Although behind the scenes for the fans, this year’s Belmont Stakes (G1) will see some protocol changes and pre- and post-race testing as the Equestrian Integrity and Safety Authority comes for the first time. First to oversee a classic tournament.
With HISA’s Anti-Doping and Drug Control program relaunched May 22, the program will be available for 1 1/2 miles of Belmont Stakes on June 10 at Belmont Park. The state regulator oversees these matters for the Kentucky Derby (G1) May 6 at Churchill Downs and Preakness Stakes (G1) May 20 at Racecourse Pimlico.
With many in the sport hoping that improvement in these areas could enhance race integrity and improve participant safety, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus promised on Thursday. June 8 in Belmont that a new approach to national surveillance in these areas will bring the race to fruition.
“This Belmont Stakes will be the first Triple Crown race organized under HISA’s new anti-doping program,” Lazarus said. “I know that some of you may not believe it will be a big game-changer, but I can tell you it is.”
The ADMC program is run by the Horseracing Welfare & Integrity Unit, led by chief executive officer Ben Mosier. Mosier outlines a program that will allow HIWU to collect non-competitive samples from covered horses at sites around the country to ensure prohibited substances are not used prior to a race. Both the pre- and post-race tests, which have passed 3,500 since ADMC’s launch in late May, are using a paperless documentation system.
Mosier also outlined a whistleblower program that he said was well received as HIWU sought to build a pilot program targeting horses and interested trainers based on their investigations.
“We have several anonymous whistleblower platforms that have been active since May 22, with a lot of information coming in,” Mosier said. “I think it’s a new way for people to have a say. It could be information about specific trainers, specific horses or just that they’re paying attention to things.”
As a national organization, HISA provides several stepping stones from the local circuit; perhaps make those with the information more willing to share it. Under the interstate regulatory system, potential whistleblowers may fear some form of punishment for calling attention to problems or misconduct.
“I really strongly believe in that common premise,” says Lazarus. “I think having a national governing body that’s completely separate from sport and doesn’t get involved in races day in and day out; that really gives professionalism and objectivity. I think that’s the thing. that will encourage people to come forward if it’s a matter of trust.”
One big change for this year’s Belmont Stakes runners will be where samples collected after the race will be tested. Last year, according to the New York State Gaming Commission, samples were sent to New York’s Horse Drug Testing and Research Laboratory. Because that lab is not one of six approved for use by HIWU, samples collected this year will be shipped to the lab at the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory in University of California-Davis.
The Racing Drug and Testing Association has accredited nine laboratories for interstate systematic use. Those labs were included in the HIWU program, but after further review, HIWU moved forward with just six of those labs. The New York Equine Research and Drug Testing and Research Laboratory was one of three RMTC-accredited laboratories that were not selected.
“The other three companies that are not in our program, (University of Florida Racing Lab), New York and Texas A&M (Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory), we’re still talking to all of them through contract negotiations,” Mosier said. “Whether it’s price, performance specs or technology, they’ve been inconsistent.”
Along with UC-Davis, the other five HIWU-accredited laboratories are the University of Kentucky’s Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, the Analytical Toxicology Laboratory at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the Animal Forensic Toxicology Laboratory. animals at the University of Illinois-Chicago, the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology Laboratory, and the Research Laboratory at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and the Industrial Laboratory in Colorado. All six meet the same performance standards, which should provide testing consistency for the sport.
anti-doping Belmont Park Belmont shares Ben Mosier HE HIWU Horse Health Horseracing Welfare and Integrity Unit Horseracing's Safety and Integrity Authority laboratory Lisa Lazarus medicine Northeast Purebred racing Three crowns
