WHRC adopts policy to assist trainers in medication administration
At the April 13, 2018 meeting the WHRC adopted a policy to address when a lab report that is received where the concentration is reported to be over newly adopted thresholds but under the previous threshold. If a report is received that the concentration is over the prior threshold, it would still be considered a violation and the appropriate penalty would be assessed. The adoption of the policy is intended to mitigate penalties to trainers in an effort to allow them to adjust their treatment programs to comply with the amended threshold levels. Click here to review the policy or the policy can be found on our Rules of Racing page.
WHRC adopts ARCI recommended thresholds and other rule changes
At the March 9, 2018 meeting the WHRC adopted the threshold levels for therapeutic substances as recommended by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI). The meeting was attended by numerous stakeholders who testified against the recommended thresholds. The commission, which began this process more than six years previously, voted unanimously to adopt the thresholds, and made statements that they were swayed by what they felt was in the best interest of the horse and for the safety of all participants. Additionally, the commissioners indicated that they felt that striving for uniform medication rules from jurisdiction to jurisdiction would be a benefit to the industry. The substances involved in WAC 260-70-630 and their new threshold levels are:
These thresholds, along with the complete list of approved therapeutics can be found in WAC 260-70-630. In WAC 260-70-640, Permitted Medications, the following thresholds that were approved are:
Other changes and additions approved at the meeting were the adoption of a new section to cover the ability of the commission to conduct Out of Competition Testing, WAC 260-70-575, and a new section was adopted to address hair testing process and procedures in Quarter Horse and Mixed Breed Races, WAC 260-70-665. All new sections and amendments will be in effect starting on April 10, 2018. In another adoption hearing, the commission expanded the circumstances in which a claim would be declared void in WAC 260-60-460 Cancellation of claims. The language would require a claim to be voided if at any time prior to the official transfer of a horse, a catastrophic injury occurs which requires the horse to be euthanized. Prior language only addressed an injury that occurs during the running of the race. In order to allow the horsemen and practicing veterinarian’s time to adjust to the new thresholds, the WHRC intends on adopting a policy to address when a lab report that is received where the concentration is reported to be over the new threshold but under the previous threshold. If a report is received that the concentration is over the prior threshold, it would still be considered a violation and the appropriate penalty would be assessed. All the rules adopted or amended by the WHRC can be seen on the Rules of Racing page by clicking here. Dr. Everett Macomber Elected WHRC Chair Dr. Everett Macomber WHRC Chair
At the January 12, 2018 meeting of the Washington Horse Racing Commission Dr. Everett Macomber was elected as the new chair of the commission. He will serve a two-year term as chair beginning January 2018 and ending January 2020. Dr. Macomber has served as a commissioner for the Washington Horse Racing Commission since 2013 and his biography can be found by clicking here.
2017 Owners and Breeders Bonuses finalized
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 2017 and the checks were mailed on November 17th and 18th.
