News

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) and Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) released today the results of HIWU’s investigation of the University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (UK-EACL). The full report can be accessed here. The report details the events leading up to the investigation, including UK-EACL’s persistent delays in reporting results, unprofessional staff behavior, and unresponsiveness to HIWU communications. Ultimately, the catalyst for the commencement of the investigation was the discovery by HIWU of intentional misrepresentations that were made about Sample analysis. Key findings of the six-month long investigation include: - UK-EACL’s failure to comply with mandatory testing specifications and instructions, including its standard operating procedures and sample analysis methods. - UK-EACL misrepresented both its ability to test for specific substances, including erythropoietin (EPO), and the completion of analysis for certain substances on specific Samples. - At the direction of UK-EACL Director Dr. Scott Stanley, the laboratory failed to perform confirmatory analysis on 91 Samples whose initial screening showed the potential presence of a Prohibited Substance and therefore required follow-up, instead reporting the Samples as Negative. As a result of these findings, HIWU re-analyzed and reconciled all remaining potentially affected Samples, and HISA has sought repayment from the University of Kentucky for the laboratory’s non-compliant services. “A key component of HIWU’s mandate is to protect the integrity of Thoroughbred racing and resolve potential deficiencies as soon as possible,” said Ben Mosier, HIWU’s executive director. “Through our decision to investigate UK-EACL and consequent discovery of ongoing deceitful activities, we’re proud to have uncovered and halted these unacceptable practices that were unfair to our horsemen and put horses at risk.” “HISA’s and HIWU’s actions to uncover these wrongdoings and quickly remedy them is a testament to how the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program is enhancing the integrity of our sport and ensuring fairness in competition,” said HISA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lazarus. “We also thank the University of Kentucky for their partnership and cooperation in the investigation.” To provide further assurance that the other Program Laboratories are in compliance with the ADMC Program requirements, HIWU has bolstered its Negative Sample Exchange Program and is preparing to implement HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation on January 1, 2025. HEAL accreditation will include enhanced compliance oversight by HIWU and a more robust Equine Quality Assurance Scheme sample program. Currently, in a transitional phase, lab accreditation is handled by the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium. HISA/HIWU were initially required to utilize the services of UK-EACL under the requirements of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. HEAL accreditation will give HIWU a strengthened ability to ensure strict compliance by all Program Laboratories with all ADMC Program requirements. About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority When the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law, it charged the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) with drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HISA is implementing, for the first time, a national, uniform set of rules applicable to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility. HISA is comprised of two programs: the Racetrack Safety Program, which went into effect on July 1, 2022; and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which went into effect on May 22, 2023. The Racetrack Safety Program includes operational safety rules and national racetrack accreditation standards that seek to enhance equine welfare and minimize equine and jockey injury. The Program expands veterinary oversight, imposes surface maintenance and testing requirements, enhances jockey safety, regulates riding crop use and implements voided claim rules, among other important measures. The ADMC Program includes a centralized testing and results management process and applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across the United States. These rules and enforcement mechanisms are administered by an independent agency ,the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFSI). About the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The ADMC Program established a centralized testing and results management process that applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across all American Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions that HISA governs. As the enforcement agency of the ADMC Program, HIWU oversees all testing processes, including the selection of horses to be tested, training of sample collection personnel, and chain of custody procedures. Additionally, HIWU is charged with industry/stakeholder education, laboratory accreditation, results management and adjudication, and investigations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org. Contact: Alexa Ravit, HIWU Director of Communications & Outreach  (816) 516-9572  aravit@hiwu.org Mandy Minger, HISA Director of Communications (917) 846-8804 mandy.minger@hisaus.org

Earlier today, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) were notified by the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC) that the RMTC had suspended its accreditation of the Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory at the University of Illinois Chicago (“UIC Lab”). This laboratory is responsible for analyzing all samples collected in Illinois, which constitute approximately 3% of all samples collected to date under the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The ADMC Program rules require that RMTC-accredited laboratories are used prior to the implementation of HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation standards, which will take effect in 2025. With the RMTC’s decision to suspend accreditation for the UIC Lab, HIWU is immediately diverting samples collected in Illinois to other Program laboratories. HISA and HIWU remain in communication with the RMTC and Illinois Racing Board for this ongoing matter and have no further comment at this time. Contact: Alexa Ravit, HIWU Director of Communications & Outreach  (816) 516-9572  aravit@hiwu.org

