Since joining NYRA in 2013, Panza has been responsible for the leadership and oversight of racing functions at NYRA, including the overall development, planning, and execution of NYRA's premier stakes offerings and daily racing programs.

“Martin has successfully maintained the history and traditions of New York racing while also modernizing the program to adapt to changes in the sport and the overall industry,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “His contributions have strengthened thoroughbred racing here in New York and across our sport. During his tenure, Martin has established a talented racing office team that will serve as the foundation for continued success. We extend our thanks to Martin for his years of service to NYRA and wish him the best as he enters a new phase in his career.”

“I would like to thank my colleagues at NYRA and the NYRA Board of Directors for their dedication to this organization and the sport, which has allowed us to innovate together to enhance NYRA's world class racing product,” said Panza. “I'd also like to thank the horsemen, jockeys, and horseplayers who support our racing on a daily basis throughout the year.”

NYRA's organizational commitment to safety and integrity now sets the industry standard. Panza played a leading role in the formation of a coalition of leading Thoroughbred racing associations and organizations committed to phasing out the use of Lasix. Subsequently, NYRA and its coalition partners eliminated the use of Lasix in all 2-year-old races in 2020 followed by all stakes races in 2021. As a result, the three Triple Crown races are now contested without the use of race day medication.

Panza served as chair of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Safety Committee, establishing the NTRA Code of Safety Standards in the process. NYRA was a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, which was launched in 2019 to create and implement a series of significant safety, medication, operational, and integrity guidelines across Thoroughbred racing to ensure the well-being of horses and jockeys while increasing transparency and accountability.

Over the last eight years, NYRA has embarked on a sustained effort led by Panza to recruit prominent international horses and trainers to compete on the New York circuit. Driven by the interconnected nature of the sport, as well as the increasing popularity of turf racing, this initiative has generated an increase in global interest in NYRA and strengthened the foundation of New York racing.

“I've been lucky to have learned the craft from some of the best in the business,” Panza said. “It's a responsibility to share that knowledge with the next generation, and I look forward to watching the NYRA racing office flourish and succeed for many years to come.”

Panza sits on the board of the NTRA, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the Racetrack Medication and Testing Consortium and the Thoroughbred Racing Association. He also serves on the advisory board of the University of Arizona Racetrack Industry Program.

In addition, Panza has served on a number of racing committees and organizations, including the American Graded Stakes Committee, the Breeders' Cup Selection Committee, and the North American Ratings Committee.

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Kentucky's Legislative Research Commission is expected to recommend the new whip rules for approval later this year, so they could go into effect in late 2021.

The new rules are as follows:

• A limit on overhanded strikes to a total of six throughout the race. Riders are required to give the horse a chance to respond after two. Overhanded uses may not include the rider raising the whip above the helmet.
• Underhanded or backhanded use may begin in the final 3/8 of a mile. These uses will not count toward the six strike limit.
• Showing the horse the whip or tapping the horse on the shoulder will remain acceptable if both hands are on the reins
• Stewards can impose either a $500 minimum fine or a three-day minimum suspension. If the violation is egregious and intentional, they could impose both. Mitigating factors could include the rider's history with whip violations, and the number and types of use beyond the above restrictions

“We know this rule is a fair compromise and in the best interests of our industry,” Terry Meyocks, the chief executive officer of The Jockeys' Guild, told the KHRC after Tuesday's vote.

Read more at the Daily Racing Form.

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The whip rule has been up for discussion for some time in Kentucky. In June 2020, a joint meeting of the rules committee and the safety and welfare committee brought forth proposed changes from the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an industry group that includes Churchill Downs and Keeneland. Those rules would have limited overhanded strikes to five in the stretch but permitted underhanded strikes at the start of a race. The guidance also allowed a rider to use the whip as necessary to course correct in an emergency, but suggested riders may be required to pull a horse up if they exhausted their strike limit during a corrective incident.

The Jockeys' Guild had pushed back on that proposal, requesting the maximum number of over-handed strikes increase to six. A subsequent committee meeting in September resulted in a move to focus sanctions on suspensions rather than fines for violations of the new rules.

