ARCI Chair Robert Lopez said today that the US members of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) are focused on a smooth and expeditious implementation of the newly enacted Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. “We view this as an opportunity to achieve improvements we support and believe necessary”.
“Uniform rules, uniform testing, expanded jurisdiction over horses, and the
creation of a multi-jurisdictional investigative entity are all tremendous
improvements that will result from this law” said Ed Martin, ARCI’s President.
The ARCI had, in the past, advocated
a different path to address these needs, specifically the creation of an
interstate compact as an alternative to involving the federal government.
But only a few states picked up that mantle leaving interested lawmakers in
Washington no other choice but to pass the new federal law.
“The ARCI
and US State regulators are eager and ready to work in partnership with the new
authority, the US Anti-Doping Agency, and the Federal Trade Commission to
ensure a smooth transition and effective program,” Martin said.
“RCI Members
in Canada have long demonstrated how a federal agency can partner with
Provincial Racing Commissions with each complimenting the other. We
envision that happening in the US,” Lopez said.
Beyond the promulgation of rules
affecting medications and anti-doping which will soon shift to the HISA and the
FTC, the US State racing commissions operate an extensive drug testing
infrastructure involving sample collection, laboratory testing, investigations,
prosecutions, stewards hearings, and consideration of
appeals. How best to utilize these assets to achieve the
goals of the new law in individual states will require hard work and much
effort, according to the ARCI.
“We are eager to begin that effort,” Martin
said, noting that the deadline for full HISA implementation is July 1,
2022. “Those who have not been in the trenches may not fully
appreciate the sheer magnitude of the challenge we collectively
face. But we shall get it done.”
