Drug testing: what

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2008 ROAP Conference on Officiating Horse
Racing

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Mission of RMTC

• Formed in 2002 as a 501 (c) (3) charitable
  organization
• To develop, promote and coordinate, at the
  national level, policies, research and
  educational programs that seek to
• ensure fairness and integrity of racing
• ensure the health and safety of racehorses and
  participants
• protect the interests of the racing public

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Participation Organizations on the Board of
Directors

• AAEP
• AQHA
• Arabian Jockey Club
• Breeders Cup
• California TB Trainers
• Churchill Downs
• Del Mar
• Hambletonian Society
• Harness Tracks of America    
• Jockeys Guild
• Keeneland
• Kentucky TB Association

• Magna Entertainment
• National HBPA
• NTRA
• NYRA
• Oak Tree
• RCI
• THA
• The Jockey Club
• TOBA
• TB Owners of California
• TRA
• TRPB
• USTA

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Funding

• Nearly 3.7 million from industry organizations
  and individuals from 2003-2008
• 2008 Contributions 895,000
• Cash on Hand 1,200,000
• 2009 Projected Funding
• 1 per start from horsemen and tracks
• 700,000 from industry organizations
• 500,000 research and testing grants fromJockey
  Club and outside funding sources
• Tax-deductible donations from individuals

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Research

• Performance enhancers
• Environmental contaminants
• Threshold levels and withdrawal times for
  therapeutic medications
• Anabolic steroids
• Cortico-steroids
• Unknown acquisition and analysis

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Model Medication Policies Drug Rules

• Adoption of Model Rules for uniform policy on
  therapeutic medications in 32 of 38 states
• Veterinary practices
• Prohibited drugs
• Prohibited practices
• Lasix the only permitted race day medication

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Model Rules Phase 1
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Penalty Guidelines

• Approval of Model Rules for more severe uniform
  penalties for the use of prohibited drugs and
  practices by RCI board of directors
• Class A Illegal, not approved,
  significant performance enhancement
• Lifetime
• 1st Offense Minimum 1 year 10,000
  
  Maximum 3 year 25,000
• 3rd Offense Minimum 5 year 50,000
  Maximum 10
  year 100,000
• Veterinarians, owners, other culpable licensees
  and horses can be suspended.

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Mitigating Circumstances

• The past record of the trainer, veterinarian and
  owner in drug cases
• The potential of the drug(s) to influence a
  horses racing performance
• The legal availability of the drug
• Whether there is reason to believe the
  responsible party knew of the administration of
  the drug or intentionally administered the drug
• The steps taken by the trainer to safeguard the
  horse

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Mitigating Circumstances

• The probability of environmental contamination or
  inadvertent exposure due to human drug use
• The purse of the race
• Whether the drug found was one for which the
  horse was receiving a treatment as determined by
  the Medication Report Form
• Whether there was any suspicious betting pattern
  in the race, and
• Whether the licensed trainer was acting under the
  advice of a licensed veterinarian.

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Anabolic Steroids

• Secured RCI adoption of uniform Model Rules to
  regulate the use of anabolic steroids
• Adopted by 20 states
• At least 13 other states have started the
  adoption process
• These states represent over 96 of the total
  Thoroughbred pari-mutuel racing handle
• RMTC and RCI have encouraged every state to
  complete the adoption process by
• December 31, 2008 or before racing begins in 2009

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Anabolic Steroid Model Rule
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Other Accomplishments

• Developed a model rule on out-of-competition drug
  testing approved by RCI board of directors
• Established a recommended policy to eliminate
  Milk Shaking
• Compiled withdrawal times for therapeutic
  medications in 18 states

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Withdrawal Times Database

• www.rmtcnet.com

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2009-2010 Goals

• Drug Testing Initiative
• WADA style uniform testing protocols best
  practices
• Proficiency, blind double-blind sample quality
  assurance program
• International laboratory accreditation standards
  (ISO-17025)
• National system of research and reference
  laboratories
• Frozen sample retroactive testing program
• Refined selection of horses for sample collection
• Recruitment program for grad student post
  doctoral internships research positions at U.S.
  racing labs

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2009-2010 Goals

• Research and develop best practices, proper
  procedures and model rules to regulate
  cortico-steroids
• Encourage state legislatures to provide more
  funding for drug testing and racing commission
  investigative staff
• Work in close cooperation with Dr. Don Catlins
  Anti-Doping Research laboratory
• Provide effective and timely communications of
  RMTC programs, research and initiatives to racing
  industry organizations, media and racing fans