News

HIWU will oversee testing, educate stakeholders on the new program, accredit laboratories, investigate potential violations, and prosecute any such violations.

News

Latest News and Developments from the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit in the Thoroughbred Industry.

Category

0Z84271-min
Outreach

Advisory: Dexamethasone Acetate

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.

Advisory: Dexamethasone Acetate

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Outreach

Dietary Supplements Alert: Prohibited Substances in Herbal Products

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.

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0Z84294-min
Outreach

Enforcement of Rule Modification Regarding Iron Dextran Begins December 27, 2023

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

Enforcement of Rule Modification Regarding Iron Dextran Begins December 27, 2023

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0Z84490-min
Outreach

Five Months of the HISA ADMC Program: Update from HIWU Executive Director Ben Mosier

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

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Outreach

Update on ADMC Cases and the Harmonization Among HIWU-Accredited Laboratories of Metformin’s Limit of Detection in Blood

As part of the ongoing process to update the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program rules based on feedback from horsemen, the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) conducted an internal review of the Limit of Detection in blood for Metformin, a Banned Substance, at its six accredited laboratories. Following this review, which was conducted in collaboration with the laboratories, it was determined that not all applied the same Limit of Detection in analyzing samples for the presence of Metformin. HIWU has since met with all six laboratories to establish an updated, uniform Limit of Detection. To preserve fairness in the adjudication of all reported Adverse Analytical Findings, i.e., positive test results, HIWU has lifted the Provisional Suspensions and will be withdrawing the Equine Anti-Doping Charge letters from trainers Guadalupe Munoz Elizondo and Javier Morzan due to their Covered Horses testing positive for Metformin at levels in blood that would not have been reported as Adverse Analytical Findings under the updated Limit of Detection. All laboratories contracted with HIWU to test samples in the United States are accredited by the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium. The HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory Accreditation standards are currently in development, and HIWU expects that the transition will continue through 2024. Presently, there are efforts to harmonize testing sensitivity across the laboratories through an external quality assurance program that includes single- and double-blind quality assurance samples and a passed sample exchange program. Additionally, substances will continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that all laboratories contracted by HIWU report uniform results for the same substances present at the same levels in different samples. The review of and update to Metformin’s Limit of Detection in blood represents progress from previous state-based regulatory structures in which laboratories historically operated independently of each other, resulting in substances being controlled differently depending on the laboratory conducting the testing. HISA’s national structure enables HIWU to oversee all testing across the country and facilitate uniform enforcement of the ADMC rules. HIWU is committed to the harmonization of its laboratories and continues to work with them to reach this goal. Contact: Alexa Ravit, HIWU Director of Communications & Outreach (816) 516-9572 aravit@hiwu.org

Update on ADMC Cases and the Harmonization Among HIWU-Accredited Laboratories of Metformin’s Limit of Detection in Blood

