STATUS OF UNIFORM MEDICATION AND DRUG TESTING REFORM PROGRAM:
STATEMENT OF ALAN M. FOREMAN, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF THOROUGHBRED
HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATIONS, INC.
We appreciate the comments of Dinny Phipps as they relate to the uniform
medication and drug testing reforms that are currently circulating throughout the
racing industry. We are proud that these reforms began through a collective
commitment by the Mid Atlantic racing states, in cooperation with the horsemen
and racetrack entities, to develop and implement the program. The Jockey Club has
not only supported the initiative but has also committed its time and resources to
getting this done nationally.
The uniform program was first announced by the Mid Atlantic states on April
1, 2013. Recognizing that implementation requires either state regulatory or, in
some cases, legislative action, the Mid Atlantic announced that it would implement
the reforms on January 1, 2014 or whenever a participating state's live racing
commenced in 2014. Since then, the effort to get this program adopted and
implemented nationally began in the summer of 2013.
When the industry determined that it would eliminate steroids from
competition in 2008, the effort began with collective action by the Mid Atlantic
states and took approximately 18 months to be achieved nationally. At the time, the
industry was hailed for its ability to move swiftly and collectively to significantly
change policy. We are a year from when the Mid Atlantic introduced the current
reforms and 9 months since the effort was embraced nationally. In his statement,
Dinny referred to only 4 states that, according to the Jockey Club, have implemented
the reforms while acknowledging that many others are in the process of doing so.
Some in the media today have questioned my recent public statements that all but 4
of the 38 racing states are in the process of adopting the program in light of Dinny's
comments. I think everyone should know the status and progress of the reform
program.
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All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine
Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. ~ George Orwell, 1984.
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