DEL MAR MEETING OPENS ■ PINNACLE BRINGS RACING BACK TO DETROIT ® 25 THOROUGHBREDThe Weekly Newsmagazine of Thoroughbred Racing TIMESwww.thoroughbredtimes.com Southwest Spotlight Volume 24, Number 30 July 26, 2008 $4.95 California, Kentucky move forward on steroid policy by Frank Angst and Jeff Lowe FTER a few false starts in some states, Racing Med- A ication and Testing Consortium Secretary Rick Arthur, D.V.M., is glad to see some major states adding equine an- abolic steroid regulations. Arthur said the consortium, a national organization with representatives from throughout the industry that has shaped Sluggish start equine drug policy, has enjoyed some success in racing’s decentralized structure. “It would certainly be easier if it was one-stop shopping, if horse racing had a World Anti-Doping Association model. It’s Exchange Rate filly tops Fasig-Tipton always been the bane of uniform medication or any uniform rule in horse racing that you do have to go state by state,” Arthur said. “Inevitably, you have a few people in a state here July sale hit with declines or there who want to do things entirely different. That’s just what you have to deal with. So it is a problem. I think all of us who have dealt with uniform regulations, whether it’s med- ication or anything, rec- ognize that.” Next week This month, two major racing states moved for- Comprehensive look ward on steroid policy. On July 16, a Kentucky at anabolic steroids Horse Racing Commis- in racing sion subcommittee rec- ommended the Kentucky Equine Drug Council ban anabolic androgenic steroids in racehorses. The council makes drug policy recommendations to the Kentucky Horse Racing Com- mission, which looks on schedule to have a steroid policy in place late this year or early next year. The next day, the California Horse Racing Board gave final approval for a reclassification of the anabolic steroids bolde- none, nandrolone, stanozolol, and testosterone to Class 3 sta- tus, which would carry penalties resulting in purse redistribution and trainer suspensions and/or fines for any postitives. Barring any complications in the Office of Ad- ministrative Law’s regulatory process, the measure will prob- ably become law near the start of the Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park meeting on September 24. In 2007, the Association of Racing Commissioners Inter- national (RCI) passed model rules banning anabolic steroids in horses in training. Boldenone, nandrolone, stanozolol, and testosterone are allowed for horses recuperating from sickness or injury. Only one of those four can be adminis- tered at a given time. The RCI passes model rules to help member commis- sions reach consistency in regulation. With a heightened spotlight on steroids in all sports and more attention on equine health and welfare issues, states have picked up the pace in adopting the rule. National Thoroughbred Racing Association President Alex Waldrop has called for the model rule to be adopted by year’s end by all states. The Jockey Club’s Thorough- bred Safety Committee calls for the same. Ten states have steroid policies in place based upon the model rule. Iowa had a policy in place before the model rule Photo by Z/James Crisp continued on page 12 NEWS Advances in How to prep utility vehicles 22 weanlings 43 NEWSLINE REGIONAL New York nearing decision on Aqueduct racino operator All three groups seeking Aque- billion better off in this state. It ought part of its new franchise, Schenectady), whose duct’s gaming contract have been to get done.” NYRA will receive $105- district includes qualified following a review by the NYRA, despite getting a new 25- million from the state Saratoga Race Course. state Lottery Division, and New York year franchise agreement to run Sara- and relinquish owner- In a surprise move, Governor David Paterson is expected toga, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct, ship of its tracks to the former Capital Play Inc. to announce a racino operator in the Former Senate Majority Leader is now operating with the sixth in a state. Chief Executive Officer near future. Joseph L. Bruno (R-Brunswick), whose series of temporary extensions until That money will not Karl O’Farrell stepped The selection also requires the ap- district included Saratoga Race Course, its bankruptcy proceedings are re- become available until down recently, con- proval of Senate Majority Leader called on leaders to make a decision solved. The gaming operator’s se- bankruptcy is con- cerned that his foreign Dean Skelos (R-Nassau County) and soon in order to relieve the New York lection is closely tied to NYRA’s efforts cluded, which requires national status was de- Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Racing Association’s financial