This afternoon, the Louisiana State Racing Commission held an Emergency Public Meeting at which the Commission voted to rescind in full the emergency updates to Louisiana’s controlled medication schedule for thoroughbred racing, which reportedly were set to take effect tomorrow in Louisiana (the “Emergency Rule”). With the complete rescission of the Emergency Rule, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, Inc. (“HISA”) will not require Covered Horses shipping from Louisiana to a HISA jurisdiction to be placed on the HISA Veterinarians’ List as medically compromised and unfit to race as announced in the June 5, 2024 Memorandum. HISA appreciates the Commission’s willingness to reconsider this important matter.

Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority 401 W Main Street, Suite 222 Lexington, Kentucky 40507 MEMORANDUM To: Owners/Trainers, Racing Secretaries, Regulatory Veterinarians, Track Management From: The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, Inc. (“HISA”) Date: June 5, 2024 Re: Covered Horses Shipping to Your Track from Louisiana Must be Placed on the HISA Veterinarians’ List The Louisiana State Racing Commission recently approved an emergency update to their controlled medication schedule for thoroughbred racing by adding additional medications and changing allowable dosage and/or withdrawal times (the “Emergency Rule”). The Emergency Rule, which was modified in part during an emergency public meeting held on June 4, 2024, will reportedly take effect in Louisiana on Saturday, June 8, 2024. HISA has reviewed the Emergency Rule (as modified during the public meeting on June 4, 2024) and HISA’s Veterinary Team has determined that it poses significant risks to both equine welfare and the integrity of thoroughbred racing. Some of the changes contemplated in the Emergency Rule contradict the weight of scientific evidence and long-established industry standards for medication controls. For example, the 50 ng/ml threshold (24 hours) for Flunixin is permissive of administration at less than 24 hours prior to a race, which can produce a systemic effect that would mask unsoundness and jeopardize the safety and welfare of the horse.1 Moreover, the Emergency Rule’s dosage specification for Betamethasone deviates significantly from existing ARCI Guidelines developed based on studies funded by the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium and others.2 These are only two of the serious concerns presented by the Emergency Rule. Accordingly, effective June 9, 2024 and pursuant to HISA Rule 2240, all Covered Horses shipping to your racetrack from Louisiana must be placed on the HISA Veterinarians’ List as medically compromised and unfit to race. This includes, but is not limited to, Covered Horses that: (i) Shipped in directly from Louisiana; (ii) Since June 8, 2024, have performed a workout at a training facility or racetrack located in Louisiana; and/or (iii) Since June 8, 2024, have competed in a race at a racetrack located in Louisiana. Covered Horses placed on the HISA Veterinarians’ List in accordance with this memorandum shall remain on the Veterinarians’ List until: (1) the Covered Horse performs a workout under the supervision of the Regulatory Veterinarian and demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Regulatory Veterinarian that the Covered Horse is sound to race; and (2) a blood sample is collected from the Covered Horse (at the Owner’s expense)3 following the workout and the sample has been reported as negative.4 HISA understands some of the horses covered by this memorandum will not be flagged until they have entered a race in your jurisdiction. These horses must be scratched unless they have already completed the requirements set forth in the preceding paragraph. Upon leaving Louisiana, trainers may immediately initiate the Vets’ List protocol set forth in this memorandum by notifying the Regulatory Veterinarian in the applicable jurisdiction who will then place the Covered Horse on the Vets’ List. We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to protecting the health and safety of horses and enhancing the integrity of our sport. ______________________________________________________ 1 See, e.g., Knych, H. K., et al., Pharmacokinetics and Effects of Thromboxane B2 Production Following Intravenous Administration of Flunixin Meglumine to Exercised Thoroughbred Horses, (2015). J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 38(4):313-320. See also, Knych, H.K., et al., Pharmacokinetics and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Flunixin Meglumine as a Sole Agent and in Combination with Phenylbutazone in Exercised Thoroughbred Horses, (2020), Equine vet J. doi:10.1111.evj.13260. 2 See ARCI Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule for Horses – Version 4.2.1 (December, 2020)(establishing a dosage specification of intra-articular administration of 9 milligrams of Betamethasone compared to a 60 mg dosage specification in the Emergency Rule); see also, Knych, H.K., et al., Pharmacokinetics of Betamethasone in Plasma, Urine, and Synovial Fluid Following Intra-Articular Administration to Exercised Thoroughbred Horses, (2017), Drug Test. Analysis 2017, 9, 1385-1391. 3 The Regulatory Veterinarian should note: ‘Covered Horse shipping from Louisiana – Medically Compromised’ in the Additional Information or Comments of the HIWU Vets’ List Request Form. 4 A Covered Horse should only be subject to this protocol once after leaving Louisiana. If, however, the Covered Horse returns to Louisiana, the horse would again be subject to this protocol before the horse could compete in a jurisdiction covered by HISA.