On Monday, all parties expressed their support for the following:

• A limit on overhanded strikes to a total of six prior to the 3/8 pole, while giving the horse a chance to respond after two strikes. Overhanded uses may not include the rider raising the whip above the helmet
• Underhanded or backhanded use only in the final 3/8 of a mile
• Showing the horse the whip or tapping the horse on the shoulder will remain acceptable if both hands are on the reins
• Removal of the word “strike” to refer to the use of the whip in order to improve pubic perception
• Stewards can impose either a $500 minimum fine or a three-day minimum suspension. If the violation is egregious and intentional, they could impose both. Mitigating factors could include the rider's history with whip violations, and the number and types of use beyond the above restrictions

Jockeys' Guild president and CEO Terry Meyocks said he is hopeful the same language will be taken to other members of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, which includes The Stronach Group, NYRA, and Del Mar, for use at those facilities.

“Having different rules in so many various states is not good for anybody,” said Meyocks. “Ideally, if the KHRC were to adopt this rule then we could work on a uniform rule throughout North America.”

“We're not going to let 'perfect' get in the way of 'really good,'” said Mike Ziegler, senior vice president and general manager of Churchill Downs and Coalition representative of the new draft of the rules.

There will be ample notice given to riders 30 to 60 days of the new rules being implemented to give them time to change their riding style before they could become subject to penalties.

KHRC executive director Marc Guilfoil noted the parties had received input from legislators, who had advised them that previous versions of the whip reform rules were not likely to pass. Meyocks said that he was advised the Guild would need to be willing to compromise to find a rule that would be approved.

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As one of our nation's oldest and most celebrated pastimes, racing's traditions run deep. However, the most durable traditions are the ones that evolve and improve with time. Amid the pageantry and beauty, we've faced challenges around equine safety and racing integrity  throughout our history, which is why leaders across the Thoroughbred industry came together  to make the changes necessary to bring our sport into the 21st century and secure its future for  generations to come. Leaders in Thoroughbred racing agree with those who have argued for  greater transparency and more rigorous safety standards, and are united in choosing to prioritize, above all else, the safety and well-being of our equine athletes. 

Through the collaborative work of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition (the Coalition), its members, and broader efforts by leading organizations across the Thoroughbred industry, including The Jockey Club, we worked with lawmakers to help pass The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which was signed into law on December 27, 2020. 

Under the oversight of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the independent Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (the Authority) will implement consistent, transparent, and enforceable rules across all state racing jurisdictions. These efforts will be divided into an Anti Doping and Medication Control Program, which will be executed and enforced in partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Authority (USADA), and a Racetrack Safety Program. Most of the medication, organizational and operational reforms that the Coalition and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) have adopted and continue to advocate for will likely  serve as a basis for these programs. Additionally, the Authority will work with state regulators  and horsemen's groups to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective approach to  implementing the new programs. 

The passage of HISA represents a monumental turning point for our traditionally decentralized industry, and we hope it will go a long way in increasing public confidence in the sport. Even stakeholders who historically sought to avoid government intervention in racing are embracing HISA because they understand that it represents a roadmap to a safer sport and will modernize  the industry through strengthened accountability measures. 

HISA has given all of us a mandate to build on the unprecedented display of unity that brought us to where we are today. The formation of the independent Authority as a vehicle to establish and implement uniform medication rules and racetrack safety standards will codify the culture  of safety and integrity that the Coalition was founded to strengthen and protect. The Coalition, The Jockey Club, the NTRA and our respective members are proud to have played a role in this industry-wide effort that will improve our sport. Now, we must work together to support HISA's continued success and the success of Thoroughbred racing for generations to come.  

This is the beginning of a new, safer era for our storied sport, and our work has only just begun. We can't think of a greater task to undertake. 

Sincerely, 

American Association of Equine  Practitioners  

Aqueduct Racetrack 

Belmont Park 

Breeders' Cup Limited 

Churchill Downs, Incorporated Colonial Downs Racetrack 

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Fair Grounds Race Course 

Golden Gate Fields 

Gulfstream Park 

Keeneland Association Inc. 

