WASHINGTON — It’s no secret the horse racing industry is a huge part of Kentucky’s culture and economy. Friday the industry changed. In Kentucky and around the country, new national safety standards for thoroughbred racing took effect.
The first part of HISA — The Horse Racine Integrity and Safety Act — goes into effect on July 1and it creates universal standards for thoroughbred racing.
HISA CEO, Lisa Lazurus said, “I genuinely believe that these changes, these uniform guidelines are going to improve horse racing as an industry.”
The commission implementing the standards was created by legislation championed by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY, 6th Dist.). It was signed in to law two years ago.
Lazurus added, “The main changes there are a uniform crop rule for all racing participants. There’s enhanced veterinary reporting. We have a voided claim rule that applies across all states and also various jockey health requirements, such a jockey baseline test and a physical.”
Nearly 50,000 participants have registered with HISA so far. It includes jockeys, trainers and the athletes that can’t speak for themselves — the horses.
“We have an obligation to do everything we can to provide a safe home.. a safe environment safe rules.. all for the welfare of the horse,” said James Gagliano, of the Jockey Club.
Gagliano says universal regulations are something the sport has needed for years.
“It’s clearly a national sport. We find horses will race in more than one state… they find they will be spending more than half a year in Kentucky and here’s the rules that govern it… and they go to another state and it’s different. That makes no sense.”
Twenty-four states fall under HISA’s authority and 21 of those have reached or are reaching an agreement to implement the new federal law. The courts have upheld HISA’s constitutionality so far, but there are some legal challenges still pending.
The Texas Racing Commission pushed back, saying it has the sole authority to regulate Texas racetracks. Executive director of the Texas Racing Commission, Amy Cook said, “The funding model and the construct of the law is problematic with respect to who is actually supposed to implement.”
Texas even stopped accepting out-of-state bets in order to stay out of HISA’s jurisdiction. Cook added, “We don’t have to worry about any chaos. Everyone lost. Lone Star Park lost money, the horsemen lost purse money and the racing commission lost money because we are funded by a portion of the simulcast tax. It was worth the certainty.”
The second part of the law won’t go in effect until January. It includes anti-doping and medication controls.