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced today the release of its 2023 Annual Report. The full report is available here. The Annual Report details HIWU’s organization-wide activities as the independent enforcement agency of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. Among the highlights are statistics on testing, results management, the adjudication of cases, investigations, and educational efforts. “We are pleased to present this comprehensive look at HIWU’s work on behalf of the Thoroughbred industry,” said Ben Mosier, executive director for HIWU. “The Report illustrates the tremendous team effort that was required to bring the ADMC Program to life and administer it nationwide, as well as the support and collaboration of industry groups and horsemen who have worked with us to help make the Program successful.” All Annual Reports will be archived in the About Us section of the HIWU website at hiwu.org for viewing anytime. About the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The ADMC Program establishes a centralized testing and results management process that applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across all American Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions that HISA governs. As the enforcement agency of the ADMC Program, HIWU oversees all testing processes, including the selection of horses to be tested, training of sample collection personnel, and chain of custody procedures. Additionally, HIWU is charged with industry/stakeholder education, laboratory accreditation, results management and adjudication, and investigations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org. Contact: Alexa Ravit, HIWU Director of Communications & Outreach  (816) 516-9572  aravit@hiwu.org

Horsemen’s Advisory: Capsaicin The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) would like to draw horsemen’s attention to capsaicin and its presence in products that are commonly used on or around Covered Horses. Capsaicin is an active component in many peppers and is responsible for their hot/irritant properties. Consequently, many horsemen use pepper pastes, hot sauce, and similar products to discourage horses from chewing on bandages or stall doors. However, capsaicin also has an analgesic effect and is often included in topical pain relief products such as creams, ointments, liniments, braces, and patches. For this reason, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority categorizes capsaicin as a Class B Controlled Medication Substance. It is regulated in Post-Race, Vets’ List, and Post-Work Samples. Studies have found that capsaicin is absorbed and eliminated more rapidly from the body when consumed or administered orally compared to when it is administered topically. Thus, the route of administration for or exposure to capsaicin is a factor in dictating a horse’s individual risk for a positive test. In consideration of the fact that HIWU’s partner laboratories have been testing for capsaicin since the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program’s inception and that there had been no adverse findings reported until this year, HIWU believes that the use of pepper/capsaicin products on bandages, doors, and other items/areas represents a minimal risk for a positive test. For any over-the-counter topical products (e.g. liniments, body braces) or oral supplements, horsemen should read all labels to check for capsaicin in the list of ingredients and exercise caution when using these products in close proximity to a race or workout. Capsaicin is also in peppers or pepper derivatives, including, but not limited to, chili peppers, cayenne peppers, and paprika, and should also be noted if mentioned on a label. Horsemen or veterinarians with questions should reach out to sciencesupport@hiwu.org.

Advisory: Dexamethasone Acetate • Please be aware that dexamethasone acetate is being used in some compounded products. It is important to note that it is different from dexamethasone. • In humans, dexamethasone acetate has a much longer half-life than dexamethasone alone and thus is eliminated more slowly than dexamethasone. However, the exact effect of the addition of acetate on slowing the elimination of dexamethasone from the horse has not been studied. • Consequently, there is an unknown risk for a positive test result in a Post-Race, Vets’ List, or Post-Work Sample when dexamethasone acetate is used. • There is no commercially available, FDA-approved formulation of dexamethasone acetate; it is only available as a compounded medication. • Should a horse require treatment: • It is advisable to administer dexamethasone. Dexamethasone has been extensively researched through administration studies, and the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium has recommended Withdrawal Guidance for its use. OR • If dexamethasone acetate is determined to be the drug of choice for a given horse’s condition, Clearance Testing through HIWU is recommended.

