Racing Commissioners International has formally adopted a strategic association plan for the next three years that calls for the creation of a new state regulatory

structure for racing in the United States as well as new policies affecting the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids in racing horses.

“RCI members have spent the past year identifying those issues we believe need to be addressed to improve integrity, equine and canine welfare, and uniformity in regulation,” said RCI President Ed Martin. “We look forward to continued progress working with the industry to advance these items.”

A top priority of RCI is the creation of a new interstate compact for racing regulation in the United States. RCI has been working with the Council of State Governments and a public-private steering committee involving the NTRA, The Jockey Club, the USTA, National HBPA, and Keeneland to develop model state legislation to create an entity that enables individual racing commissions to jointly promulgate and adopt common rules.

RCI also seeks to modify existing rules affecting the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid medications in horses being trained for racing competitions.

“The RCI Regulatory Veterinarians Committee has expressed a serious concern that the current rules may jeopardize the integrity of pre-race examinations and unnecessarily expose horses and riders to potential danger,” Martin said. “We believe it’s time to revisit these issues and we intend to work with the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium to bring forward a new policy that the regulators can embrace and adopt.

“Clearly we understand and appreciate that these substances are legal and have therapeutic value, but they should not be used to mask an injury or condition that, if present, should preclude a horse from participation. That’s not fair to the horse, the rider, or all the good people in this sport who are trying to do the right thing.”

The association also proposes the creation of a wagering security consortium as a way to create a public-private partnership in addressing concerns about system security, pool manipulation, money laundering, and network security issues. Martin described this proposal as an “olive branch” to bridge long standing differences with some elements of the industry.

“The tracks, the regulators, and the players have a common interest here and we should start working on ways to address issues together and improve public confidence in the system,” he said.

In Greyhound racing, RCI proposes a greater emphasis on track surface issues and the development of a standardized trainers test. RCI seeks an industry funded study of kennel specifications to examine how current practice impacts canine welfare and to identify potential improvements.

The issues itemized in the strategic plan will be discussed at various meetings during the upcoming RCI Conference in Lexington, Ky., running April 12-15. The meetings will take place at the Lexington Downtown Hilton Hotel. Anyone interested in attending must register by calling 859.224.7070, extension 4001.

(RCI)