April Commission Meeting Canceled, Special Meeting anticipated
The WHRC commission meeting scheduled for April 17, 2020 has been canceled due to concerns with COVID-19. It is anticipated that a special meeting will be called sometime after April 9, 2020. More information will be available on this website closer to the date of the anticipated special meeting.
WHRC Office hours change due to COVID-19 for Emerald Downs and Olympia
Beginning on March 25, 2020 the WHRC office at Emerald Downs will be open from 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday until further notice. Beginning March 30, 2020, the office in Olympia will be closed on Mondays, and hours for Tuesday through Friday will be 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. until further notice.
WHRC Restricts access to stable area, including owners, to combat COVID-19
On March 23, 2020 an Emergency rule was filed that restricts access to the stable area to only individuals that currently hold a valid WHRC license that has been deemed essential in taking care of the horses. A list of the licensees deemed appropriate is in the rule. This action is taken to prevent possible outside exposure to the COVID-19 virus and to protect those working in the stable area. Owners are not currently allowed access to the stable area, and while this may be seen as extreme, we are facing extreme challenges. This restriction includes prohibiting licensees from signing in friends and family members, including minor children. The exceptions are individuals who arrive with supplies and those transporting horses to the grounds. A log will be maintained by the association security to review those that gain access to the stable area. When the threat of exposure has lessened, the emergency rule will be removed and access will return to normal. For the text of the rule click here.
2020 WHRC Approved thresholds for therapeutic medication and withdrawal guidelines
The WHRC and the Equine Medical Director have published a listing for 2020 of all approved therapeutic medications thresholds, and withdrawal guidelines. Additionally, information regarding compounded medication, nutraceuticals, and the use of CBD oils are provided by clicking on the links below:
Cannabidiol Bulletin Feb. 2019 - click here CBD Update - click here RMTC Nutraceuticals 101 A Trainer's Guide - click here WHRC Thresholds 2020 - click here WHRC Withdrawal Time Recommendations 2020 - click here WHRC now hiring for the 2020 racing seasonThe WHRC is recruiting for positions to be filled for the 2020 racing season. Jobs open are for a clerk of scales and veterinary assistants. The positions will be from late April/early May until late September (timing for all positions dependent on COVID-19 outbreak). Please follow the links below if interested and for more details and duties associated with the positions.
Clerk of Scales click here. Veterinary Assistant click here. Now Accepting Credit & Debit Cards
The Washington Horse Racing Commission is now accepting Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit and debit cards for the payment of WHRC license fees, Labor & Industries Industrial Insurance premiums and other fines/fees collected. A service fee of 3% will be added to all credit or debit transactions.
2019 Owners and Breeders Bonuses Distributed
The Owners and Breeders bonuses have been calculated using the total handle by Washington State residents during the live race meet at Emerald Downs in 2019 and the checks were mailed on November 22nd.
The total Owners Bonus is determined by all handle in the State of Washington during the live Emerald Downs race meet which totaled $38,711,003.60, a decline of 2.99% from 2018. 1% of the handle is withheld for the bonus monies plus 2.5% of the Source Market fees generated from Advance Deposit Wagering, which in 2019 was $126,888.79. A total of $503,998.83 was generated for all owners of Washington Breds which finished first, second, third, or fourth at Emerald Downs. Washington Breds earned $2,843,501.44 during the 2019 race meet. This leads to a 17.7246% bonus to all owners of Washington Breds that qualified for the awards. There are 168 different owners or ownership groups that will receive the bonus checks for the 284 different Washington Bred horses that finished first, second, third, or fourth at Emerald Downs. The top five owners were in order: One Horse Will Do Corp, Jean Harris's Clemens View Farm, John and Janene Maryanski, Tim Floyd's Warlock Stables LLC, and Ron Crockett Inc. The Breeders Bonus is determined by 1% of the handle on all exotic wagers on races conducted at Emerald Downs, (all wagers other than win, place, and show), during the live meet as required in RCW 67.16.175. Additionally, 2.5% of Source Market Fees from Advance Deposit Wagering is designated as well. For 2019 this generated $45,563.36 from the exotic wagers and $126,888.79 from SMF for a total award of $172,452.15. All breeders of Washington Bred horses which finish first, second, or third receive bonus awards. Of the money generated, 75% is given to the horses for purses earned when finishing first, 15% for purses earned for second, and 10% for purses earned for third place. The percentages for the awards is as follows, 8.6087% for first place purses, 3.9495% for second place purses, and 3.7845% for third place purses. A total of 113 breeders will receive bonus checks for 260 different Washington Bred horses that finished first, second or third at Emerald Downs. The top five breeders were: El Dorado Farm (Ron & Nina Hagen), Debbie and Frederick Pabst's Blue Ribbon Farm, Bar C Racing Stable, Inc., Tim Floyd's Warlock Stable LLC, and Jean Harris's Clemens View Farm. Click here for a breakdown of the Breeders Awards payment factors. Click here for a breakdown of the Owners Bonus payment factors. Emerald Downs announces 2020 Race Dates
Emerald Downs Racetrack and Casino has announced a 63-day live racing season in 2020, with opening day Saturday, April 18 and continuing through Sunday, September 20.