HIWU recommends caution when administering any kind of dietary supplements to Covered Horses. While the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program permits the possession and use of dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, and homeopathic products, Covered Persons should be aware that dietary supplements are not regulated or evaluated by the FDA for safety, purity, stability, potency, or efficacy prior to their sale. For example, HIWU recently received notice that an herbal product sold under the name “Yunnan Paiyao” tested positive for the presence of ephedrine, a Class A Controlled Medication. Ephedrine is not listed in the product’s ingredients. A positive test result stemming from the presence of a Prohibited Substance in a supplement will be prosecuted by HIWU as an ADMC Program violation regardless of whether or not the product label listed the Prohibited Substance as an ingredient. Covered Persons are reminded that HISA and HIWU do not approve, certify, or endorse dietary supplements or other feed products as being permitted under the ADMC Program.

Following the Federal Trade Commission’s approval to add iron dextran to the Banned Substances list under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program rules, the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced today that it will use the next 30 days as an educational period to give Covered Persons time to adapt to the new rule. Enforcement of the iron dextran rule will begin on December 27, 2023. As a reminder, the use/attempted use, administration/attempted administration, possession, or trafficking of a Banned Substance constitutes an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under the ADMC Program. HIWU urges Covered Persons to remove iron dextran from their barns, offices, trucks, and other areas connected to their business with Covered Horses. HISA recommended the designation of iron dextran and products containing iron dextran as Banned Substances due to the substance’s potential to compromise equine welfare. Questions related to iron dextran and the respective rule update should be directed to sciencesupport@hiwu.org

In accordance with the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit’s (HIWU) commitment to fairly and effectively implementing the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, HIWU is in continuous communication with its contracted laboratories to promote harmonized and consistent testing. Historically, the presence of cocaine, a Banned Substance under the ADMC Program, has been regulated in blood and urine through its metabolite, benzoylecgonine (BZE). This is because cocaine quickly metabolizes in the body, making it difficult to detect through testing. The control of BZE in urine has been harmonized across testing laboratories for years. Recently, Covered Horses trained by Keri Brion and R. McLane Hendriks tested positive for BZE in blood. While controls in urine for BZE have long been established, no corresponding testing specifications existed for blood. These circumstances prompted HIWU to lift each trainer’s Provisional Suspension and review scientific literature to determine appropriate testing specifications for blood such that it would correspond to existing controls in urine. The goal of this investigation was to ensure that cocaine is regulated consistently regardless of the testing matrix. Examination of the existing scientific literature failed to identify a testing specification for BZE in blood. However, in consultation with multiple scientific advisors, including laboratory directors, HIWU reviewed laboratory testing data in which BZE was detected in blood and urine samples collected in the same session and was able to determine a testing specification for blood based on this previously unavailable information. As a result of this investigation, HIWU concluded that the levels of BZE detected in the blood samples for Hendriks’ and Brion’s horses will not be pursued as Adverse Analytical Findings, for they did not exceed this new blood testing specification. In the interest of fairness to horsemen and program consistency, HIWU has elected to withdraw Brion’s and Hendriks’ cases. Contact: Alexa Ravit, HIWU Director of Communications & Outreach (816) 516-9572 aravit@hiwu.org

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) is dedicated to employing the most expansive and sensitive analytical technologies available for Pre- and Post-Race samples collected at the 2023 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The analysis of Breeders’ Cup samples is being expedited, with testing of samples from Friday races already underway at the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at UC Davis. The broad scope of testing that is being utilized requires sufficient time for completion when applied to all Post-Race samples collected. Accordingly, HIWU does not expect to report Post-Race results to the Breeders’ Cup on Monday, November 6, and Tuesday, November 7, as previously announced. HIWU’s reporting timelines for the Breeders’ Cup samples will comply with the requirements of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules. About the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The ADMC Program establishes a centralized testing and results management process that applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across all American Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions that HISA governs. As the enforcement agency of the ADMC Program, HIWU oversees all testing processes, including the selection of horses to be tested, training of sample collection personnel, and chain of custody procedures. Additionally, HIWU is charged with industry/stakeholder education, laboratory accreditation, results management and adjudication, and investigations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org. Contact: Alexa Ravit, HIWU Director of Communications & Outreach (816) 516-9572 aravit@hiwu.org

