Volume 1, Issue 1 November 18, 2011

Horsemen’s Newsletter

Kentucky Commission – Race Day Medication Committee Race Day Lasix Forum – November 14, 2011 By: Peter Ecabert—National HBPA The HBPA was well represented at the medication forum held to consider the administration of Lasix on race day. Attending from the HBPA were President Rick Hiles, Executive Director Marty Maline, Directors William “Buff” Bradley and David England. Dr. Tom Tobin and Rick Hiles were scheduled as witnesses and Marty Maline together with David England also gave testimony during the hearing.

Rick Hiles summarized his experiences as a trainer of 39+ years to put into perspective the training methods before Lasix and the benefits of this medication administered on race day that alleviates most concerns with Exercise Inducted Pulmonary Hemorrhage (“EIPH”). He responded to Committee Member John Ward’s questions concerning the HBPA position on Lasix and to his question concerning whether Rick would be in favor of an alternative medication to treat EIPH. Rick responded with the HBPA position and explained that if another medication was shown to be as effective as Lasix that he would be in favor but was not aware of any such alternative. Dr. Tobin gave the HBPA position as contained in the resolution unanimously adopted in Seattle calling for permitted race day use of Lasix administered by a regulatory vet with all other adjunct bleeder medications banned. While a number of Dr. Tobin’s Exhibits summarizing his research findings were used by Dr. Sams, the members did not have any questions for Dr. Tobin. Marty quoted the late owner and breeder of Ruffian, Stuart Janney, Jr. (father of current Vice Chairman of Jockey Club and past Chairman of TOBA) who initially was against Lasix and changed his position after experiences of EIPH in his horses. Director David England destroyed the arguments of Arthur Hancock and others who testified that the reason the popularity of racing has and is deteriorating and sports like NASCAR are flourishing is because of horse racing has a perceived problem with drugs. England stated that horse racing has a marketing problem not a drug problem. He stated that many racing fans have never heard of Lasix and it makes no difference to the fan either way. Our problems are much more marketing related he testified.

The first witness of the day was Dr. Alice Stack of Michigan State who detailed the existing medical studies involving EIPH and theaputic effects of Lasix and gave a compelling power point presentation that favored administration of Lasix. The Commission’s medical director, Mary Scollay, testified that the use of Lasix has not been shown to contribute to fragile bones and fractures in horses as has been shown to occur when used by elderly humans. Dr. Scollay also acknowledge ethical and regulatory concerns about allowing race day medication for some horses and not for others as is the position advocated by TOBA’s Graded Stakes Committed in banning Lasix in graded stakes for 2 year olds and by the Breeders Cup in its ban of Lasix for 2 year olds next year with ban for all ages beginning in 2013.

Proponents of a ban on Lasix were the Jockey Club, TOBA, Bill Casner, Arthur Hancock, Lincoln Collin of Bloodstock Agent Kern Thoroughbreds and Neil Howard of Gainesway Farm, PETA and Humane Society of America. It seemed that the proponents of the ban were subject to much more intense questioning form the Members of the Committee than those representatives favoring the HBPA-RMTC position.

The Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners made a strong statement for the use of Lasix as follows: “As stewards for the health of the horse, the 300 Veterinary members of the KAEP UNEQUIVOCALLY support the use of race-day furosemide as a preventative for EIPH in the thoroughbred racehorse. It has been proven through long clinical experience and rigorous prospective scientific studies that a majority of racehorses worldwide bleed into their lungs during strenuous exercise or racing. Each episode of EIPH results in cumulative damage to the lungs. Sever episodes of EIPH put the life of the horse and jockey in danger. Furosemide has been proven effective at significantly reducing the rate, occurrence and severity of EIPH in thoroughbred racehorses. … A decision to ban the use of race-day furosemide unnecessarily jeopardizes the health and safety of the Thoroughbred racehorse and its jockey.”

Terry Meyocks on behalf of the Jockey Guild was likewise a strong proponent of the continued use of Lasix on race day and endorsed the RMTC position on continued use with the administration by regulatory vet and ban on other adjunct bleeder medications. Mr. Meyocks brought up the concern for the safety of jockeys and discounted the negative effect such medication use has on the betting public. The American Association of Equine Practitioners likewise was in favor of continued use of race day Lasix.

While there are never absolutes when trying to predict the future movements of a governmental commission, it appeared that the evidence based upon objective scientific study was presented in as favorable a manner as could be hoped for the continued use of race day Lasix. Horsemen’s Newsletter

Science speaks on Lasix at the racetrack By: Jennie Rees - The Courier Journal

To me, if there’s a public perception problem about furosemide, it’s

because a small, influential cadre in the industry has done an

excellent job intertwining furosemide’s regulated use with illegal

drugs and making it sound as if horses are hopped up to their

eyeballs. Actually, racehorses probably are the cleanest athletes out

there.

You hear horse players complain about what some believe is the use

of illegal drugs. You don’t hear them complain about Lasix. But I

suspect you will hear complaints when their 6-5 shot fades in the

stretch and they’re left guessing if it bled or was outrun.

Some of my questions:

Hard science has finally entered into the emotional debate in Does anybody think banning Lasix will stop cheaters? Don’t you Kentucky over whether racehorses should be allowed to run on the think they’ll just seek out the latest designer medication that prevents popular anti-bleeder medication furosemide. bleeding?

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission held a hearing Monday on Do we want to revert to the era when trainers held back water from race-day application of the widely-used substance, whose their horses on race day in an effort to prevent bleeding? tradename is Salix but which everyone calls Lasix.

The Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders The star of the show was Dr. Alice Stack, from Michigan State Association point at Lasix for weakening the breed. Where is the University’s equine pulmonary laboratory, who is studying Exercise outrage over more lenient rules at sales? Where is the outrage over Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage, or bleeding. the fact that disclosing conformational leg surgeries in yearlings is

not mandatory? Stack explained the physiological reasons why horses bleed, that the

vast majority of horses will bleed at some stage, that the effects are If they believe bleeding is hereditary (and that’s not been proven), cumulative and that furosemide is the only medication proven to help why are breeders who want to see a furosemide ban putting known prevent or reduce bleeding. bleeders into the production pipeline?

“When a horse runs, their heart rate goes from between 28 and 40 Several speakers testified that foreign buyers lack confidence in U.S. beats a minute when standing quietly, up to almost 250 beats a bloodstock because so many horses race on furosemide. That minute,” she said. doesn’t jibe with Sheikh Mohammed being the leading buyer at

Keeneland’s September sale for the 11th time. Or with A combination of factors make race-day conditions “the most ideal reporting buyers from 29 countries. for bleeding,” Stack said, adding that research shows “eliminating

race-day furosemide is likely to result in more severe bleeds.” What about the European owners who send their bleeders to

America to race? Stack put facts behind what trainers and vets have said for decades,

based on experience. As emotions rage, here’s hoping the KHRC sticks with the science.

Alan Leavitt, a standardbred owner and breeder who is on the race- Visit Jennie’s Blog - day medication committee, said that the regulated Lasix program works and that the industry’s time, effort and resources would be far better spent going after illegal drugs that have no therapeutic value.

“Salix is not a problem,” he said.

Leavitt said that furosemide levels the playing field because it’s affordable, readily available and controlled and that everybody knows who is on it because it’s designated in track programs.

Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 1

Board Meeting Update—November 15, 2011

Gary Falter, Vice President and Director of Operations of the Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc., explained to the President and Board of KHBPA that the Jockey Club had reached out to McKinsey & Co. to determine how the racing industry can grow and how that growth can be sustained. The Mckinsey report determined that there is currently no information source to assist owners in making decisions to purchase and manage Thoroughbreds and select their trainers. To that end, Gary is on a special assignment to lead the development of a comprehensive information resource for Thoroughbred owners. Gary provided a thumbnail sketch of the project and is reaching out to horsemen for suggestions on what issues to address.

Kenny McPeek, KHBPA Board member updated the Board on his project, “Horse Races Now,” which will make replays of races available via phone or ipod. “Horsemen will receive notice when horses are going into the gate and then have the opportunity to view the running of a race live on their phone,” Kenny explained. The “Horse Races Now” website will be up and running in the very near future.

Bob Benson, General Counsel KHBPA, expressed the opinion to the Board that during this legislative session there is a strong possibility that gaming legislation will be revisited.

Rick Hiles, President KHBPA and Frank Jones, Vice President KHBPA, have been meeting with Larry Clark, Speaker Pro Tem, Kentucky House of Representatives, along with Kevin Flannery, President of , on possible legislation to enhance purses at Kentucky’s racetracks.

A discussion ensued regarding usual and customary race dates at Kentucky racetracks. Board members expressed concern that racetracks may be operating under the assumption that the reduced racing schedules have become the usual and customary dates. Rick and Frank both explained that in any proposed legislation, we have been vigilant to assure that the usual customary dates are as they were in 1994. Frank suggested that the KHBPA request that the racetracks, in their racing and simulcasting dates application, apply for the usual and customary dates and then any revisions to the usual and customary dates can be considered by the Dates Committee of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

The Instant Racing experiment at Kentucky Downs is beginning to produce impressive numbers after just two months in operation:

Kentucky Downs Instant Racing Machine 2011 Handle and Revenue September Average Handle Per Day - $144,633 October Average Handle Per Day-$218,360 September Total Purses Generated-$43,210 October Total Purses Generated-$66,454

Rick reported on the new office which is next to the old office location. He explained that the monthly payments are cheaper and the

Trainer Automatic Deduction Form

The Churchill Downs fees. forms are available in the Horsemen’s Committee which “It is purely voluntary on the part KHBPA office and trailer or in includes Churchill Downs of an owner,” explained Buff the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper management, KHBPA Directors Bradley. “It must be signed in office. Dale Romans and Wm. “Buff” front of a notary and presented Bradley, and the KTA approved to the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper. the TRAINER AUTOMATIC This is all about cash flow. It DEDUCTION FORM, which will provides the opportunity for enable trainers to receive their trainers to keep current with fee for purse earnings from an some of their creditors.” The automatic deduction from the trainer automatic deduction purse account similar to jockey’s

Page 3 Horsemen’s Newsletter

Main Office Phone: 502-363-1077 Board of Directors 3729 S. 4th Street Fax: 502-367-6800 Rick Hiles– President Louisville, KY 40214 E-mail: Marty Maline– Executive Director Monday—Friday [email protected] John Griffith –Treasurer 8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m. www.kyhbpa.org Sara Toomey– Executive Assistant

Find us on Facebook! Trainer Directors Dale Romans– 2nd Vice President William “Buff” Bradley Field Offices William Connelly David England Kenneth McPeek Churchill Downs Backside 502-637-7935 R.C. Sturgeon - 1st Alternate Trackside 502-969-1455 Owner Directors Keeneland 800-456-3412 (Ask for HBPA) Frank L. Jones, Jr– Vice President Thoroughbred Training Center 859-293-5672 Ann Banks Michael J. Bruder Turfway Park 859-647-4764 Peter W. Salmen, Jr. Ellis Park 812-435-8956 Dr. Randy Scheen Jack Stewart-1st Alternate

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