Kentucky Thoroughbred Association Laurel Park 

Monmouth Park 

National Thoroughbred Racing Association

New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA)

Parx Racing 

Pimlico Race Course 

Presque Isle Downs 

Santa Anita Park 

Saratoga Race Course 

Suffolk Downs 

The Jockey Club 

Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders  Association 

Thoroughbred Safety Coalition 

Turfway Park 

1/ST RACING

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The Thoroughbred Safety Coalition is an industry-led effort to advance safety measures in Thoroughbred racing.

“These new reforms set the stage for another productive year of advancing meaningful changes to strengthen the culture of safety in thoroughbred racing,” said the release.

The following recommended reforms have been added to Coalition's platform:

• Prohibit intravenous, intramuscular, transmucosal, topical, nasal and oral administration of medications and substances that are not specifically authorized within 48 hours of racing
• Impose requirements for the identification and treatment of hypothyroidism in horses
• Adopt testing and maintenance standards for racetrack surfaces
• Advocate for the adoption of all facility specifications outlined in the RMTC's Test Barn Best Practices for onsite test barns and follow the protocols consistent with the Best Practices for sampling occurring at another location

“Building out our reform platform remains the Coalition's top priority as we continue to advocate for uniform measures that will protect the well-being of our horses and the integrity of our sport across state racing jurisdictions,” said Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of Keeneland Association Inc. “Testing, whether it's for racing surface consistency, hypothyroidism or controlled substances, strengthens accountability and ensures an even playing field.”

“HISA marks a significant achievement for our community and will benefit horses, participants and fans alike by implementing uniform anti-doping, medication control and racetrack operation measures. The Safety Coalition's mission directly complements the Authority's efforts and we look forward to working together,” said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited.

“The work that goes into ensuring our athletes are racing under the safest and most transparent conditions possible is constant and requires collaboration across the thoroughbred community,” said Martin Panza, Senior Vice President of Racing Operations at the New York Racing Association. “The racetrack surface maintenance and testing protocols are the direct result of such collaboration led by the NTRA and the members of this coalition and will serve as the basis for HISA's racetrack operations program.”

Coalition Steering Committee members include Breeders' Cup Limited, Churchill Downs Incorporated, Keeneland Association Inc., the New York Racing Association Inc., Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and The Stronach Group.

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The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) ushered in a new era for a safer sport when it became law, and the Coalition supports the safety and integrity measures it outlines and the establishment of a central governing authority (the Authority). It is our intention to work alongside the Authority to achieve our shared goal of protecting the wellbeing of our equine athletes and the integrity of the competition to achieve a better sport for all. While industry experts, USADA and leaders outside of the racing industry work to fully implement HISA and establish the Authority in the coming year, the Coalition will continue to advance reforms that align with the programs laid out in the legislation at the state and track level.

To this end, the following reforms have been added to Coalition's platform:

• Prohibit intravenous, intramuscular, transmucosal, topical, nasal and oral administration of medications and substances that are not specifically authorized within 48 hours of racing
• Impose requirements for the identification and treatment of hypothyroidism in horses

• Adopt testing and maintenance standards for racetrack surfaces
• Advocate for the adoption of all facility specifications outlined in the RMTC's Test Barn Best Practices for onsite test barns and follow the protocols consistent with the Best Practices for sampling occurring at another location

“Building out our reform platform remains the Coalition's top priority as we continue to advocate for uniform measures that will protect the wellbeing of our horses and the integrity of our sport across state racing jurisdictions,” said Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of Keeneland Association Inc. “Testing, whether it's for racing surface consistency, hypothyroidism or controlled substances, strengthens accountability and ensures an even playing field.”

“HISA marks a significant achievement for our community and will benefit horses, participants and fans alike by implementing uniform anti-doping, medication control and racetrack operation measures. The Safety Coalition's mission directly complements the Authority's efforts and we look forward to working together,” said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited.

