Note for Horsemen
Re: New Mexico Racing Commission Meetings, February 24, 25, 2010
New Mexico Racing Commission Medication Committee met in public session on February 24, 2010. The following topics were addressed:
Clenbuterol testing: Formal limits were set on Clenbuterol. The levels are 5 nanograms in urine and 25 picograms for blood testing. These levels are the same as currently in place and become effective immediately. Consult with your vet for dosage and withdrawal times.
Equine Ambulance: A rule requiring a backup horse ambulance was discussed. No action was taken and the matter will be brought up again at the March medication meeting.
Out of competition testing was discussed. The NMRC would like to start an out of competition testing program that would test horses that are not in competition for non-therapeutic class 1, 2 and 3 drugs. An example of a non therapeutic drug is EPO and Equine Growth Hormone (Equigen) among others. These drugs are not allowed in racing at any level. More discussion will follow at the March meeting to be held in Albuquerque.
The Committee discussed the creation of a post mortem examination program for horses that perish in competition, on the backside or during training where no apparent causes for the death are present.
A recommendation that the Trainer of a horse keep a record of medication administered to the horse was also discussed.
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The NMRC Rules Committee met on February 24 and 25 and the following was addressed:
Formally passed Clenbuterol level set at 5 nanograms in urine and 25 picograms in blood plasma. Exceeding either level is a positive drug test for clenbuterol. Rule adopted at the NMRC meeting on Feb. 25.
Passed a rule that all haul in horses must be logged through the premises gate and be on the grounds 4 hours before the race in order to ensure that lasix is given at the three hour limit as provided in the rules. This rule was also adopted by the NMRC at its meeting on the 25th and becomes effective after notice and publication as provided by New Mexico Law. The NMHA recommends that effective immediately, that all horses be on the racetrack's grounds within 4 hours of the race even though the rule will probably become effective at a later date.
A proposal for a uniform jock mount fee scale was discussed. The matter was tabled as being outside of the scope of the NMRC jurisdiction. Jock weight adjustments to reflect the accumulation of mud, rain etc. on clothing and equipment was discussed. This matter was tabled to the next Rules Committee meeting.
The Rules Committee amended the trainers’ test rule to state that oral tests may continue to be given to candidates. Test by interview will not be an acceptable means of being tested.
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Racing Commission Met on February 25.
An update on proposed race track audit procedures was presented by the NMRC contract auditor. He recommended that the audit process be conducted at all tracks year round instead of concentrating on the live meet. He stated that the procedures that are currently in place have been in place over the last 30 years. Much has changed over this time as full card multi track year round simulcascting is now the norm and gaming is now the major contributor to purses as opposed to the live handle of 30 years ago. He stated that more emphasis should be placed on Horsemen’s depository and the horsemen’s bookkeeper account with monthly reviews and reconciliations of the horsemen’s purse related bank accounts being performed. He recommended more specificity in the procedures that would be followed. The idea is to have the proper checks and balances in place so that all purse money is secure and accounted for. A final process will be discussed at the March NMRC meeting.
The NMRC voted to amend the lasix rule to provide that Horsemen must be on the premises 4 hours before race time to ensure that lasix is timely given. Rule 15.2.6.9.
The NMRC voted to formally set the level for Clenbuterol at 5 Nanograms in the urine or 25 picograms in the blood. If either level is exceeded a Class 3 positive is found. Contact your vets for more information. Rule 15.2.6.9.
La Mesa Park (Raton) provided a very limited report stating that it had simulcast agreements in place and planned to forward with simulcasting and gaming in its temporary simulcast/gaming / facility (the facility is not completed as of this time). It also reported that it had signed contracts in hand for barns for the backside. The NMHA has contacted Raton management for information on the planned barns and the track and backside build in general. We will take all steps to ensure that all barns are built according to NMRC specifications and that the backside and track is constructed with health, sanitation and safety to all in mind. The Gaming Control Board has granted Raton until May 1 to have its casino operational.
Condition books for Sunray Park (10 races a day) and racing officials were approved. Sunray Park will open to receive horses and equipment on March 29. The Racetrack will be open for gallops and works on April 8. Racing is to start on April 22. Sunray Park has agreed to remain open for training at no cost to Horsemen from the end of its meet until August 1, 2010. The Arabian horse show will be completed by July 31, 2010 at the DAA.
