ORC: Claims Can Be Ruled Invalid

Published: July 15, 2009 04:00 pm EDT

In a notice to the industry sent out this afternoon, the Ontario Racing Commission has announced that claims can be ruled invalid if improper medications or drugs are found

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In its release, the ORC states that, "through its regulatory actions, the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) is fulfilling its mandate and sending a strong message to all involved in racing – that the illegal use of a therapeutic or non-therapeutic drug will not be tolerated."

At its meeting on July 9, 2009, the board of the ORC approved changes to the Standardbred and Thoroughbred Rules of Racing, which reinforce the commitment.

The release also states that the new rules will provide direction on what will happen if a claimed horse is found to have unacceptable levels of medications or drugs during an approved post race test.

With the changes, judges/stewards now have the authority, at the option of the claimant, to rule a claim invalid.

As of June 1 2009, the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) began testing for veterinary approved anabolic steroids. The ORC subsequently implemented a post-race user pay system which allows for trainers and owners to have a claimed horse post-race-tested at their own expense for steroids. This same procedure has allowed trainers and owners to have a claimed horse post race tested for EPO or any of its synthetic derivatives.

The following directives have been issued and should be referenced:

Standardbred Directive Number 4 – 2009
Thoroughbred Directive Number 3 – 2009

Click here to view a copy of the notice.

(With files from the ORC)

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