“The work that goes into ensuring our athletes are racing under the safest and most transparent conditions possible is constant and requires collaboration across the thoroughbred community,” said Martin Panza, Senior Vice President of Racing Operations at the New York Racing Association. “The racetrack surface maintenance and testing protocols are the direct result of such collaboration led by the NTRA and the members of this coalition and will serve as the basis for HISA's racetrack operations program.”

Progress towards these commitments by TSC Steering Committee members can be found on the Coalition's Accountability Tracker.

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The Coalition also recently participated in the drafting of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and continues to fully support its passage, which would codify a standard set of rules and protocols to make racing safer and more transparent across state racing jurisdictions. In addition to the national legislation, the Coalition believes the work to advocate for these reforms at the state level must persist.

“As today's announcement and recent progress make clear, the Coalition's important work to ensure the wellbeing of our athletes has continued despite the challenging circumstances our industry and our nation have faced this year. The new reforms will go a long way toward increasing our collective ability to identify at-risk horses before they set foot on a track and protect the integrity of our sport,” said Coalition Strategic Advisor Donna Brothers.

The following reforms have been added to the Coalition's platform:

• Strengthen race entry and eligibility requirements;
• Work with state racing commissions to apply racing regulations surrounding prohibited substances and restrict selected therapeutic substances in proximity to high-speed works;
• Prohibit the administration of external treatments, therapies and musculoskeletal manipulation within at least 24 hours of a race;
• Work with state racing commissions to implement a clenbuterol prohibition in racing and training along with reporting/procedural requirements as outlined by the RMTC;
• Strengthen requirements for removing horses from the Veterinarians' List;
• Adopt a waiver claiming option for horses coming off an extended layoff;
• Require implementation of an emergency track warning system; and
• Modify racetrack on and off gaps to increase horse and rider safety.

“The industry must be wholly committed to horse safety and welfare in racing and training, and that includes the racing organizations,” said Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinary Officer at The Stronach Group.  “These additional reforms codify the measures many tracks have already undertaken to best protect our horses.”

“The ability to work with my colleagues and counterparts at other Coalition tracks on a regular basis has enabled us to share best practices and build upon one another's experiences and findings related to Thoroughbred safety, which is evident in the reforms we announced today,” said Dr. Stuart Brown, Equine Safety Director at Keeneland. “This level of collaboration ensures that the uniform safety reforms that the Coalition is advocating for are proven and effective solutions.”

“The safety of our athletes must be everyone's top priority, and the adoption of uniform rules and standards reinforces our commitment to the wellbeing of our horses,” said Dr. Will Farmer, Equine Medical Director at Churchill Downs Incorporated. “As our respective organizations advocate for or, where applicable, use house rules to implement the Coalition reform platform, the collective culture of safety within our industry continues to grow.”

The Coalition's Advisory Committee members – the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA), the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), and the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), along with Industry Supporter members Dixiana Farm, Mt. Brilliant Farm, Stonestreet Farm and the University of Kentucky – supported the development of the reforms and will continue to be instrumental in the Coalition's efforts to advocate for their adoption at the regulatory level.

The Coalition Steering Committee continues to convene on a regular basis to discuss issues and ideas relating to equine safety and the integrity of the sport. These meetings bring together Thoroughbred racing's most prominent tracks and organizations in the U.S. in a manner that is unprecedented – but much needed – in the racing industry. The collaborative framework built by the Coalition has also enabled members to work together, in coordination with other stakeholders, to support the racing and local communities and to bring back live racing safely and responsibly amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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The following reforms have been added to the Coalition’s platform:

• Strengthen race entry and eligibility requirements;
• Work with state racing commissions to apply racing regulations surrounding prohibited substances and restrict selected therapeutic substances in proximity to high-speed works;
• Prohibit the administration of external treatments, therapies and musculoskeletal manipulation within at least 24 hours of a race;
• Work with state racing commissions to implement a clenbuterol prohibition in racing and training along with reporting/procedural requirements as outlined by the RMTC;
• Strengthen requirements for removing horses from the Veterinarians’ List;
• Adopt a waiver claiming option for horses coming off an extended layoff;
• Require implementation of an emergency track warning system; and
• Modify racetrack on and off gaps to increase horse and rider safety.