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DJI 0447
Appointments

HISA and HIWU Name Alan Foreman as Ombudsman

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced today that Alan Foreman, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Associations, Inc. (THA), will serve as ombudsman on behalf of HISA’s rules, with a primary focus on the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The appointment is effective immediately. As the national ombudsman, which is modeled after the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Ombuds Program, Foreman’s responsibilities include: Serving as an impartial and unbiased resource for Covered Persons and other Thoroughbred industry constituents to provide confidential advice and assistance at no cost to them in relation to the ADMC Program and the Racetrack Safety Program, including with respect to the rights and obligations of Covered Persons under both Programs. Accepting feedback and comments from Covered Persons and other Thoroughbred industry constituents with respect to the rules comprising both Programs and communicating such feedback and comments to HISA and/or HIWU. Providing advice to HISA and HIWU about the content and interpretation of the rules comprising both Programs. In addition to Foreman’s current position with the THA, which he is maintaining, Foreman is recognized as one of the leading racing law and equine attorneys in the United States, with expertise in medication, drug testing, equine safety, and welfare. His law practice encompasses all aspects of equine and horse racing law, and he is counsel to many horsemen’s and racing industry organizations, including the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, National Steeplechase Association, and the United States Equestrian Federation Drugs and Medications Program. He is co-vice chair of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium. He chairs the Mid-Atlantic Strategic Plan to Reduce Equine Fatalities, co-authored the widely respected New York Task Force Report on Racehorse Health and Safety, and was recently named by Maryland Governor Wes Moore to the newly created Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority. Foreman has informed HISA and HIWU that he will donate all compensation paid to him by both groups in connection with his duties as ombudsman to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “HISA’s commitment to fairness in racing includes ensuring every horseman is fully aware of our rules and processes,” said HISA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lazarus. “I am grateful that Alan is assisting HISA and HIWU to help educate racing participants and listen and learn from them as we work together to implement HISA’s regulations as evenly and effectively as possible.” “The new ombudsman position will assist horsemen and other Covered Persons with navigating the ADMC rules, thus enhancing understanding and facilitating compliance under the ADMC Program,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “Alan’s extensive experience in horse racing law, combined with a thorough understanding of HISA’s rules, make him the ideal industry representative to take on this role.” “I applaud HISA and HIWU for creating this important position and am honored that they have asked me to serve. It is vital for all Covered Persons and organizations to have a trusted advocate and resource for them in this new system, and I will do my best to be fair, objective, effective and meaningful. I hope this position helps to smooth the transition to our new regulatory system,” said Foreman. Industry participants interested in utilizing the ombudsman service should reach out to Foreman via email at alan@foremanlaw.net or by phone at (410) 336-0525. 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 and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFSI). Contact: Mandy Minger, HISA Director of Communications (917) 846-8804 mandy.minger@hisaus.org 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, Director of Communications & Outreach (816) 516-9572 aravit@hiwu.org

HISA and HIWU announced Alan Foreman as ombudsman

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HIWU/HISA Label Supplements
Outreach

Horsemen Advisory Regarding “HISA/HIWU-approved” Labels on Supplements

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) advises all horsemen and veterinarians that HIWU and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) do not approve, certify, or endorse dietary supplements or other feed products as being permitted under HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. Any labels with such designations, including the example above, are fraudulent. Individuals with information regarding products with fraudulent HISA or HIWU labels should report it to one of HIWU’s whistleblowers platforms: Telephone Line: (888) 714-HIWU Text Line: (855) 901-TIPS Email Address: hiwutips@hiwu.realresponse.com The ADMC Program permits the possession and use of dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, and homeopathic products. However, horsemen and veterinarians are reminded that dietary supplements are not regulated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Positive test results stemming from the presence of a Prohibited Substance in a supplement will be prosecuted by HIWU as violations of the ADMC Program. Further, the FDA defines a drug, in part, as a substance that is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Consequently, supplements with “drug claims” on the label, e.g., “treats ulcers,” “mitigates bleeding,” or “prevents tying up,” are considered unapproved animal drugs that lack FDA approval. All drugs that are not approved by the FDA are categorized as Banned Substances (S0) under the ADMC Program. For additional questions about supplements, please contact sciencesupport@hiwu.org

Horsemen Advisory Regarding “HISA/HIWU-approved” Labels on Supplements

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Outreach

HIWU Launches Mobile App; Substance Lookup Tool and Educational Resources Among Key Features

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced today that it has launched a mobile HIWU app to assist stakeholders in the Thoroughbred industry with the components of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The free app is highlighted by a Prohibited Substances database, through which users can look up any of the substances that comprise HISA’s Prohibited List of more than 1,300 Banned Substances and Controlled Medications. Each substance listing is populated with information about the substance such as HISA classification, licensed and colloquial names, Detection Times and Screening Limits (as applicable), and the Food and Drug Administration label’s indication for use. In addition to the substance lookup tool, the app includes access to all educational materials on the HIWU website and the ability to submit tips through HIWU’s anonymous whistleblower platforms. Pending and resolved matters concerning potential violations of the ADMC Program are also available for viewing at any time. The app is configured to send push notifications to mobile devices to alert users about important updates. “HIWU is pleased to offer a convenient app to the Thoroughbred industry to enable participants to access important resources about the ADMC Program wherever they are,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “We are especially excited about the substance lookup feature, which will bring this important information to the fingertips of horsemen, veterinarians, and others who need to be able to easily consult the Prohibited List". “The app is inclusive of HIWU’s broader education efforts to assist industry participants to operate in compliance of the ADMC Program.” The app is now available for download on the Apple and Android app stores. 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