The development and implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program represented a groundbreaking moment for Thoroughbred racing in the United States. For the first time, all industry participants across the country could look forward to working under the same set of medication rules and feel confident in the consistency of their application regardless of jurisdiction. The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) launched the ADMC Program on May 22, 2023. I am pleased to say that HIWU is gaining traction in the industry as stakeholders become comfortable with our processes and staff. We acknowledge the creation of HISA and HIWU were significant changes for the sport – a sport that has been around for centuries – but fortunately, my team and I have been able to establish strong relationships with industry stakeholders at racetracks, state racing commissions, and laboratories across the country. Building on the progress that has been made is important to us, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with all of you. In regard to industry partners, I must also recognize Alan Foreman, who has already been an outstanding ombudsman for HISA’s ADMC rules after less than two months in the role. His commitment to assisting horsemen while offering HISA and HIWU constructive feedback has been a huge asset for both my team and racing participants across the sport. HIWU has benefited from his passions for equine welfare, maintaining the integrity of Thoroughbred racing, and the rights of horsemen. We are greatly appreciative of his service. As part of HIWU’s commitment to transparency, the industry can look forward to the release of an annual report in the first quarter of 2024 that will detail HIWU’s activities and testing data in 2023. Additionally, HIWU will issue quarterly reports with testing statistics beginning next year. All of this information will be published on the HIWU website so it can be viewed by anyone at any time. In the meantime, we continue to make updates to our Public Disclosures pages and the case information we share. After five months of operations, the HIWU team can report the following metrics in relation to our impact on the sport: • Since the launch on May 22, nearly 38,000 horses have been tested by HIWU-certified sample collection personnel. • The HIWU Operations team has certified more than 500 individuals to serve as sample collection personnel through 64 training sessions and supportive visits. All sample collection personnel are trained in HISA-compliant policies and the paperless data collection system developed by HIWU, which enhances the integrity of the sample collection process and chain of custody procedures. • The six accredited laboratories utilized by HIWU have reported the presence of more than 30 unique Prohibited Substances, including a dozen Banned Substances. • There are currently 10 reported cases being adjudicated for alleged non-presence violations, including the possession of Banned Substances and the use of Prohibited Methods (e.g., use of intra-articular injections within 14 days of a race). • HIWU has received positive samples for 23 substances included under the Atypical Findings Policy. Of those findings, 15 have already been resolved, with 14 deemed negative, and one pursued as an Adverse Analytical Finding (i.e., positive test). The remaining eight cases are pending. • ADMC cases have been resolved in an average of 62 days from the date the alleged violation occurred (e.g., date of sample collection). • The HIWU Investigations Unit has overseen more than 100 barn searches nationwide. These searches have resulted in 10 possession cases for Banned Substances. • HIWU’s anonymous whistleblower platforms have received more than 70 tips. • HIWU’s science team has conducted educational sessions via in-person meetings or Zoom to horsemen at more than 30 racetracks and training centers. • The HIWU website contains more than 40 educational resources, including fact sheets and videos. • The HIWU app, which features a comprehensive database of all Prohibited Substances, has been downloaded nearly 2,000 times in 13 countries. While I am extremely proud of my team thus far, our work is just beginning. I need only to look forward to this week for our largest assignment to date: administering the ADMC Program for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. To all those in the Thoroughbred industry who have worked with us to get this Program off the ground and running, from horsemen, veterinarians, and stewards, to test barn staff, state racing commission personnel, and laboratory directors: thank you. My team and I appreciate your collaboration, perspectives, input, and willingness to make this Program the best it can be. Contact: Alexa Ravit, HIWU Director of Communications & Outreach (816) 516-9572 aravit@hiwu.org