“As today’s announcement and recent progress make clear, the Coalition’s important work to ensure the well-being of our athletes has continued despite the challenging circumstances our industry and our nation have faced this year. The new reforms will go a long way toward increasing our collective ability to identify at-risk horses before they set foot on a track and protect the integrity of our sport,” said Coalition Strategic Advisor Donna Brothers.

The post Thoroughbred Safety Coalition Adopts New Reforms appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, represented at the meeting by officials from Churchill Downs and Keeneland, brought forth guidance that would limit overhanded strikes to five in the stretch, and permit underhanded strikes at the start of the race (to correct a horse's course or get their attention as the race begins). The guidance also allowed a rider to use the whip as necessary to course correct in an emergency, but suggested riders may be required to pull a horse up if they exhausted their strike limit during a corrective incident.

Various members of the Jockeys Guild were on hand to push back on the changes, reiterating as they had during the California Horse Racing Board meeting last week that they were hoping Kentucky would adopt the Guild's suggested rules as a start to creating a “national rule.” Presumably such a “national rule” would operate similar to the model rules for medication and other regulation published by the Association of Racing Commissioners International — adoption would still be voluntary and state-to-state.

“How's that going to look for the bettors?” said Velazquez. “That's not [good] for the integrity of the race. There are so many things that happen in the race. We have to let the horse know that we have control.”

Guild representatives, including Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith, pushed to expand the maximum number of over-handed strikes to six, and requested riders be given the same limit for underhanded strikes in the stretch to allow them more flexibility to tailor a response to an individual horse or scenario.

“It's a drastic change,” said Smith. “It looks better. It'll really work.

“There's so many times a horse will open up because it's passing horses, but when it gets to the front of the field, it'll pull up. Horses are not all leaders. Most of the time, they're pack animals. There's very few of them that actually want to be leaders. Some of the time you have to touch them behind. Touching them on the shoulder, that doesn't really do anything.”

Charlie O'Connor, member of the rules committee, disagreed with Smith.

“If you're looking for six and six, then all of a sudden that's twelve,” said O'Connor. “Mike, I respect your opinion. You're a world class jockey. But if we're seen to be hitting these horses twelve times over and under, it's not going to wash.”

Mike Ziegler, executive director of racing for Churchill Downs, echoed O'Connor.

“We can't hit horses anymore,” said Ziegler. “That's the ultimate reason we're talking about this.”

Velazquez wondered whether this was a sign regulators and racetracks ultimately want to get rid of the whip altogether.

“The day that you actually put away the whip altogether, there will be more accidents in the United States,” said Velazquez. “I'm telling you, it'll be too dangerous to run. We'll kiss goodbye to racing if you're looking not to hit the horse at all.”

“This is what we're doing at the moment,” said O'Connor in response. “If we don't put in these rules, the crop is going to be taken off. And I agree with you, it'll be the end of racing — but we're trying to keep the crop, because we're in great danger of you guys losing it. We all know, those of us sitting in this meeting, that would be a disaster.”

Ultimately, Coalition members agreed to increase the strike limit from five to six, permitting riders three sets of two hits in the stretch with a pause in between to let the horse respond. The committee added a definition for “the start of the race” to be the first furlong, and removed language requiring a horse pull up in the event of a dangerous veering or other incident.

Penalty guidelines for overuse of the whip were also changed, with increasing penalties for each successive strike over the limit (now six). Penalties become heavier in graded stakes contests, and owners/trainers are strictly prohibited from placing pressure on a jockey to win under circumstances that would violate the rules. Penalties also increase for multiple violations in Kentucky in a six-month period. Jockeys' earnings can be taken away, depending on the number of strikes they are over the limit, the number of violations the rider has, and whether the rider is in a graded stakes. For example, a seventh strike in a graded stakes race would result in a rider losing 30 percent of their earnings, if that is the rider's first violation in six months. Repeat offenders can lose up to 100 percent of earnings.

Last week, California regulators finalized a rule dictating what type of whip riders could use, and also limiting them to six strikes overhanded total.

The rule language now moves on to the full commission, which meets Tuesday.

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