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Letter To The Editor: An Open Letter To The Horsemen

by Beau Lane

Rumor has it that Mike Repole said he was going to get out of the business if things didn't change. Well, I can see how Mr. Repole could feel that way; he's had some real kicks in the behind this year. But the racing industry needs more people like Mike Repole. He goes to the sales, buys nice horses, goes to the races, and takes his chances. He spends more than most and has Todd Pletcher for a trainer (there is no better), and so his chances are better than most.

Everything has changed so fast this year. All of a sudden, we have this new entity (HISA) that has taken complete control of our industry. They basically have the power to shut anyone down at any time. I don't like it and neither does anyone else trying to make a living with racehorses, especially those that are “hands on”. We have people controlling our lives and our livelihoods that don't know anything about us or our horses. Perfect example of the tail wagging the dog.

This is America, or what's left of it. Blaming the cheaters (1%} for our problems is a load of crap. They are essentially using the media to slander individuals, our livelihoods, and our whole sport with no recourse, even if they're wrong. The damage is done by that point, which is their goal. This is a gambling game. Our purse money has always come from some form of gambling. The best way to save this industry is to fill those gates; our racetracks needs to realize this. Our economy is such that it is going to hit the horse business sooner or later. During the Great Depression, racetracks were one of the few businesses that thrived. Every time a track closes, be it large or small, it weakens us all. The people trying to control us act like they couldn't care less. This won't do.

Dr. Allday, one of the best racetrack vets in the world, says a horse can run. But a vet that has been out of school for a very short amount of time says it cannot. They, of course, listen to the least qualified person which may have cost us another Triple Crown winner. Come on, get real. Where is the reality in our sport anymore? PETA does not control us. Give into that bunch… well, don't get me started.

The small breeder, the small trainer, the small owner… they are the backbone of this industry and don't you ever forget it. Get down to where the rubber meets the road. Support the HBPA–the people that support you. Tracks, support your horseman. Our business is not run by PETA or any other power group. No more tail wagging the dog. I love this business and its people.

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HIWU Launches Mobile App

Edited Press Release

A mobile HIWU (Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit) app to assist stakeholders in the Thoroughbred industry with the components of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program has been launched, the organization has revealed.

The free app is highlighted by a Prohibited Substances database, through which users can look up any of the substances that comprise HISA's Prohibited List of more than 1,300 banned substances and controlled medications. Each substance listing is populated with information about the substance such as HISA classification, licensed and colloquial names, detection times and screening limits (as applicable), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label's indication for use.

In addition to the substance lookup tool, the app includes access to all educational materials on the HIWU website and the ability to submit tips through HIWU's anonymous whistleblower platforms. Pending and resolved matters concerning potential violations of the ADMC Program are also available for viewing at any time.

The app is configured to send push notifications to mobile devices to alert users about important updates.

“HIWU is pleased to offer a convenient app to the Thoroughbred industry to enable participants to access important resources about the ADMC Program wherever they are,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “We are especially excited about the substance lookup feature, which will bring this important information to the fingertips of horsemen, veterinarians and others who need to be able to easily consult the prohibited list.

“The app is inclusive of HIWU's broader education efforts to assist industry participants to operate in compliance of the ADMC Program.”

The app is now available for download on the Apple and Android app stores.

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Four Additional Trainers Handed Provisional Suspensions By HIWU

The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) has updated its list of trainers that have been provisionally suspended after their horses have allegedly tested positive for banned substances, and the new names are Natalia Lynch, David Reid, Javier Morzan and Mary Pirone.

Lynch, who is based in New York and had a winner Sunday at Saratoga, was sanctioned for allegedly having a horse test positive for Altrenogest. According a 2018 press release from the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC), Altrenogest is a progesterone receptor agonist used to control estrus in fillies or maintenance of pregnancy in mares. It is marketed in the United States as an oral formulation known as ReguMate. According to the National Library of Medicine's website, Altrenogest is structurally similar to the anabolic androgenic steroid, trenbolone.

