New safety and integrity policies include revised medication and whip rules

Oaklawn Park on Thursday announced a number of proposed racing integrity policies it hopes to have in place when the meet opens Jan. 22, including prohibiting the use of the diuretic Lasix in qualifying-points races for the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks and the integration of safety riding crops.

Some of the policies are subject to regulatory approval, with passage expected in advance of the meet. The season is set to feature record purses. It runs through May 1.

The Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks are scheduled to be run Lasix-free in 2021. Last month, the Louisiana Racing Commission approved a request by Fair Grounds that its preps for those races be conducted Lasix-free. It was stated during the meeting that if the policy was not put in place, qualifying points would not be awarded for the preps. Points are administered by Churchill Downs, home of both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Oaklawn has four traditional points races for the Kentucky Derby: the Smarty Jones, Southwest, Rebel, and Arkansas Derby.

In a new Lasix policy concerning all other races this meet at Oaklawn, the maximum allowable dosage of Lasix will be reduced by 50 percent - unless there are specific approvals from the state veterinarian.

Another proposed medication policy calls for prohibiting the use of Clenbuterol, a bronchodialator, “or any other beta2-agonist,” for a period of 60 days prior to a race at Oaklawn. Hair testing would be a means of tracking such usage, according to the press release.

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In another new proposal, the only whips allowed during races would be the 360 Gentle Touch, Pro-Cush, or other similar riding crops approved by the stewards.

Oaklawn also is proposing shock wave therapy, radial pulse wave therapy, or similar treatments be prohibited 30 days from a race.

Another proposal calls for trainer and veterinarian records to be made available upon request for review by the veterinarians conducting pre-race exams.

Oaklawn also is proposing horses be on the grounds at least 72 hours in advance of a race, unless approved for later arrival. Oaklawn will take entries at least four days out from raceday to accommodate the policy for shippers.

Oaklawn has worked on the proposed policies with the Arkansas Racing Commission and the Arkansas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, according to Oaklawn president Lou Cella.

“We hosted a series of roundtable meetings with horsemen, regulators, racing officials, and our own management team, where we asked a simple question: ‘What can we do to enhance the safety and integrity of our program,’ ” Cella said in the press release.

Participants included Bill Walmsley, president of the Arkansas HBPA.

“We began these meetings in early 2020 and continued working through the summer and into the fall,” Walmsley said in a press release. “While we do not endorse every change, we do not object to any of these changes. Overall, it has been a true partnership effort, and it demonstrates why Oaklawn, the Arkansas HBPA, and the Arkansas Racing Commission enjoy what I believe is the strongest working relationship in the industry.”

In many ways, 117-year-old Oaklawn is moving into a new era in 2021. Cella said purses this meet are projected to average a record $700,000 a program. The stakes schedule is worth a record $11 million. In addition, a $100 million expansion project that includes a new onsite hotel will soon be completed, according to Cella.