Arthur Hancock III - It's Time for Congress to Wake Up

[Whirlaway]

Next week, 24 more horses will die and countless others will be crippled. Four percent of our fans will have deserted us by the end of the year, as they do every year. It is my hope that the federal government will wake up and do something about all of this. Nobody else will. Nobody else can.

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/hancock-its-time-for-congress-to-wake-up/

[Joltman]

So we want the guys regulating Obamacare to regulate horse care? Who will pay for that? Oh that's right, you will. Death knell imho.

jm

[JimP]

It is sad joltman and probably won't be good for the
industry but we have brought this on ourselves.
When we can't regulate or clean up our own messes
sooner or later the government is going to step in.
We really only have ourselves to blame.

[TJ]

So we want the guys regulating Obamacare to regulate horse care? Who will pay for that? Oh that's right, you will. Death knell imho.

jm

Hi Jolt,
Don't worry, they are building a .gov website to incorporate the new drug rules in horse racing and the IRS will be in charge of collecting all fines and penalties from the violating trainers:>) It's a win/win and the taxes on the penalties will be equal to the fine:>) TJ

[madelyn]

and the website will have the capability to have at least 10 users on it at any given time....

[ratherrapid]

personally, I think it's time for Arthur Hancock III to wake up. Before he ends up in a deep freeze.

[Whirlaway]

A couple of comments here.

The effort to change the subject from eliminating doping in the horse racing industry to Obamacare, the government website and the problems that system is having with enrollment, and Author Hancock waking up demonstrates the weakness of your argument - if your position is indefensible, "smart" of you to change the subject.

My second comment has to do with the wisdom displayed by JimP in his post - that post that none of you had the courage to reply to, in particular that last sentence.

It is sad joltman and probably won't be good for the
industry but we have brought this on ourselves.
When we can't regulate or clean up our own messes
sooner or later the government is going to step in.
We really only have ourselves to blame.

[TJ]

A couple of comments here.

The effort to change the subject from eliminating doping in the horse racing industry to Obamacare, the government website and the problems that system is having with enrollment, and Author Hancock waking up demonstrates the weakness of your argument - if your position is indefensible, "smart" of you to change the subject.

My second comment has to do with the wisdom displayed by JimP in his post - that post that none of you had the courage to reply to, in particular that last sentence.

It is sad joltman and probably won't be good for the
industry but we have brought this on ourselves.
When we can't regulate or clean up our own messes
sooner or later the government is going to step in.
We really only have ourselves to blame.

Hi Whirl,
There have been more changes in American racing rules and stiffer penalties for violators then ever before over the last 5 years. Steroids are no longer permitted, withdrawal times have been lengthened, racing jurisdictions are working to conform to the same standards, out of competition drug testing is much more frequent. In addition there has been a decrease in racing fatalities since many new rules were put in place in NY according to veterinarian Dr. Scott Palmer...."fatalities have dropped 49% over the last year". The RCI (Association of Racing Commissioners International) president Ed Martin points out that 99.59 percent of more than 150,000 drug tests come back clean, while quick to point out that the United States Anti-Doping Agency, unlike racing, receives $90 million from the federal government for drug testing. It's sad that inaccurate public perception of the sport created by organizations like The Jockey Club and by media that hastens to cover controversy and tragedy has ignored the progress made in the sport in recent years. The sport is trying and have made many positive changes....but the media has nothing to say about that.....and we know the power of the media and how it can sway public opinion. PERIOD. TJ

[Mahubah]

I agree that self-policing has been a failure, mostly because too many people have a financial interest in things as they are and too many state racing commissions lack the guts to stand up and do what should be done; they're afraid of losing business to states with more lax regulations. The lack of a centralized authority in racing has been a dreadful weakness and makes one wish for the equivalent of England's Jockey Club over here. But be careful what you wish for regarding Federal activity -- you might just get it, along with a lot you hadn't bargained on. Want to have racing effectively regulated out of business by representatives, Senators, and bureaucrats who are under the influence of animal rights lobbyists, environmental extremists, or just the intoxicating feel of their own power? Could happen, especially with the current administration.