The total Owners Bonus is determined by all handle in the State of Washington during the live Emerald Downs race meet which totaled $44,007,709.00, an increase of 5.24% from 2016. 1% of the handle is withheld for the bonus monies plus 2.5% of the Source Market Fees (SMF) generated from Advance Deposit Wagering, which in 2017 was $113,377.23. A total of $553,454.32 was generated for all owners of Washington Breds which finished first, second, third, or fourth at Emerald Downs. The total awards increased from $525,804.69 in 2016. Washington Breds earned $3,209,390.90 during the 2017 race meet. This figure is up from 2016 in which Washington Breds earned $3,149,435.48. This leads to a 17.2448% bonus to all owners of Washington Breds that qualified for the awards. There are 204 different owners or ownership groups that will receive the bonus checks for the 312 different Washington Bred horses that finished first, second, third, or fourth at Emerald Downs. The top five owners were in order: R.E.V. Racing, LLC, John & Janene Maryanski, Highlander Racing Stables LLC, Alan Bozell and Rising Star Stable II. The Breeders Bonus is determined by 1% of the handle from exotic wagers (all wagers other than win, place, and show) on live races offered at Emerald Downs as required in RCW 67.16.175. Additionally, 2.5% of Source Market Fees from Advance Deposit Wagering is also designated for the Breeders awards. For 2017 this generated $59,049.01 from the exotic wagers and $113,377.23 from SMF for a total award of $172,426.24. Emerald Downs Racing LLC added a $100,000.00 supplement to the Breeders awards this year which increased the total amount for the Breeders awards to $272,426.24. 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, 12.1429% for first place purses, 5.2874% for second place purses, and 5.3404% for third place purses. A total of 130 breeders will receive bonus checks for 282 different Washington Bred horses that finished first, second or third at Emerald Downs. The top five breeders were: El Dorado Farm (Ron & Nina Hagen), Bar C Racing Stable, Inc., Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Pabst (Blue Ribbon Farm), Elwin F. Gibson, and Dunn Bar Ranch LLC. Click here for a breakdown of the payment factors. |
Memorial scheduled Dr. A.L. Hallowell
A memorial in honor of longtime Washington horseman and former commissioner A. L. “Bud” Hallowell, 85, has been scheduled for May 10, 2018. The memorial will be held on the 4th floor of the Emerald Downs grandstand at 2:00 p.m. Bud passed away at home on November 2, 2017. Bud was appointed to the Washington Horse Racing Commission in December 2004 and served until December 2012 when he resigned to care for his ailing wife. He had first been licensed by the WHRC in 1954.
WHRC Publishes Withdrawal Time Recommendations for 2018
The WHRC has published updated drug withdrawal time recommendations for therapeutic medications with listed thresholds for 2018. The information on drug withdrawal times does not constitute and is not a warranty, guarantee, assurance, undertaking or anything similar that the results of the use of any of the drugs in the manner set out will be as stated or will not result in a positive pre or post-race violation. The Washington Horse Racing Commission is not responsible for results differing in any way from the results stated.
Use of the recommendations does not relieve or lessen any trainer’s responsibility for assuring that, during a horse race, a horse is free from any drug listed or below the appropriate threshold and for complying with provisions of the Washington Horse Racing Commission Rules of Racing and Statutes. Owners, trainers or any other person in charge or having care of a race horse are strongly advised to consult their own veterinarian for advice and guidance in the use of all drugs. The updated threshold list can be seen by clicking here or on the WHRC Forms & Reports page. The updated withdrawal time recommendations can be seen by clicking here or on the WHRC Forms & Reports page. 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.
Emerald Downs Dates UPDATED For 2018
At the January 12, 2018 meeting of the Washington Horse Racing Commission, Emerald Downs LLC requested a change to the previously approved race dates for the 2018 live racing season. In order to optimize purses and ensure quality field sizes, the request to reduce the live meet from 70 days to 67 days was approved.
Emerald Downs Racetrack and Casino will have a 67 day live racing season for 2018, with opening day on Sunday, April 22 and continuing through Sunday, September 23. The race dates were originally approved on Thursday, November 9th by the Washington Horse Racing Commission and changed at the January 12, 2018 meeting. "It’s all systems go for 2018 at Emerald Downs," track president Phil Ziegler said. "We are planning many exciting promotions, but it all begins and ends with our live racing product." Opening on Sunday is a first for Emerald Downs, and also the lone day of racing opening week. The track then offers Saturday/Sunday racing April 28-29 and May 5-6, with Friday racing beginning May 11 and continuing throughout the season. Post times are similar to previous years: 2 pm Sundays and 6:30 pm Fridays. Saturdays, however, are slightly different in 2018. The first seven Saturdays, April 28 thru June 9, feature a 2 pm post, and the final 15 Saturdays, June 16 thru September 22, will have a 5 pm post time. The annual Fireworks Spectacular on Tuesday, July 3, begins at 5 pm with live racing followed by the fireworks display. The 83rd Longacres Mile (G3) will be held Sunday, August 12, and the complete 2018 stakes schedule will be released in February. 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.
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