Condition books, stakes schedule and stall apps for Ruidoso were approved. Due to the economy the first Ruidoso Downs condition book will reflect a 12 % purse cut.
Sunland Park received approval to revert to it original purse structure for the balance of its race meet. Purses will be increased by 8% commencing March 7. Sunland Park has agreed to a similar retroactive payment to those who ran for the first 51 days of racing at Sunland Park this year.
As always please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments regarding the above or any other issue of importance to you.
Very truly yours,
Pat Bingham, Executive Director, NMHA 505.266.7056, 505.205.6650 (cell)
binghampe@yahoo.com Visit our website at www.newmexicohorsemen.com and double click on the blog for current information.
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Note for Horsemen and Interested Persons:
From: Pat Bingham, Executive Director, New Mexico Horsemen’s Association
Attached you will find information regarding 3 bills that have been introduced in the New Mexico Legislature that have to do with Horseracing in New Mexico.
First, House Bill 203 would permit the citizens of Ruidoso Downs, Ruidoso and Lincoln County to vote an increase to their local gross receipts tax (sales tax) to provide a tax benefit/incentive to Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino to continue running horses in Ruidoso Downs. The Bill passed through the House Business and Industry Committee yesterday, January 4, 2010. The Horsemen have announced their support for this bill. The vote was unanimous.
The Horsemen has introduced House Bill 274 which would allow each racetrack in New Mexico to set up an account wagering deposit system that would allow patrons to place their wagers over the internet, by phone or other electronic means through the racetrack. Present law requires that a patron be physically at the racetrack in order to wager on a race. This Bill which has the general support of the racetracks would generate additional money for purses for Horsemen, money for the tracks’ bottom line and money for the State in the form of pari-mutuel taxes. It would also permit racing fans from outlying areas to enjoy the thrill of betting on horse races that originate in our state as well as elsewhere.
We have also introduced House Bill 275 which would amend the Horseracing Act to provide for a minimum number of 60 days of live racing at NM racetracks that have gaming. The current law provides that each racetrack must run a minimum number of 17 days of live racing per year in order to simulcast races from across the country and provide slot gaming to its patrons. The 60 day minimum number of live races is in line with what other jurisdictions in the US that have enacted gaming at their ractracks require of their racetracks. Eg. Delaware 100 live race days per year, Pennsylvania 100 live race days per year, Louisiana 80 days of live racing per track per year.
Attached is a list of the phone numbers of the Senators and Representatives in the State. Please contact your legislator to express your support for theses measures.
If you are viewing this on the internet, you may reach the legislature at
Sincerely,
Pat Bingham
505.266.7056 or 505.205.6650 (cell) Also at binghampe@yahoo.com
Notes for Horsemen:
Re: NMRC Meeting of January 20, 2010
Dear Horsemen:
The NMRC met in open session at its offices in Albuquerque on January 20, 2010. A number of Horsemen were in attendance;
The following was discussed:
Clenbuterol: The NMRC set temporary levels for clenbuterol testing at 5 nanograms in the urine/ 25 pico-grams in the blood. This follows the recommendation of the Medication Committee which recently met at Sunland Park a couple of weeks ago. Most of the private vets attended the Medication Committee and voiced their opinion that they could live with these levels which are now in effect. Contact your vet for dosage information and withdrawal information.
Discussion took place over limits to the number of starts that a horse could make in any given year. The NMHA took the position that the question of the number of starts that a horse will make over a given time must be left to the owner and trainer of the horse. To set an arbitrary number for starts in a year would serve no purpose as all horses are individual athletes.
The NMRC discussed funding for an autopsy program (necropsy) to confirm the cause of death of a horse in certain situations. The NMHA stated that it would look at assisting with the program but more details would have to be presented including cost, method for selection of the horse(s) to undergo the procedure and plans for the information gained. If the program were purely for scientific reasons, The NMHA would probably support the program. If the program was designed for purely disciplinary reasons, the NMHA would not support the program. Many horsemen’s group across the country are becoming involved in such programs.
