CHRB approves rule adjusting timeframe for medication administration

The California Horse Racing Board approved a rule on Thursday that restricts the medications horses can be administered in the 48 hours prior to post time.

The rule is an alteration to an existing rule implemented earlier this year that led to confusion among trainers and changes to the days tracks took entries.

The new rule eliminates the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, phenylbutazone, flunixin, ketoprofen, electrolyte solutions, and amino acid solutions within 48 hours of post time. The rule implemented earlier this year banned those medications when entries were taken, which at the time was as many as four or five days before racing.

Thursday, the racing board suspended the rule implemented earlier this year and approved a new regulation that limits administrations within 48 hours of post time. The measures approved unanimously. Racing board officials said the 48-hour limits could be in place by mid-May following a 15-day public comment period and a regulatory review.

Tracks such as Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita changed entry days earlier this month to accommodate the rule implemented earlier this year, which stated that a horse is considered entered to race on the midnight after entries are completed.

Santa Anita moved entry day for Friday programs from Sundays to Tuesdays, meaning horses entered for Fridays could not be administered the medications from midnight on Wednesday.

In early March, officials with the Thoroughbred Owners or California and California Thoroughbred Trainers association sought a delay of implementations of the rule, which stated horses could only be given hay, oats and water from entries to post time. There were exceptions for ulcer medications, injectable vitamins, and the administration of the anti-bleeder medication Lasix on race day.

The initial rule change was approved by the racing board in January in Sacramento and implemented on Feb. 27 after legal review by state officials.

Overall, the rule changes are part of a yearlong trend in the state to reduce medications and create greater oversight of the daily training and racing of horses following a series of equine fatalities at Santa Anita in early 2019.

Thursday’s meeting began with a discussion regarding the ongoing racing programs at four California tracks in light of the coronavirus outbreak. The discussion was prompted by questions from commissioner Wendy Mitchell.

“I want to make sure we’re making the best decision for the state of California and taking what the governor is saying very seriously,” Mitchell said.

California racing officials were in contact with state government officials earlier this month after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a stay-at-home policy for residents. Racing has been held without spectators since March 14.

Santa Anita and racing board officials said racing has a far different situation than other sports because of the presence of horses.

“I ask the commissions to think of the knock-on effects if we stop racing,” said Aidan Butler, the acting chief of California racing for The Stronach Group, the parent company of Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita.

“There are far more people involved in morning training than in racing.

“The second racing stops we could have a humanitarian crisis and an animal welfare crisis. We can sustain as long as we continue racing. We are a self-contained industry and that needs to be explained.”

Rick Arthur, California’s equine medical director, told commissioners that the daily exercise of racehorses is vital to their well-being.

“It is a health consideration that they train,” Arthur said. “These are fit, healthy, and good-feeling athletes. You have to get them out and train them.”

Arthur said keeping a horse confined in a stall without exercise can be dangerous.

“They will do things you don’t want them to do,” he said.

There are approximately 750 people caring for about 1,550 horses in the stables at Santa Anita, officials said. The track has severely restricted attendance for racing during the coronavirus outbreak and are permitting only “essential personnel” to attend. Racing fans and owners are currently not permitted.

Commissioner Dennis Alfieri said he briefly attended racing at Santa Anita last weekend.

“It is very limited,” he said of attendance. “There are no people in the racetrack and at the finish line other than the people handling the horses.”

The meeting was held via teleconference to avoid a gathering.