Mike Hopkins of the Maryland Racing Commission and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium were honored by the Association of Racing Commissioners International.
The annual Conference on Racing Integrity and Equine Welfare will focus on what the ARCI calls “blunt discussion” of key racing issues.
Three former racing regulators will comprise the panel assessing whether states are in compliance with key integrity regulations.
The ARCI will alter its recommended multiple medication violation points system and strengthen its out-of-competition testing rule.
The ARCI, representing state racing commissioners, will begin measuring compliance of states with its recommended uniform medication program and of stewards with recommended penalties.
Thoroughbred industry stakeholders want greater uniformity in medication rules — but prefer it come through an organization accountable to state regulators, says an ARCI survey.
The ARCI — almost done with a lengthy town hall process to develop industry consensus on key issues – now seeks participant input via an online survey.
The latest updated ARCI model rules include a new safety provision and a new rule pertaining to multi-selection wagers.
We spent a few minutes chatting with ARCI president Ed Martin, who is spearheading an effort to build industry consensus around medication issues.
If all goes according to ARCI plan, by next year mid-Atlantic states will implement a point system to punish trainers who repeatedly violate medication rules. But not everyone is applauding.