RMTC
By Tom LaMarra
Florida Gov. Rick Scott June 2 signed into law legislation that will revamp equine medication and drug testing as part of the National Uniform Medication Program.
The law takes effect July 1 of this year. It requires the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering to adopt rules that govern permitted therapeutic medications and testing under model rules endorsed by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium and adopted by the Association of Racing Commissions International.
In a major change the new regulations permit only furosemide, also known as Salix or Lasix, on race day. Horsemen no longer will be permitted to use prednisolone sodium succinate, commonly called Solu-Delta Cortef, an anti-inflammatory drug.
Florida has been the only state that permits its use on race day.
Also, the maximum fine for a medication violation has been increased from $5,000 to $10,000. The new rules also adopt the Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule, which sets testing threshold levels for 26 commonly used drugs.
โIndeed, Florida was known throughout the horse racing industry as โthe obstructionist stateโ in the efforts toward national uniformity,โ Florida Horsemenโs Benevolent and Protective Association executive director Kent Stirling said. โThe fact is that any change required an act of the legislature. Even though pari-mutuel issues are notoriously contentious in Florida, this is one area where everyone agreed.โ
The measure was supported by the Florida HBPA, Florida Thoroughbred Breedersโ and Ownersโ Association, and the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association, as well as The Jockey Club and RMTC.
โThe consensus represents the interests of nearly 10,000 Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse owners, trainers, and racehorse breeders who conduct business in Florida,โ Florida HBPA president Bill White said. โItโs a timely statement on the importance of professional horsemenโs associations in the legislative, regulatory, and racing operations process.โ
As for drug testing, Florida must use an โoutside quality assurance programโ to assess the ability of all laboratories approved by the Florida DPMW.
