The Minnesota Racing Commission, which regulates horse racing and card clubs at racetracks in the state, has announced the passage and signing into law of MRC-sponsored legislation facilitating the establishment of therapeutic drug threshold limits for racehorses
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The sophistication of new drug testing technologies can now detect drugs to minuscule levels. Often these trace levels of drugs have no pharmacological impact or performance enhancing benefit to the race horse but are the residue from legitimate drug treatment. The MRC will complete within a month the rule making process to establish the new therapeutic drug threshold limits based on the latest science, testing technology and veterinarian expertise.
"This legislation is critically important to assure race horses are given proper medication therapy while preventing any potential abuse," stated Jesse Overton, chair of the Minnesota Racing Commission. "The MRC uses highly regarded and accredited drug testing laboratories who have leading-edge technology that can, for the first time, detect trace levels of drugs. It is imperative that we reexamine the medication thresholds and establish new levels which prevent any performance enhancing benefits but still assure the horses get their needed treatments."
Additionally, an amendment to the bill allows additional card playing tables at the state horse-racing tracks and permits pari-mutuel betting at the tribal casinos. The additional tables will benefit the purses and encourage the breeding and racing of more quality horses.
(MRC)