Earlier this month at its annual meeting in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., the TOBA Board of Trustees endorsed the new uniform model medication guidelines, which are currently being championed on a state-by-state basis by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium. While the TOBA board strongly supported these reforms, it did not endorse the use of race-day medication. 

 

Clearly, the pro-Lasix supporters are contending the uniform national rules were a compromise on Lasix and the debate is settled. Nothing could be further from the truth. From a TOBA perspective, we believe it is strategically critical the entire industry supports these reform efforts and that the use of race-day Lasix is a separate discussion not addressed in our board statement. If uniform national rules are not implemented, the landscape would look something like this: 1) Private vets would be in the stall on race-day.  Is that something we want? 2) Instead of 26 controlled therapeutic medications (the only one permitted on race day is Lasix), we may be dealing with more than 50. Is that something we want? 3) Drug testing standards would be lower at our labs. Is that something we want? 4) Multiple violators of medication rules would not receive severe penalties and in many cases, would continue to conduct business as usual. Is that something we want? To TOBA, the answers are obvious.

 

TOBA supported a ban on race-day medication in two-year-old graded stakes in 2011. Due to numerous obstacles faced by the American Graded Stakes Committee, the proposed ban was never implemented. Also, TOBA spearheaded a 2-year-old no race-day medication program in 2012-13, which was supported by nearly 70 owners. Any suggestion that TOBA supports the use of race-day medication is simply unfounded and not true.

 

The new uniform national rules offer the regulatory uniformity this industry has been clamoring for, enhances the integrity of our sport, provides a level playing field for participants and, most importantly, improves the health and welfare of the horse. These goals and objectives should not be held hostage by the race-day use of Lasix debate. We believe that important policy discussion should be held separately and not in lieu of other significant improvements to our sport.

 

Sincerely yours,

Dan Metzger

TOBA President

 TOBA News

TOBA Supports RMTC Uniform Medication Program

Earlier this month at the TOBA board of trustees meeting, held in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Dr. Dionne Benson gave a status report on the implementation of the RMTC uniform medication program. Based on Dr. Benson’s report, TOBA has released the following statement:

“To see that the momentum of this reform program continues, TOBA and its board of trustees pledge to commit resources in order to ensure all Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions implement the entire

RMTC uniform medication program.” Read more. 

 

Record Attendance at Clinics in Saratoga Springs

TOBA held two educational clinics the first week in August in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – Pedigree & Conformation Clinic at Fasig-Tipton on August 4 and Thoroughbred Ownership Seminar at the Saratoga Race Course on August 7. Each of these events produced record attendance over the past five years. Learn more and register for our upcoming clinics.

 

American Graded Stakes Committee 

The American Graded Stakes Committee met on August 5 for its annual August administrative meeting. At the meeting Dr. J. David Richardson was re-elected chair of the committee. The TOBA Members of the committee appointed Ben Huffman of Churchill Downs and Keeneland, Martin Panza of NYRA and Tom Robbins of Del Mar to their first three-year terms on the committee, replacing Rogers Beasley of Keeneland, P.J. Campo of Gulfstream Park and Michael Dempsey of Monmouth Park. Each had reached his term limit on the committee. At the conclusion of the meeting, the term of TOBA Member Seth Hancock expired and TOBA Chairman Peter Willmott appointed Craig Bernick to his first three-year term to fill the vacancy.

 

The 2014-2015 committee will be TOBA Members Dr. J. David Richardson, chair, Reynolds Bell, Jr., Craig Bernick, Michael Levy, J. Michael O’Farrell and Peter Willmott and Racing Officials Allison DeLuca (Tampa Bay Downs), Rick Hammerle (Santa Anita Park), Ben Huffman (Churchill Downs and Keeneland), Martin Panza (NYRA) and Tom Robbins (Del Mar).

 

The committee received an update on the implementation by state racing commissions of the new uniform medication rules and discussed the issue of too many Grade/Group I races on the international calendar, mainly in South America. The committee will meet again on December 3 in Lexington for its annual grading session. 

Congrats Corner

Congratulations to the following TOBA members who own or bred a recent winner!

Speightsland won an allowance race at Woodbine for owner John C. Oxley and breeder Eugene Melnyk on 8/1/14.

Newly Fashioned broke her maiden at Parx Racing for breeder Town & Country Farms Corp. on 8/5/14.

Seek Again won the Fourstardave Handicap (gr. II) at Saratoga for owner/breeder Juddmonte Farms on 8/9/14.

Declan’s Fast Cat won an allowance race at Evangeline Downs for owner Whispering Oaks Farm and breeder Dixiana Farms on 8/14/14.

Star King broke his maiden at Indiana Downs for breeder Tracy Farmer on 8/19/14.

Shared Belief won the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (gr. I) at Del Mar for breeders Pam & Martin Wygod on 8/24/14.

Register for the Thoroughbred Owner Conference by Monday, September 15 to receive a FREE iPad Mini when you arrive at the conference (conference space and iPad supply are limited).

Click here to register.

 

Pedigree Binder

 

Equineline Pedigree Binder is a complimentary value added feature which provides a revolutionary new way to manage, store and view your equineline pedigrees online!

• Quickly and easily put equineline pedigrees (as well as race records and produce records) into your own personal online binders.
• View your binder as an electronic flipbook or as a pdf document
• Personalize your online binders with your own photos and binder covers
• Add a horse’s pedigree to multiple binders
• Share your binder via email, Facebook and Twitter

Learn more: equineline.com/PedigreeBinder and news release 

Date	Location	Topic
October 13-16	Lexington, Ky. Register at OwnerView.com	OwnerView Thoroughbred Owner Conference
October 18-19	Lexington, Ky.	Pedigree & Conformation Clinic
December 6	Hallandale Beach, Fla.	Thoroughbred Ownership Seminar

Click here for clinic details and agendas. Schedule is subject to change without notice.