Friday, October 17, 2014
Contact: Jenny Kellner
vkellner@nyrainc.com
(718) 659-2244
The New York Racing Association voices complete support
for proposed changes to New York medication rules
ELMONT, N.Y. - The New York Racing Association today expressed its enthusiastic support of the New York State Gaming Commission's proposed rules which establish threshold limits for 24 therapeutic medications present in a horse on raceday and the restriction of three corticosteroids to joint injections only.
The proposed regulations are modeled on uniform medication rules developed by the Association of Racing Commissioners International.
"The New York Racing Association is deeply committed to equine safety and thoroughbred racing integrity," stated New York Racing Association Chief Executive Officer and President Christopher K. Kay on Friday in a letter to the New York State Gaming Commission. "The adoption of these regulations by the Gaming Commission is a major step forward in the ongoing efforts of thoroughbred racing regulators in many states and other participants to adopt uniformly stringent and effective equine medication rules across the country."
Kay noted that when the NYRA Reorganization Board was formed in 2012, it established two Board Committees, Equine Safety and Racing, to review and monitor safety, integrity and related medication issues. These Board Committees worked with New York Racing Association management to establish an industry leading program of surveillance and testing to ensure compliance with the Gaming Commission's medications regulations.
Based on input from these committees and experts, the New York Racing Association Board of Directors has authorized management to publicly support the proposed regulations, which are in the best interest of the health and welfare of the racehorses, the safety of all participants and further promote the integrity of thoroughbred horse racing.
The letter from Mr. Kay to the New York State Gaming Commission can be found by visiting nyra.com.
About The New York Racing Association
NYRA's mission is "Meeting the highest standards in thoroughbred racing and equine safety." Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York's three major tracks (Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course) through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state's thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State's urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2013, nearly 1.7 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring in nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races totals more than $9 million.
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