The NMHA reported that it has commenced an initiative at the state legislature regarding the setting of a minimum number of live race days in state statute to run per year at each racetrack which has a gaming license in NM. The proposed minimum number of race days per track with gaming would be 60 days. Currently the NM horse racing statute provides for a minimum of 17 live race days to be run per track. A minimum of 60 days of live racing per track set in statute would ensure that each track would run its fair share of races each year.
The NMHA also is proposing legislation that would permit advanced deposit wagering by fans from their home via computer or telephone. The reality is that this kind of activity is occurring presently in NM through betting shops located throughout the nation and the Horsemen receive nothing to purses from this activity. As proposed all account wagering would be accomplished through the existing racetracks in New Mexico. Money for purses would increase by permitting such wagers to take place. The State and the race tracks would also benefit if account wagering becomes a reality in NM.
Racing at Raton (La Mesa Park) provided a report:
Racing at Raton management stated that the tent structure for simulcast and gaming is progressing. The NMHA has viewed photos of the progress at Raton and can confirm that the tent is indeed being built on a concrete slab. All utilities plumbing etc. have been stubbed out. Rick Hansen has been named GM of La Mesa Park. He stated that he wants to meet with the Breeders and the NMHA to discuss purse structure in the next several weeks.
The NMRC placed the following conditions on the Raton License:
1. By 2/25/10 the simulcast venue at Raton must be operational.
2. By 2/25/10 contracts for barns are to be signed. (the NMHA will ensure that the Racing Commission rules regarding specs for the barns are met prior to any contract being signed.)
3. By 2/25/10 Raton must have signed simulcast agreements in hand.
4. By 2/25/10 construction plans for the grandstand and the paddock must be approved by the NMRC (with input from the Horsemen)
5. By 2/25/10 a schedule for building the racing surface and backside must be presented to the NMRC (with input from Horsemen).
The NMRC provided an update on its work toward an improved audit policy for all parties including the racetracks. New policies and procedures should be forthcoming in the near future. The NMHA will stay on top of this.
Prorata payments to Horsemen who had horses entered at ZIA on 12/7 and 12/8:
As you know, races were cancelled at ZIA on the 7th and 8th and could not be made up at another time. The Horsemen recommended that the purses be paid those who entered at ZIA for the 7th and the 8th on a prorata basis. After much discussion the NMRC could not decide the issue. The issue will be raised again at the next NMRC meeting to be held 2/25 down at Sunland Park. Horsemen should plan on attending this meeting. We all need everybody’s participation.
As usual call me with any questions regarding this note.
Thanks to all the Horsemen who attended the NMRC meeting. Express your opinions by e-mail at
kirsten.nmha@yahoo.com. For latest NMHA information please go to our website at www.newmexicohorsemen.com and click on the “blog” link.Thanks for your time.
Pat Bingham
Note for Horsemen, January 12, 2010
Re: Racing Commission Medication Committee
Meeting January 11, 2010
From: Pat Bingham, Executive
Director, NMHA
Dear Horsemen:
The NMRC Medication Committee
met in public session yesterday, January 11, 2010 at Sunland Park. The meeting was very well attended by the track vets and Horsemen at
large.
The following was discussed:
|Clenbuterol testing: The Committee
agreed to place the matter of clenbuterol testing on the Commission’s regular
meeting agenda set for Wednesday, January 20, 2010 to be held at the NMRC
office at Albuquerque. The meeting starts at 10:30 am. The NMRC will decide at the meeting whether
to maintain its current practice of “zero tolerance” or set a level for testing at 25 pico grams in blood serum plasma. Presently the NMRC is testing at an
unpublished level of about 5 nanograms in urine which is the equivalent
of the proposed 25 picograms blood
level. To date there have been no
positive tests for clenbuterol. Talk to
your vets about administration amounts and
withdrawal times. Most vets were
at the meeting and should be able to
provide more information on this.
The Committee also discussed
out of competition for horses. This would involve testing for certain
substances, class 1’s, 2’s and 3’s in horses that are out of competition for various reasons including being laid
up. Nothing has been decided and
we expect that a full analysis and consideration of all issues including legal issues related
to the proposal will have to be made before the NMHA can take any position on this. We will keep the Horsemen advised of
developments as they come up. We will
need your full input on this.
If you have any questions,
please call me at 505.266.7056 or 505.205.6650
(cell phone).