One of the ancient philosophers/statesmen said that those who will not govern themselves from within will find themselves governed from without. He didn't add what the experience of the human race should have made obvious -- that external government tends to be far more ham-handed, ham-fisted, and intrusive than internal discipline and integrity. I'm afraid horse racing is about to learn this the hard way.

[BenB]

The german jockeyclub would be better as germany is also divided in states with their own congress etc, but the german jockeyclub is the only one orginazation with the power to put regulations in work over the whole country from Hamburg in the north to munick in the south.

[madelyn]

I think there will eventually be one national governing body over the state racing commissions, like the Federal government over the state governments. A move has to come.

[Whirlaway]

Interesting how a idea[s] gets started and how people actually believe them. Richard Brodie in his book, Virus of the Mind, called such ideas "memes."

~

The United States Anti-Doping Agency is a non-profit, non-governmental organization and the national anti-doping organization for the United States. Congress and Congresspersons have no role in determining whether athletes are doping (how preposterous and people actually believed it !). In fact, "Two veteran members of Congress introduced bipartisan legislation Friday that would increase Congressional oversight of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, including forcing the agency to provide annual summaries of its enforcement activities." http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/22/sports/cycling/congressmen-seek-more-oversight-of-us-antidoping-agency.html?_r=0

It has been written in this thread that the, "United States Anti-Doping Agency, unlike racing, receives $90 million from the federal government for drug testing." That statement is not true. That is why it so critical to see a citation or a link to a citation - if I don't see a citation, that which is written is likely a meaningless opinion or a fabrication, likely both. In the case of the USADA budget, that amount taken from their 2012 annual report is: $13,999,384 - a far cry from 90 million. http://www.usada.org/annual-report/#p=4, page 63.

There is a lot at stake here and the import of this issue cannot and should not be underestimated. I for one am looking forward to the day when Tygart and USADA bring the heat . . . just like he did against Lance Armstrong; is it ever gonna hit the fan. At the least, a lot of folks out there need to be considering horse racing after doping and how and if they can adjust.

[TJ]

It has been written in this thread that the, "United States Anti-Doping Agency, unlike racing, receives $90 million from the federal government for drug testing." That statement is not true.

If you have a problem with the $90 million number (that I wrote in my post), take it up with the RCI president Ed Martin. Read the article and Ed Martin's quote within it. TJ
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... rug-reform

[TJ]

I agree that self-policing has been a failure, mostly because too many people have a financial interest in things as they are and too many state racing commissions lack the guts to stand up and do what should be done; they're afraid of losing business to states with more lax regulations. The lack of a centralized authority in racing has been a dreadful weakness and makes one wish for the equivalent of England's Jockey Club over here. But be careful what you wish for regarding Federal activity -- you might just get it, along with a lot you hadn't bargained on. Want to have racing effectively regulated out of business by representatives, Senators, and bureaucrats who are under the influence of animal rights lobbyists, environmental extremists, or just the intoxicating feel of their own power? Could happen, especially with the current administration.

One of the ancient philosophers/statesmen said that those who will not govern themselves from within will find themselves governed from without. He didn't add what the experience of the human race should have made obvious -- that external government tends to be far more ham-handed, ham-fisted, and intrusive than internal discipline and integrity. I'm afraid horse racing is about to learn this the hard way.

Hi Mahubah,
I agree with what you have said about government intervention. I also agree the lack of a centralized authority within racing has been weak for a long time....but has not gone ignored within the industry the last 5 years. I thought you would be pleased to know this issue has all ready been presented by the RCI (Association of Racing Commissioners International) and is gaining momentum within the industry as we speak. These governing bodies (racing commissions) are state run organizations and there is a lot of red tape to address before changes are enacted. This is how the ban on steroids, recommended by the RMTC (at the 2008 meeting) was brought about in 2009. In the 2009 racing round table attended by Michael Ziegler, Executive Director of NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, Joe Gorajec, Executive Director of Indiana Horse Racing Commission, Dr. Scott Palmer, Chairman, AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) Racing Committee, Stuart S. Janney III, Chairman, Thoroughbred Safety Committee and prominent horse owner, Louis Romanet, Chairman, International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

