU to collect samples from covered horses outside of competition at locations across the country to ensure no banned substances are used before racing. A paperless documentation system is used for both pre- and post-race testing, which has already seen more than 3,500 tests since the ADMC was introduced at the end of May.
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Mosier also outlined a whistleblower program, which he said was well-received as the HIWU aims to build a testing program based on its investigations to target horses and trainers of concern.
“We have several anonymous whistleblower platforms that have been operating since May 22 and are receiving a lot of information,” Mosier said. “I think it's a fresh way for people to have a voice. It could be information about certain trainers, certain horses, or just things they notice.”
As a national organization, HISA provides some buffer from the local racetrack; Perhaps this will make people who have information more willing to share it. Under the federal regulatory system, would-be whistleblowers may have feared some sort of retaliation for raising awareness of problems or wrongdoing.
“I really believe in that as a general premise,” Lazarus said. “I think having a national governing body that is completely separate from the sport and doesn't interfere with day-to-day racing really ensures professionalism and objectivity. I think this will encourage people to come forward if it's a trust issue.
A huge change for this year's Belmont Stakes runners will be where samples collected after the race will be tested. Last year, samples were sent to the Recent York Equine Drug Testing and Research Laboratory as part of the Recent York State Gaming Commission. Because this laboratory is not one of the six laboratories approved for apply by HIWU, samples collected this year will be forwarded to the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of California-Davis.
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium had nine laboratories accredited for apply under the federal system. These laboratories were incorporated into the HIWU program, but after further review, the HIWU continued to operate only six of these laboratories. The Recent York Equine Drug Testing and Research Laboratory was one of three RMTC-accredited laboratories not selected.
“With the remaining three that are not part of our program (University of Florida Racing Laboratory), Recent York and Texas A&M (Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory), we have still discussed contract negotiations with all of them,” Mosier said. “Whether it’s pricing, performance specs or technology, they just didn’t see eye to eye.”
In addition to UC-Davis, the other five HIWU-accredited laboratories are the University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, the Analytical Toxicology Laboratory at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Animal Forensic Toxicology Laboratory at the University of Illinois-Chicago, and the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and industrial laboratories in Colorado. All six meet the same performance standards, ensuring consistent testing across the sport.
