From: Patrick Bingham, NMHA Executive Director

Horsemen,

The NMRC medication committee met yesterday in order to discuss three topics: Coggins testing, the front shoe toe grab rule, and Anabolic steroids. The following was discussed:

Coggins Test: In order to gain entrance to any New Mexico race track, a horse must have a negative Coggins test taken within the last one year period (365 days or less). If the Coggins certificate expires while the horse is on the track's grounds, the horse will be allowed to stay within the perimeter of the track's grounds, but should the horse leave, it will not be allowed back on to any of the New Mexico racetracks unless it has obtained an updated negative Coggins certificate.

Toe Grabs

Presently, the NMRC rule requires that the front shoe toe grabs on training or racing thoroughbreds and quarter horses have a maximum length of four millimeters. Penn Gaming, Inc., the parent company of ZIA Park, has announced that it intends to institute a house rule that mandates two millimeter front shoe toe grabs for thoroughbreds. The matter was discussed at the NMRC medication committee meeting, and it was agreed that the present rule on toe grabs will need to be amended to accommodate the new initiative at ZIA. The NMRC will take up the proposed rule change for discussion purposes only at its September 18th meeting. for more info, see the date list at the bottom. Any decision on the toe grab limit will take place, at the earliest, on October 16, at the NMRC meeting set for ZIA Park. The 4 mm limit on front shoe toe grabs on quarter horses will not be affected by the proposed change. Horsemen who wish to express their position regarding the proposed rule change are encouraged to do so at the NMRC meeting, scheduled for Thursday, September 18th.

Anabolic Steroids:

The Medication committee of the NMRC discussed further action regarding oversight of the use of anabolic steroids in horses that race in New Mexico. A subcommittee was formed with the purpose of developing an outreach program that will provide current information to trainers and owners who race their horses in New Mexico. The outreach program will be part of a public/private initiative that is designed to educate and inform Horsemen regarding national trends in the industry, along with future plans regarding the use of steroids in horses that race in New Mexico.

The new DAA track committee members have been elected. Congratulations to Ken Grisham, Jack Dale, Tom Pierce, Jose A. Gonzales (trainer members), and Vance Mikkelson, Dr. Matt Rounseville, Jay Slone, and Kenneth Corrazza (Owner members). Thank you all for your dedication and time!

NMHA State Board Meeting: Wed, September 17th, 10:00 am, State Office in Albuquerque.

NMHA State Board Meeting: October 15, Hobbs, NM, time: TBA

NMRC Meeting: September 18th, NMRC, Albuquerque office, Executive Session: 9:30 am, Public Session: 10:00 am

NMRC Meeting: October 16th, Zia Park, 10:00 am (Public Session)

DAA Track Safety Committee: September 11th, DAA jockey club, 10:30 am.

All Horsemen are invited and encouraged to attend all meetings. Your opinion matters!