In this meeting Stuart Janney stated while many want to constantly discuss the negative while skimming over positive advancements much has been accomplished since the 2008 Round Table was held last August.
"Our recommendation of June 2008 calling for the immediate adoption by all North American racing authorities of the RCI Model Rule on androgenic anabolic steroids, which was based on Racing Medication and Testing Consortium recommendations, has effectively eliminated the use of all anabolic steroids in the training and racing of Thoroughbreds in this country," Janney said. "The industry did it in a year and we should be very proud of that."
The short-term benefits, Janney said, are obvious, but as important, or perhaps more important, is the long-term impact on the breed. Janney, an owner and breeder, said when the current crop of 3-year-olds "heads to the breeding shed, we will know that their accomplishments on the racetrack have been achieved without the aid of anabolic steroids."

Joe Gorajec hit on a theme that has been talked about for decades: the lack of uniform medication rules from state to state. There are 38 jurisdictions in North America that regulate racing.
"It is common knowledge that racing industry participants and our fans have been frustrated by the lack of uniformity in rules governing horse racing. This frustration is justified," Gorajec said. When the Association of Racing Commissioners International passes a model rule, Gorajec said, there is an expectation that every state will adopt it, but that doesn’t always happen.
So, he said, there is growing sentiment for an Interstate Compact that could help that process while still giving state regulators the authority to oversee the industry within its borders.
"Such a compact will require action by state legislators. However, once passed, participating states would have the ability to by-pass the time consuming state rule making process while coordinating a uniform implementation date with other states on new rules," Gorajec said. "Should this effort, which is being led by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, come to fruition, it will be a significant step forward to the industry’s goal of national uniform rules."

Much more came out of these meetings and the truth is the industry has been making major changes in the last five years and continues to do so. It just isn't recognized by the press/media for reasons unknown to me? Although we constantly hear about the less then 1% of cheaters who are involved in the business. We hear about this because the rules of racing that are in place, catch these criminals. Change doesn't happen overnight and will take time. So the industry must move forward enacting positive changes as they are and will continue to do, for their own good, the good of the horse and the public good. It took some time for the RCI to adopt their National model rule (see Joe Gorajec's statement above from the 2009 round table discussions) and it is currently being enacted, with 18 racing jurisdictions of the 38 racing jurisdictions in North America signed on as of Nov. 15, 2013...this after the letter was released to the Commissions Sept. 30, 2013. It is hoped that the red tape involved will allow for the rest to get on board sooner than later. The good news is that all the major racing venues are on board....this usually bodes well for the rest to follow. Little is publicized of the major changes going on for the good of the horse and the industry over the last 5 years since Big Brown and his steroid use. The only thing mentioned in the press is the Lasix issue that most horsemen/women stand against and the cheaters who are caught by racing authorities. There was no opposition to banning steroids because the horsemen/women know steroids are detrimental to a horses health. More detrimental than lasix is the use of corticosteroids being injected into a horse’s joint so the horse can compete within a few days after....they need to extend that window and are currently working to do something about. Clenbuterol is another prescribed drug, far more detrimental to the horse than lasix and used by many in daily training. In my opinion that drug should be banned from use in race training and only used if the horse is sick with respiratory issues. Click on the link below to see the nationwide agreement trying to reach full enactment. TJ
http://www.ntra.com/media/8341778/Indus ... ssions.pdf

[steward]

The history of horse racing shows that when control became centralized, other scandalous and outrageous behavior arose. Innocent trainers and jockeys were banned along with the guilty, and the bigger players tried to freeze out the smaller and newer. There is a solid reason why cartels of any form are to be shied away from.

Our experience with behemoth government has thousands of examples of overreach in pursuit of rather minor causes that had no business being controlled by DC. That the purist anti-doping desires of a group of hyperactivists are a national priority is a flaming, gut-busting joke. In a era when the government won't execute its own important laws, why would anyone lobby for something so piddling, other than control freaks like the few that pester this message board?