The 2020 race dates were approved at the Washington Horse Racing Commission monthly meeting Friday at Auburn City Hall. Emerald Downs Racetrack and Casino, which is owned by the Muckleshoot Tribe, will be celebrating their 25th season of racing. Opening Day (Post time 2 pm) is the lone racing day opening weekend, followed by Saturday/Sunday racing April 25-26 and May 2-3. Friday night racing begins May 8, continuing through August. Post times remain similar to last season: 2 pm Sundays, 6:50 pm Fridays. The first eight Saturdays, April 18 through June 6, feature a 2 pm post, while the final 15 Saturdays, June 13 though September 19, feature a 5 pm start. Championship Sunday – featuring four stakes including the 85th Longacres Mile (G3) – is scheduled Sunday, August 9. The complete 2020 stakes schedule will be released in January. The list of live race days can be seen by clicking here. Follow the WHRC Board of Stewards on Twitter
You can now follow the WHRC Board of Stewards on twitter. Get the latest rider changes, scratches, etc. directly from the stewards. Limited explanation of inquires and objections will be posted with a link to the Emerald Downs website for daily stewards report with a more detailed explanation that are up within 72 hours of each race day. Click here to start following at @whrcstewards for all the information.
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Fingerprint Requirements for 2020
The WHRC adopted changes to WAC 260-36-100 in 2019 which resulted in changes to the fingerprint requirements for applicants and licensees. Fingerprint based criminal history checks through the FBI are normally required every five years but may be required at any time. Each year every person between the ages of eighteen and sixty-nine must pay a $10 fingerprint processing fee in addition to the license fees. Any applicant or licensee over the age of sixty-nine or under the age of eighteen will not be required to pay the $10 fingerprint fee unless fingerprints are requested by the WHRC and they will be required to pay the entire cost of the submission at time of processing. Additionally, fingerprints may be required in the following circumstances:
2019 WHRC Annual Report
The Washington Horse Racing Commission's 2019 Annual Report to the Governor is available to view by visiting the WHRC Forms and Reports page or clicking here.
Washington State’s Down the Stretch Ranch Garners National Attention
Down The Stretch Ranch co-founded in 2015 by Hall of Fame Trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, his wife Janet, and Boone McCanna in Creston, Washington has gotten national attention recently. The foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit thoroughbred race horse retirement facility which connects injured or retired racehorses with United States Veterans and through the use of equine therapy helps bring comfort and companionship to veterans.
Down The Stretch ranch was recently placed in national spotlight by trainer Doug O’Neill whose support of the foundation was on display during Breeders Cup week when his horses wore coolers featuring Down The Stretch Ranch. The Paulick Report also recently featured an article written by Hank Wesch of Del Mar about Down The Stretch Ranch and the work it is doing with retired thoroughbred racehorses and veterans that can be viewed by clicking here. For more information on Down The Stretch Ranch and what can be done to support their cause please visit their website http://www.downthestretch.org/ or their Facebook page by clicking here. Rulemaking Notification List
Any person who wishes to receive notification about WHRC rulemaking activities can be added to the stakeholder list. Requests to be added to the stakeholder list may be made by email at whrc@whrc.state.wa.us, by telephone at 360-459-6462, by fax at 360-459-6461, or by mail at 6326 Martin Way, Suite 209, Olympia, WA 98516-5578.
WHRC 2017-2019 Biennial Budget Request
The WHRC has submitted its request for the 2017-2019 biennial budget to the Washington State Legislature. To review the entire budget click here.
Labor and Industries Rates for 2020
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has published its 2020 industrial insurance rates for the Horse Industry Account. Rates are determined by data from the previous five years, July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2019 of exposure and claim experience. Rate have increased slightly after decreasing the previous two years. For Risk Class 6625, (grooms and assistant trainers, monthly), 6626, (Exercise and pony riders at the track, per horse per day), and 6627, (Exercise and pony riders on a farm, per hour).
Good safety procedures in the stable area and ensuring that no fraudulent claims are filed are the best ways to stabilize and continue to reduce premiums in the future. The following are the industrial insurance rates for 2020:
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