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The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) on Monday distributed 2023 financial assessments to State Racing Commissions (SRCs) as the Authority prepares to expand its national oversight and rule implementation efforts to anti-doping and medication control on January 1, 2023. HISA's Racetrack Safety program has been in effect since July 1, 2022.

Each SRC received an assessment that represents the respective state's total financial obligation for 2023 as outlined by the Authority's Cost Assessment Methodology rule, which was approved by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

SRCs can reduce their assessment if they enter into an agreement with HISA and the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU). The full HISA budget for 2023 is $72,509,662.  To promote industry collaboration and uniformity, HISA has offered SRCs approximately $23 million in monetary credits against the assessment. These credits are available to SRCs who choose to provide sample collection personnel and investigative services (including stewards involved in investigations) in compliance with the new Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program rules.

In addition, SRCs are no longer responsible for individually paying for investigations, laboratory fees and shipping costs, or any legal expenses associated with prosecuting anti-doping and medication control violations or appeals of those prosecutions, as these are now provided for by HISA, HIWU and the FTC.

The industry will also benefit from further cost reductions in existing and new expenses related to anti-doping and medication control because of economies of scale in contracting costs and other economic efficiencies gained through a unified, national program.

Although the full incremental cost to industry is difficult to calculate with certainty, between the offered credits and relief from existing expenses, it is significantly lower than the official budget indicates.

The main components of the budgets include (pre-credit reductions):

• The ADMC Program that will be administered nationally by HIWU: $58,108,758 (inclusive of all sample collection, laboratory analysis, enforcement, and other program costs);
• HISA's Racetrack Safety Program: $3,654,830;
• HISA's technology build and maintenance to support its Programs: $5,466,709;
• Costs associated with HISA's administration and organizational operations: $5,279,365 (of which $1,800,000 is budgeted for defending against litigation challenging HISA and related expenses)

“The 2023 assessment balances HISA's commitment to cost efficiency with the fact that the industry has historically underinvested in safety and integrity,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “We are focused on leveraging existing state resources for anti-doping as the foundation on which to build a first-class program for the sport. Under HISA and HIWU, Thoroughbred racing, for the first time, will have uniform national standards and rules for safety and medication, more comprehensive forensic testing, expanded and targeted Out of Competition Testing, a highly qualified national investigative team, and a streamlined and efficient adjudication process. I look forward to deepening collaboration with our SRC counterparts and racetracks across the U.S., especially as we expand our jurisdiction to anti-doping and medication control.”

If an SRC opts-out of paying, it becomes the responsibility of the covered racetracks in the state to collect the fees to pay the HISA assessment.  Additionally, if an SRC does not enter into an agreement with HISA and HIWU, it becomes HIWU's responsibility to assume all sample collection responsibilities in that state.

The post HISA Distributes 2023 Financial Assessments To State Racing Commissions appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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A statement released Tuesday by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority may put an end to the controversy surrounding this year's edition of the Grade 2 Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs. Not only was jockey Sonny Leon (Rich Strike) issued a 15-day suspension for his actions after a fight to the finish with eventual winners Tyler Gaffalione and Hot Rod Charlie, it was also later alleged that Hot Rod Charlie's footwear violated HISA's horseshoeing rules.

Photos of the race were purported to show a toe grab on Hot Rod Charlie's front shoe, which would be a violation of HISA regulations. However, HISA's investigation and independent review have concluded that Hot Rod Charlie was not in violation of the the HISA shoeing rules during the Lukas Classic.

The full statement from HISA is as follows: Last week, HISA received the findings of the investigation undertaken by HISA stewards concerning Hot Rod Charlie's participation in the Lukas Classic on Oct. 1, 2022 at Churchill Downs. The stewards concluded that Hot Rod Charlie was not in violation of HISA's horseshoe rules. After an independent review of the documents and related evidence submitted by the stewards, HISA has determined that the investigation was well-conducted and thorough, and agrees with the conclusion of the stewards.

HISA rule 2276 prohibits traction devices in the forelimb, including but not limited to rims, toe grabs, bends, jar calks and stickers. In late July, HISA altered its original traction device ban on both fore and hind limbs to permit either a full outer rim shoe (up to 4 mm in height) or a toe grab (up to 4 mm in height) on the hind limbs for dirt races. Rule 2276 does not say whether violations may result in disqualification.

Prior to the creation of HISA, the Kentucky commission already had a ban on front limb toe grabs.

Hot Rod Charlie's trainer, Doug O'Neill, denied the allegations with the following statement posted on his Facebook page:

I swear on a stack of Bibles, that none of the horses in our stable wears toe grabs, and have not for years. I am 100% behind the science and studies that show toe grabs heighten the risk of limb injury, which is why we stopped using shoes with toe grabs long ago.

The post Lukas Classic: HISA Concludes Hot Rod Charlie Was Not In Violation Of Horseshoe Rules appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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