Tag: The Biz

During its meeting on March 1, 2022, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission passed a new rule regulating thyroxine administration. Effective immediately for both flat and harness racing, thyroid supplementation is now prohibited.

According to the advisory disseminated by the IHRC, the administration of thyroxine has been found to be given in racehorses unrelated to the horses' thyroid health. The practice of prescribing thyroxine to large numbers of racehorses has drawn public scrutiny and has resulted in inquiries about the legitimacy of its use, as the occurrence of primary hypothyroidism in horses is rare, especially in young, fit racehorses.

It is now prohibited to have possession of thyroxine, any thyroid analog, or thyroid supplement without meeting the conditions set forth in the new rule. Both of the following conditions must be met in order to administer thyroid supplements:

1. A thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) response test has been performed by a commission-licensed veterinarian and supports a diagnosis of hypothyroidism in the horse. (A T3 or T4 test without stimulation of the thyroid is insufficient to diagnose hypothyroidism.)
2. A commission-licensed veterinarian has submitted the TRH response test result to the equine medical director, and the equine medical director approves the thyroxine prescription based on their independent determination that the test result confirms the hypothyroidism diagnosis.

If approved by the equine medical director, the horse shall be treated with only Federal Drug Administration approved medications for hypothyroidism prescribed by a veterinarian. Possession of any thyroid supplements that are not pursuant to a veterinary prescription is prohibited.

The prescription for thyroxine or any other thyroid hormone or thyroid hormone analog administration shall not exceed ninety (90) calendar days, after which the prescription must be reauthorized by the equine medical director under either of the following circumstances:

1. The equine medical director has determined that the horse has benefited from the previous thyroxine, thyroid hormone, or thyroid hormone analog treatment after reviewing the horse's medical records and consulting with the attending veterinarian.
2. The hypothyroid diagnosis has been reconfirmed under the requirements described above.

A horse administered thyroxine or any other thyroid hormone or thyroid hormone analog, pursuant to these new rules, is ineligible to start in a race for thirty (30) calendar days after the last administration.

If a horse is currently being administered a thyroid supplement, administration of the supplement shall be discontinued, and a TRH test conducted after a thirty (30) day washout period before the horse is eligible to race.

The full advisory is available here.

The post Indiana Horse Racing Commission Implements Strict Thyroid Supplementation Restrictions appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The rewards will be plentiful for both Louisiana-bred Quarter Horses and Louisiana students on Sunday, March 27 at Louisiana Downs. The Bossier City racetrack will host the final of the $324,288 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2), the first official test for 2-year-olds in the country as well as the $106,964 Mardi Gras Derby.

The afternoon will also offer the first opportunity of the year for eligible Louisiana students to receive scholarships courtesy of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) Scholarship Fund. In an unprecdented first, Louisiana Downs will generously contribute $3,000 to boost the among of the three LQHBA Scholarships. Three drawings of $2,000, a total of $6,000 will be offered to Louisiana students wishing to further their education.

“We are tremendously grateful to Kevin Preston and his team at Louisiana Downs for their generosity in matching funds for the three scholarships” said Bruce Salard, LQHBA executive director. “This is a first for us and their willingness to support students who wish to further their education is greatly appreciated! We look forward to welcoming Louisiana students and their families to Louisiana Downs on Sunday, March 27 for an exceptional day of racing.”

Scholarship entrants must be a Louisiana High School graduate or a Louisiana High School student graduating in 2022 planning to attend a higher education institution. Louisiana residents enrolled in a Louisiana College or University are also eligible. Students can sign up at the LQHBA Scholarship Registration Table (located at the foot of the escalator on the casino level), beginning at 11:00 am. Registration will close after the third race of the afternoon program and LQHBA board members, Louisiana Downs officials and special guests will conduct the drawings live in the winner's circle after race four. Students must be present to win.

While the primary goal of the LQHBA is to promote breeding and racing in the state, the association remains dedicated to furthering higher education for Louisiana youth. The scholarship program was the vision of the late Jim Mitchell and Leverne Perry and is supported strongly by the LQHBA and its board members. Since its inception in 2001, the LQHBA scholarship program provided over $700,000 for Louisiana students.

For more information on the LQHBA Scholarship Program and eligibility requirements, visit LQHBA.com or call the LQHBA office in Alexandria at (318) 487-9506.

The post Louisiana Downs To Match LQHBA College Scholarship Funds On Sunday, March 27 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Voting is officially open for The Art of Racing, a unique art competition presented by 1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club in partnership with the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) to honor the Preakness Stakes (G1), Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, and its impact on Baltimore.

A total of 147 entries of original, two-dimensional visual art that depict the unique elements of Thoroughbred racing and the Preakness Stakes were submitted for the contest. The winning artist will receive a $4,000 stipend and their artwork will be reproduced and available for sale during the Preakness with proceeds benefitting Park Heights Renaissance.

The 147th Preakness for 3-year-olds is scheduled for Saturday, May 21 at legendary Pimlico Race Course.

The Preakness and MICA have an illustrious history dating back to the 1970s, when then-MICA professor Raoul Middleman led his classes in painting murals of Pimlico. The seven murals Middleman created with his students live in perpetuity behind the track's grandstand and provide an intimate look at a tradition defined by history and character.

To cast your vote, visit https://www.preakness.com/the-art-of-racing

Voting continues to Saturday, March 20, with the winner and their artwork announced Friday, March 25.

The post Voting Now Open On ‘Art Of Racing’ Preakness Competition appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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