Thanks,
Pat Bingham
| Racino documents filed; state eyes Jan. 31 goal By Todd Wildermuth Editor, The Raton Range Horse Racing at Raton recently submitted to the New Mexico Gaming Control Board documentation aimed at providing financial assurances concerning the Raton racino project, which still has a lot to be done "in a short amount of time," according to the chairman of the gaming board. In granting the gaming license for the Raton project last June, the board attached several conditions to the license, the last of which were for Horse Racing at Raton President and project developer Michael Moldenhauer to provide by Dec. 31, 2009, proof that he can finance the racing portion of the estimated $50 million project and that Santa Fe investment broker Marc Correra - who was early last year allegedly tied to questionable state investment actions - has no financial interests in the project. Gaming board Chairman David Norvell said Moldenhauer turned in the required documentation on the deadline day, Dec. 31. Gaming board Deputy Executive Director Greg Saunders said the board and its staff are now reviewing and evaluating the information provided by Moldenhauer. Saunders and Norvell each said they were prohibited by law from discussing the details of the submitted information, but Norvell said the documentation regarding the divesture of Correra in the project "seems to be" satisfactory. The formal review of the latest information from Moldenhauer regarding his former partner in the Raton project and Horse Racing at Raton's current "ability to finish the job," as Norvell put it, should be completed prior to the gaming board's next monthly meeting scheduled for Jan. 21. Norvell said a project status report from Horse Racing at Raton will be on the agenda for that meeting. Norvell spoke with The Range Tuesday, the same day gaming board staff was meeting to discuss its future plans for monitoring the progress of the Raton project and determining if further information will be requested from Moldenhauer. Norvell said the board has "high hopes" that Moldenhauer will meet what Norvell called Moldenhauer's "self-imposed" deadline of getting a temporary casino up and running by Jan. 31. Work continued in preparation for the pouring of cement to create the slab on which a "tent" building is to house the temporary casino at the racino site in south Raton east of Interstate 25 and south of Hereford Avenue. The building is to be provided by an Albuquerque company, so transportation time should not be lengthy. In addition, Norvell pointed out, the construction crew planned to use a quick-setting cement. The construction site superintendent on Thursday told The Range the cement is scheduled to be poured Saturday, Jan. 9, and should set, or cure, within two or three days after it is poured. He expects the "tent" building to be set up soon after that. Norvell added, though, that the task of setting up the temporary casino still has key things to accomplish such as acquiring the 300 slots machines it is to have and setting up proper security measures. Norvell said there is a lot to be done "in a short amount of time" before the Jan. 31 deadline. "We're not going to be mad if it's Feb. 1 (when the temporary casino opens)," Norvell said. "If it's March 1, we're not going to be very happy." Norvell said the gaming board will wait until after Jan. 31 before taking any action regarding the Raton project if the opening of the temporary casino is further delayed. He said there is a variety of measures, including fines, the board could take to try to get "the licensee to perform." For now, though, the board is "cheerleading" for the project to move forward, Norvell said. He said the board's staff is in daily contact with Moldenhauer or one of his "operatives." Norvell also said the board is "in the mode of urging (Moldenhauer) on to get this done for the sake of Raton." The casino operations are also of concern to the New Mexico Racing Commission because casino money will build the horseracing purse fund - where the prize money comes from - for the inaugural race meet scheduled to begin May 28. The racing commission is expected to get an update on the Raton project when the commission meets Jan. 20. The racing commission - which issued the Raton racing license last January - wants to see Horse Racing at Raton not only have the temporary casino up and running by Jan. 31, but has also indicated that by that date it wants the group to have a general manager hired and a contract signed for the installation of the barns. Prior to The Range's Thursday afternoon press time, Moldenhauer had not responded to an e-mail sent to him earlier in the week inquiring about the timetable for the "tent" building to go up and the status of acquiring slot machines and planning for security. He also had not returned a phone message left Thursday morning at his Toronto-area office. Moldenhauer has said the racetrack and barns will be erected in the spring. The permanent casino - to house 600 slots - is expected to be built after the first racing season. Late last month, Moldenhauer said he remains the sole investor in the Raton project, but hopes to add a "New Mexico partner" in the first part of the new year. He said he has received a number of inquiries from potential investors within the state and he hopes to select one from among the interested parties. |