stress. to emerge from Chapter 11 protec- the gaming operator’s laying the state’s vetting (D-Manhattan). Bruno, 79, left office early on July tion, which it filed for on November selection. process because his 18 after announcing he would 2, 2006. Staff for all three JOSEPH L. BRUNO background informa- Groups seeking Aqueduct not seek re-election this fall NYRA and whichever entity is cho- state leaders have been tion had to be obtained following 32 years in the state sen must reach a joint lease agree- negotiating and reviewing the bid- from overseas. racino contract Legislature. ment with the state to run Aqueduct. ders, with NYRA’s input, for several O’Farrell has been the face of Cap- “I thought six weeks ago that ■ New York-based Delaware North Companies That cannot be done until the gam- months. It is unclear, however, who ital Play ever since the company ■ Manhattan’s S.L. Green Realty Corp. and part- it was pretty well concluded,” ing operator is decided because each will get the contract, which has be- emerged as one of three challengers ner Hard Rock Entertainment, which is owned he said of the selection process. bidder has a different racino plan. come one of the most closely trying to replace NYRA as the state’s by Florida’s Seminole Indians “We lose $1-million every day NYRA President Charles Hayward guarded secrets in Albany. racetrack operator. When NYRA re- ■ Capital Play Inc., which is partnered with Mo- [video lottery terminals] aren’t has said the organization might run “Most of that’s being done behind tained the racing franchise, Capital hegan Sun casino of Connecticut, Extell De- operating. If that had been up out of cash in September if bank- closed doors,” said Assembly Mi- Play began pursuing the Aqueduct velopment, and Plainfield Asset Management five years ago, we’d be $2.5- ruptcy is not resolved by then. As nority Leader James Tedisco (R- gaming contract.—Paul Post Thoroughbreds possible but unlikely at Rosecraft REGIONAL DIGEST With Rosecroft Raceway, once the president of track operator Clover- Rickman Jr.), and the five-furlong leading Standardbred track in Mary- leaf Enterprises, to continue to offer banked oval would have to be re- NYRA to boost purses at Saratoga land, on the brink of extinction, the Standardbred and Thoroughbred configured for Thoroughbred rac- state soon will begin to examine the simulcast wagering at Rosecroft while ing. That most likely would cost The New York Racing Association plans to increase purses for open com- feasibility of racing Thoroughbreds discontinuing live racing. millions of dollars. pany route races on the dirt and turf at Saratoga Race Course this sum- at the financially strapped Prince The track will host a limited num- “They’d have to build a new race- mer based on the number of horses in a race. The revamped purse structure was sched- George’s County facility. ber of restricted stakes races in No- track,” said Cricket Goodall, exec- uled to begin on July 23, opening day at Saratoga. The state House of Delegates vember and December but no regular utive director of the Maryland Horse 1 For dirt races at 1 ⁄8 miles and longer, NYRA quietly passed a bill at racing. Breeders Association. “Without will provide incremental increases for every the end of the spring leg- Rosecroft, even more slots, I don’t know who would come betting interest exceeding six starters. For islative session estab- so than the Thorough- in and put up that kind of money.” 1 turf races longer than 1 ⁄8 miles, the increases lishing a task force to bred tracks in the state, With or without Thoroughbred will take effect for every betting interest over exceeding eight starters. explore the concept, and has been unable to com- racing, the fate of Rosecroft appears The purse increases per betting interest for both dirt and turf races the Maryland Racing pete with racetracks in to rest with the result of a state ref- are $5,000 for maiden special weight races; $8,000 for non-winners of Commission named neighboring states that erendum to legalize slot machines one, two, and three; and $10,000 for allowances and overnight stakes. David Clogg to be its have been strengthened going before voters in November. 1 For example, an open allowance race for non-winners of two at 1 ⁄8 representative on the by the addition of slot While Rosecroft is not a potential site miles on the dirt with ten betting interests will increase $32,000 from eight-member panel machine revenue. for slot machines if the referendum the current purse of $70,000 to $102,000. during its monthly meet- Any move to race passes, the track stands to get an in- 3 An open maiden special weight race at 1 ⁄8 miles on the turf with 11 ing on July 15 in Cam- Thoroughbreds at Rose- fusion in its purse fund.