IMPORTANT NEWS!!!!!   THE AMENDMENTS TO THE NMRC RULES THAT ARE STATED IN THIS NOTE BECOME EFFECTIVE ON JULY 5, 2010.  PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT AND SPEAK WITH YOUR VET ON ALL MEDICATION ISSUES.

Note for Horsemen

Re:  Racing CommissionMeeting of May 19, 2010

Dear Horsemen:

Following is a summary of action taken by the NMRC at itsregular called meeting, yesterday, May 19, 2010:

Racing at Raton: Tabled action to rescind racing license toJune, 2010 meeting.   June meeting to beheld on  June 16, 2010 at 4900 Alameda,NE, Albuquerque, NM.

Pyroplasmosis Testing;

As of May 19, 2010, 6954 race horses have been tested forpyroplasmosis in New Mexico.  Of the6,954 horses, 19 have tested positive. The positive horses have either been euthanized or are in a permanentquarantine.  All 19 horses that testedpositive had no evidence of tick infestation. Ticks are the common carrier of the disease.  The Livestock Board surmises that the 19horses became infected through use of needles and syringes that were notsterilized.    It appears that down theroad an annual negative test (as in the coggins test) for pyroplasmosis will berequired for each race horse entering a racetrack in New Mexico.   Contact the NM Livestock Board for moreinformation.  (505) 841- 6161

Currently horses may come on the grounds on Ruidoso andSunray provided that the blood for the pyroplasmosis  test is drawn within 24 hours ofarrival.  Beginning with the Albuquerquerace meet all horses must have evidence of a negative test in order to come onthe grounds.   The DAA will open its barnarea about August 3, 2010.  Racing startsat the DAA on August 14.  A negative testwill also be required for horses to come on the ZIA grounds.  ZIA will open its doors to horses in lateAugust.

The NMRC passed  following changes to its racing rules:

All rules will become effective on July 5, 2010.   As always,please consult with your vet about medication issues.

Changed Rule 15.2.5.13 (Equipment)  to require all personnel who go to the track,pony persons etc., and the assistant starters on the gates to wear protectivevest and helmets.

Changed Rule 15.2.6.9 regarding Lasix to provided that Tbsrunning in TB races (measured in furlongs) are to receive lasix 4 hours before post time with the dosage being  no less than 150 mgs nor more than 500mgs.  Qhs and Tbs running in quarterhorse races (measure in yards) shall receive lasix no later than 3 hours beforea race and at the same dosage as present, 100 mgs  minimum to 250 mgs maximum.

Eliminated Arquel (Meclofenamic Acid) level. Level was 1.0microgram in the blood, when rule becomes effective there will be no level forArquel effectively resulting in a zero tolerance situation for a positive.

Reduced Banamine level from 1000 nanograms to 50.

Reduced  Ketoprofenlevel from 50 nanograms to 10 nanograms.

Change Rule section D 15.2.6.9  Penalties for Banamine and Ketoprofen levelsin excess of rule  to:

First offense for a Banamine level of  60 Nanograms to 1000 Nanograms  in a year, a verbal warning (provided in writing).

First offense for a Banamine level of 1100 Nanograms to 1300Nanograms  will be a written warning.

First offense in year for a Ketoprofen level of 11 to 30nanograms will be a written verbal warning.

First offense during a year for a Ketoprofen level of 31 to40 nanograms will be a written warning.

Subsequent offenses for elevated levels will call for fines,possible suspension and possible loss of purse. We will publish the rule changes once we received the official notice of the changes from the NMRC.

Added a rule, 15.2.6.9 F which will required testing for TC02 (milkshake) levels.  A TC02 level greater than 37 millimoles willresult in a class 4 positive.  Testingwill be done solely at Sunland Park beginning with the 2010-2011 race meet andwill affect only TBS.  One horse  from each TB race will be randomly selectedfor testing.    Max penalty for apositive will be 60 day suspension, $1,000 fine and loss of purse.

A positive will fall under the class 4 medication penaltyclassification.

Changed rule 15.2.5.11 to require that all gate approvals bemade by a licensed starter  at a NMRClicensed facility with the  approval  recorded on a form approved by the NMRC.

Changed rule 16.47.1.10 regarding licensing of new trainersto eliminate the oral interview as a testing means.   Oral tests or written tests will still begiven. 

These rule changes will go into effect on July 5, 2010. Please call Pat Bingham at the NMHA offices at 505.205.6650 or505.266.7056 for more information.  Youmay also reach me at binghampe@yahoo.com.   The racing commission number is505.222.0700.

As with any medication issue please consult with yourveterinarians.

The NMRC decided the issue of the jockeys’ refusal toride at Sunray Park on April 24, 2009. 

14 jockeys received a 1 day suspension from riding witha  $400.00 fine.

1 jockey received a 15 day suspension from riding with a$1,500 fine.

11 jockeys were found to have taken  no part in the walkout and their citationswere dismissed. 

Regarding 6 year and above maidens racing in NewMexico.  This was rejected by theNMRC.  The NMRC number is 505.222.0700.

As always, please call Pat Bingham at the NMHA offices at505.266.7056 or 505.205.6650 if you have any questions regarding this note.