The horse in question is Motion to Strike (Competitive Edge), who tested positive after finishing fourth in a $5,000 claimer at Monmouth June 24. The horse was claimed from that race by owner-trainer Silvino Ramirez. Ramirez now has the option of having the void claimed and returning the horse to Lynch.

According to Equibase, Lynch has been training since 2020 and has had 21 winners from 214 starts. She is 5-for-56 on the year.

In regards to Lynch, NYRA issued the following statement Friday: “NYRA has been alerted via HIWU that a horse under the care of trainer Natalia Lynch has tested positive for the banned substance Altrenogest. Per HISA rules, Lynch is now under a provisional suspension nationally and cannot participate in any activities at NYRA tracks. HISA/HIWU rules allow for Lynch to request a formal hearing and the analysis of a split sample. Lynch had occupied four stalls at Saratoga Race Course and 11 stalls at Belmont Park. Horses under Lynch's care are being transferred to a covered person who is not affiliated with Lynch as required by HIWU.”

Also new to the list, trainer Mary Pirone was also provisionally suspended for an Altrenogest positive. Based at Emerald Downs, Pirone has been training since 1987. She has won just two races since 2020, going 2-for-31 over that time. Pirone's Benny the Jet (Bernardini) tested positive after finishing fifth in a $2,500 claimer at Emerald Downs June 24. He was also claimed out of that race and in his next start he won for trainer Jorge Rosales and owner Dawn Spillman.

Trainer McLean Robertson, the dominant trainer at Canterbury Park, was also provisionally suspended by HIWU for Altrenogest.

Trainer Javier Morzan was provisionally suspended after his horse Lady Liv (Bal a Bali {Brz} tested positive for Metformin. Top Northern California trainer Jonathan Wong was also provisionally suspended for Metformin. Metformin is commonly used in humans to combat type 2 diabetes. While Metformin is a permitted medication by the U. S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for humans in athletic competition, the National Institutes of Health published a study indicating it has an effect on athletic performance. In a study of 10 men, they determined that “time to exhaustion was significantly higher after Metformin than placebo ingestion,” and that “Metformin improved performance and anaerobic alactic contribution during high-intensity exercise.”

Morzan is currently racing at Delaware Park. He is 5-for-60 on the year and has won 18 total races during a career that began in 2020.

HIWU's list also includes trainer David Reid, who was provisionally suspended after a horse he trained tested positive for Venlafaxine. In humans, Venlafaxine is used to treat depression. It is also used to treat general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Reid, who is based at Hawthorne, has a career record of 36 wins from 184 starters.

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PARX-Based Trainer Joe Taylor Latest to Be Provisionally Suspended by HIWU

According to a posting on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) website, Parx-based trainer Joe Taylor has been provisionally suspended after two horses he trained allegedly tested positive for banned substances.

On June 18, the Taylor-trained Cajun Cousin (Cajun Breeze) allegedly tested positive for Methylphenidate and Clenbuterol, both of which are banned substances. Two days later, Taylor sent out Classy American (Uncle Lino), who tested positive for the same two substances. Classy American finished second in a starter allowance while Cajun Cousin finished second in a $10,000 claimer.

Cajun Cousin would go on to win a $10,000 claiming race at Parx on July 12, before the results of the positive test had come back. She was claimed on July 12 by trainer Michael V. Pino for Smart Angle LLP. Under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA)'s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) program, a claim shall be voided if “the horse has a positive test for a prohibited substance.”

Methylphenidate is sold under the name of Ritalin, a common drug given to people battling attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in horses. Clenbuterol is used for respiratory ailments but is also known for having steroid-like properties that can build muscle mass.

Taylor faces a suspension of up to two years.

Taylor led all trainers at Parx in 2019 when he had 103 winners. Training since 2010, he has 328 career wins from 2,011 starters.

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