Doping, Drugging, and the Animal Racing Industry

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Doping, Drugging, and the Animal Racing Industry

• By Steve Bunch

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Animal Doping and Drugging

• What is doping/drugging?
• Why is it detrimental to the industry?
• What are the current problems?
• How can we better the animal racing industry?

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Doping what is it?
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Doping

• In sports, doping refers to the use of
  performance-enhancing drugs, particularly those
  that are forbidden by the organizations that
  regulate competitions.
• Every sport has different governing bodies
  regulating doping.

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Drugging

• In sports, drugging refers to the use of
  performance-altering drugs, particularly those
  that are forbidden by the organizations that
  regulate competitions.
• Drugging in sports may affect the outcome of
  competition either negatively or positively.

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Why is drugging/doping banned?(according to Iowa
Code 99.D25)

• a.  Corrupts the integrity of the sport of racing
  and promotes criminal fraud in the sport
• b.  Misleads the wagering public and those
  desiring to purchase a horse or dog as to the
  condition and ability of the horse or dog
• c.  Poses an unreasonable risk of serious injury
  or death to the rider of a horse and to the
  riders of other horses competing in the same
  race and
• d.  Is cruel and inhumane to the horse or dog so
  drugged or numbed.

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Common doping/drugging/medical substances used in
horse racing

• Blood Doping Agents
• Erythropoietin(EPO)  Darbepoetin  Oxyglobin 
  Hemopure
• Drugs/Tranquilizers/Medications
• Furosemide (Lasix)
• Phenylbutazone (Bute)
• Milkshakes

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Erythropoietin(EPO)

• Commonly known as Epogen, erythropoietin
  increases the number of oxygen-carrying red cells
  in the blood and thus enhances stamina
• Have no legitimate veterinary purposes in horses
• Believed to lead to the "development of severe
  and potentially life threatening anemia."
• Jean Major Ontario Racing Commission

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Horse Bleeding

• Bleeding- exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage
  (EIPH)
• Naturally heals over several days
• Can be treated using Lasix

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Use of Lasix in bleeders

• Diuretic that causes fluids locked up in the
  horse's body tissues to be released and expelled
  in the urine.
• Some experts contend that Lasix has a stimulating
  effect on some horses.
• Sheer volume of liquid lost may give a weight
  advantage and may dehydrate horse.
• May flush out traces of other illicit substances

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Phenylbutazone (Bute)

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
• Fights pain, inflammation, and fever.
• Prolonged use of Butazolidin can cause ulcers and
  gastrointestinal irritation in horses
• Bute could be used to numb a horse that would
  otherwise feel pain

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Milkshakes

• Baking soda concoction with extra electrolytes
  improving endurance
• Delays muscle fatigue
• Can be harmful to horses
• 2005 10 horses tested in California came back
  positive (CRA)
• Detention barns may solve the milkshake epidemic

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Current Testing System

• Track testing governed by state commissions
• Iowa Racing Commissioners
• Appointed by the governor subject to Senate
  confirmation
• 5 person committee
• Three year terms
• Individual commissions set standards and
  penalties
• Testing protocol is governed by state boards, but
  left up to individual tracks discretion
• Prairie Meadows-Tests winners and one finisher at
  random

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Problems with the current system

• Confusion and discrepancies between tracks with
  regards to legal substances
• May be over 250 banned substances at any given
  track
• Usually dont test every horse/Inconsistency
• Dont lists medical information in track books,
  affecting bettors
• Funding

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Solutions to the problem

• Standardize the system
• Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC)
• Initiated by AQHA
• Model rules for uniform policy
• Model rules for more severe uniform penalties,
  minimum one-year suspensions and 10,000 fines
  for the use of prohibited drugs and practices

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Standardizing cont

• Out of competition testing
• Currently on board for the model standard system
  Thoroughbred Horsemen's Associations in Delaware,
  Illinois, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey

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Funding?

• RMTC has spent nearly 1.5 million, which was
  funded from three-year commitments from 21
  industry organizations.
• New funds formula 1.25 per start from horsemen
  and 2.50 per race from tracks.

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Detention Barns

• 24-48 hours pre-race
• Keeps vets and others out of the barn pre-race
• Currently implemented in 5 states
• Lowers risks of illicit activities
• Pros vs. Cons

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What can you do?

• Voice concerns to Iowa Racing and Gaming
  Commission
• Gerald Bair
• Kate Cutler
• Diane Hamilton
• Toni Urban
• Greg Seyfer
• Can be reached through the Commission office 717
  E. Court, Suite B, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  515/281-7352 fax number 515/242-6560

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What can you do?

• Contact local lawmakers
• Sen. Tom Harkin
• Sen. Chuck Grassley
• Rep. Tom Latham
• Inform yourself on the issue
• Ask questions
• Get involved

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Conclusion

• Vast majority of owners and trainers want a level
  playing field where horsemanship counts and the
  best horses win
• Horse best interests paramount
• Cheaters need to be punished
• Recent racetrack injuries, indictments for
  drugging of racehorses, and congressional
  hearings on jockey safety all require serious
  measures to solve this issue.

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Recent Developments

• RMTC PASSES MODEL RULE ON ANABOLIC STEROIDS
• February 22, 2007 The Racing Medication and
  Testing Consortium board of directors on
  Wednesday passed a model rule on anabolic
  steroids that will be forwarded to the
  Association of Racing Commissioners International
  for approval during that organizations annual
  convention, April 23-27.
• After the RMTC receives input from the RCI, the
  model rule will be released to the industry.

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References

• www.rmtcnet.com
• www.bloodhorse.com
• www.iowa.gov/irgc/code99d.htm
• www.iowa.gov/irgc/Comm.htmtop
• www.aqha.com
• www.kentuckygaming.com/horse.htm
• www.racing.ohio.gov
• www.nyra.com
• www.sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/index
• www.procycling.com
• Equidaily Racing Journal
• Prairie Meadows Racetrack Casino

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Contacts

• Rep. Tom Latham
• 1421 South Bell Avenue Suite 108AAmes, Iowa
  50010(515)-232-2885
• Sen. Tom Harkin
• 210 Walnut StreetRoom 733, Federal
  BuildingDes Moines, IA 50309(515) 284-4574
• Sen. Chuck Grassley
• 721 Federal Building
• 210 Walnut StreetDes Moines, IA 50309
• [phone]

• Iowa Racing and Gaming
• Commission Office
• 717 E. Court, Suite B,
• Des Moines, Iowa 50309
• 515/281-7352