Note For Horsemen: Meetings
New Mexico Horsemen's Meeting: 1/26/09
A general horsemen meeting was held after the NMRC meeting ended.
Two topics were discussed,- a proposal from the jockeys for a jock mount/fee/percentage increase and the request from the Downs for a reduction of days for 2009.
The jocks proposed a 2 tier jock mount/percentage fee. One tier would apply to Ruidoso and Albuquerque the other would apply to Sunland Park, Sunray and ZIA. The Horsemen agreed to consider the proposals and respond to the jockeys no later than February 2, 2009. Please provide your comments and if you agree or object to the proposals.
The proposals are as follows:
For The Downs At Albuquerque and Ruidoso Downs:
Purse Winning Mount Second Mount Third Mount Other Mounts
Up to $9,999 10% $80.00 $65.00 $60.00
$10,000-$14,999 10% 5% $80.00 $65.00
$15,000-24,999 10% 5% 5% $70.00
$25,000-49,999 10% 5% 5% $80.00
50,000-99,999 10% 5% 5% $90.00
100,000 and up 10% 5% 5% $120
For Zia Park, Sunland Park, SunRay Park
Purse Winning Mount Second Mount Third Mount Other Mounts
Up to $9,999 10% $90.00 $80.00 $75.00
$10,000-$14,999 10% 5% $90.00 $75.00
$15,000-24,999 10% 5% $110.00 $80.00
$25,000-49,999 10% 5% 5% $85.00
50,000-99,999 10% 5% 5% $95.00
100,000 and up 10% 5% 5% $120.00
Downs Race Days:
The Downs was granted 66 days of racing for 2009. This includes the Fair meet. Racing would start 8/14 and finish on 11/22. Downs has proposed a reduction of days to 48, 17 for the Fair meet and 31 for its regular meet. The Downs offered to run 11races a day if the reduction in dates was permitted. The Downs suggested that it could start racing on 8/17 and go until late October. This Downs has said that its costs related to racing have increased dramatically from 2007 to 2008 and that its simulcast and slot revenue has also suffered.
A majority of the Horsemen present at the general meeting supported 66 days of racing for the Downs in 2009. This would provide the Horsemen with the opportunity to run their horses. Most accepted the fact that the purses at the DAA would be lower this year than in years past.
On a positive note, the DAA will be putting between 150 and 200 new slots into service at the Downs this year. The increased revenue from more machines will help all concerned. Also the DAA has agreed to improve the back side at Albuquerque in terms of surfacing roads and improving drainage.
What do you think about a race day reduction at the DAA for 2009? Let us know ASAP.
Thanks to all the Horsemen for attending the meeting. The turnout was good but we need to do better at future meetings.
NMRC Meeting: Monday, January 16, 2009.
The Racing Commission provided information regarding its post race drug testing procedure. In this regard, the Commission will collect samples from the winners of each race and others that are selected randomly. 3 to 4 days of test samples are sent to Iowa State the first business day after the last race day. The samples are identified only by code. A portion of the sample is preserved under lock and key at the University of New Mexico Hospital. This sample is used for split testing if the need arises.
Once Iowa State receives the samples, it has 6 business days, not including the day of receipt, Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, to test the samples. If a sample is clear, the lab sends a notice to the NMRC chemist, Dr. Mueller in Las Cruces for his review and sign off. One Dr. Mueller signs off that the test is clear, the NMRC is notified and the NMRC then notifies the Stewards to release the purses. The entire process should take between 12 and up to 20 days.
If a sample is cloudy, the testing continues to identify the substance and the quantity of the substance present if a level applies. This additional testing adds additional time to the process. Once a sample is deemed positive at Iowa State a notice is sent to the NMRC and to Dr. Mueller the State Chemist. After evaluation the trainer is notified of the positive and of his right to have the split sample tested. The New Mexico Horsemen and the NMRC will arrange for the split to be sent off to either of three labs, LSU, U Texas or Truesdale in CA for testing. The sample is tested and a report is sent to the Horsemen which relays the information to the NMRC. If the split is negative, the NMRC drops its case. If positive the Investigator will notify the Trainer of the positive split test and hearing is held with the Stewards. If the Stewards find a violation, the Trainer may appeal to the full Commission and may request a stay of any discipline pending outcome of the Commission hearing that is usually held by a Hearing Officer employed by the State. After the case is heard, the Commission decides the final outcome. By rule it must consider mitigating circumstances including past history of the trainer . If the Commission decides that a violation has occurred, it signs off on the decision. If no violation is found, the Commission will also sign off on its decision. The Trainer has 30 days after final Commission decision to appeal any decision of the Commission to District Court under a Writ procedure.
On most appeals to the Commission a $1,500 fee is required. If you win your case the fee is refunded to the Trainer or Owner. You must request in writing that the fee is returned to you. You must also send the Commission a filled in and signed w-9 tax form to get your money back.
From the discussion at the meeting it is clear that there are areas in the drug testing process that can be improved upon. These are:
Establishing levels for the balance of substances that the Commission tests for. By establishing threshold levels the labs could eliminate situations where contamination has occurred and where the drug administered could have had no possible impact on the horses performance. Currently the lab at Iowa State tests to parts per billion. Parts per trillion tests will become commonplace in the future. At these levels substances that had been given to a horse a year ago could turn up in a positive test. Common sense in this regard must catch up to the science of drug testing in the equine athlete.
Instead of sending several days of test samples off to Iowa State at a time, send each day’s sample the same day. This way the lab will receive the samples in a more timely fashion eliminating some delay
Place the lab on a tighter schedule and require it to work on the samples on weekend and holidays. Most private labs do this. There is no reason that Iowa State cannot. That way the sample results would be reported faster and purses would be released in a more timely manner.
The NMRC agreed to look at hiring a second lab to work on samples to get results out quicker. The Horsemen will look at ways that we can expedite the split testing process.
Other matters discussed included streamlining the hearing process for positive tests. This can be done by hiring a second Hearing Officer and by placing the parties on a strict schedule to resolving cases just like a court does. This will help with the confusion and hardship that comes when the purses are held up for years.
TRACK SURFACE PREPARATION SO THAT THE TRACK IS READY FOR RACING WHEN THE TRACK OPENS.
The Horsemen brought this topic up but there was little meaningful accomplished. Mr. Baugh, Assistant GM stated that ZIA Park would be undertaking a review of its surface to determine what issues needed to be addressed before ZIA opens for training in 2009. A specific plan of action was not provided however. The NMHA will continue to do what is necessary to ensure safe track surfaces throughout New Mexico.
Posted by Pat Bingham at 1/28/2009 11:32 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: meeting race days downs at albuquerque NMRC LSU labs sample jockey track surface drug testing mount fee
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: meeting race days downs at albuquerque NMRC LSU labs sample jockey track surface drug testing mount fee
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