The Horseracing Safety and Integrity Authority is considering including Puerto Rico in oversight of the rules and enforcement of safety rules and anti-doping/drug controls.
Created by federal law signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in December 2020, HISA is responsible for drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred races. across the United States. Operating under the Federal Trade Commission, it will launch safety initiatives on July 1.
HISA executive director Lisa Lazarus said the agency was approached by several people with industry ties in Puerto Rico to ask if the US territory could be included in their surveillance. Puerto Rico hosts the race at the Hipodromo Camarero outside of San Juan.
Lazarus said HISA is looking at including Puerto Rico but noted that the Agency is often overseen through its ability to cut race simulation programs.
“The only problem is that they don’t fall into the definition of ‘covered’ because they don’t output their signal,” Lazarus said. “So I’m trying to work with the legal team on whether there’s still a chance for them to opt in because technically we don’t have jurisdiction over them.
“I know that they really want to be a part of it.”
Lazarus said a representative for Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare asked about being included, as did an attendee representing Puerto Rico’s racing commission at the Association of Racing Commissioners’ international convention in April. in Lexington.
In a May 15 letter to Lazarus from Puerto Rico Game Commission member Jaime Rivera, racing director Juan Santaella, and equine security and welfare representative Gilbert Ferrer, they expressed surprise However, when it was discovered last month that the island territory was not included in HISA.
“About 65% of racehorses in Puerto Rico are imported, many of whom are elderly, injured and nearing the end of their racing careers. The new rules and regulations on the grander level are a step in the right direction for the racing industry. ours,” the letter stated. “All the horses here are registered with The Jockey Club and their races and information are reported to Equibase like most mainland racetracks.
“We here in Puerto Rico need to be part of HISA for the safety of not only our horses but those of our jockeys.”
Puerto Rico has faced a number of equine welfare problems in recent years. In December, the Puerto Rico Game Commission approved an order creating a new set of criteria for how Thoroughbred racehorses must be transported to the island in cargo boats, with the goal of transporting them in such a manner. safer and more humane. The rules call for anyone who doesn’t follow the new regulations to be denied access to the Camarero, barred from registering horses shipped in Puerto Rico and fined $2,500 per horse transported if violate the new rules.
With no easy options for shipping off the island, the thoroughbred horses at the track were hit by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare reports that 32 horses at Camarero have died. dry after the storm.