HIWU Launches Mobile App; Substance Lookup Tool and Educational Resources Among Key Features

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Outreach

Clarification for Anti-Ulcer Medication, Isotonic Electrolyte Solution Administration and Products Intended for External Use Only

Pursuant to Rule 4211 of the Rule Series 4000 (The Prohibited List) of the ADMC Program, only feed, hay, and water are permitted during the Race Period (the 48 hours preceding scheduled Post-Time or a Vets’ List Workout), with some exceptions. Under Rule 4212, anti-ulcer medications are an exception. Anti-ulcer medications (including, but not limited to, cimetidine, omeprazole, ranitidine, and sucralfate) are not prohibited up to 24 hours prior to a Covered Horse’s scheduled Post-Time. Please note that the FDA strongly recommends the use of FDA-approved drug products over the use of compounded medications, as compounded products have not undergone FDA approval. As such, they have not been scrutinized with respect to criteria such as safety, efficacy, stability, and purity. Some compounded products may be manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practice; however, there may be an increased risk involved in their administration to Covered Horses, notably as Post-Time approaches. Veterinarians bear responsibility for the compounded products that they dispense or administer. Rule 4212 does not prohibit unsupplemented isotonic electrolyte solutions administered by oral or intravenous routes up to 24 hours prior to the Post-Time of a Covered Horse. Veterinarians are encouraged to carefully read labels to verify that the product for intended use does not contain additional substances, including, but not limited to, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium sulfate, and dextrose. If other substances such as these are components of the electrolyte solution, that solution may not be administered within the 48-hour Restricted Administration Time of a Covered Horserace or Vets’ List Workout. Please also note that vitamins may only be administered orally up to 24 hours prior to Post-Time. If vitamins are administered in intravenous fluids or as stand-alone injections, they would also be subject to a corresponding 48-hour Restricted Administration Time. If a product is expressly intended for external use, and there are no Prohibited Substances (Banned and/or Controlled Medication Substances) listed as ingredients on the label, the use of the product would not be prohibited during the Race Period. HOWEVER, to the extent that the use of any such product results in the presence of a Prohibited Substance in the Sample of a Covered Horse, the Responsible Person will be held fully accountable for any resulting ADMC Program violation and will be subject to the corresponding penalties.

Clarification for Anti-Ulcer Medication, Isotonic Electrolyte Solution Administration and Products Intended for External Use Only

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General

HISA ADMC Program in Full Swing Under HIWU; Belmont Stakes to be First Triple Crown Race Run Under Program

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) has overseen a successful relaunch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which took effect on May 22, 2023, following a court-ordered pause on March 31. The Program originally launched on March 27. Through the first two weeks, more than 3,000 Covered Horses have been tested at 22 tracks across the country. The test types include Post-Race, Out-of-Competition, Vets’ List, and TCO2, as well as testing on claimed Covered Horses and Covered Horses that suffered injuries or fatalities. All samples have been collected by HIWU-trained personnel following uniform processes that are supported by a paperless documentation system. The samples have been sent to one of the six laboratories that have been approved by HIWU to participate in the ADMC Program. All of these laboratories must meet the same performance specifications. As per HISA’s ADMC Program regulations, HIWU is required to adhere to timely public disclosure policies in the event of an Adverse Analytical finding, i.e., positive test. For positive tests associated with Banned Substances, the violation will be published on the HIWU website upon the imposition of a Provisional Suspension to the trainer, which occurs once the trainer is notified of the positive test. For positive tests associated with Controlled Medications, the violation will be published after the B sample, i.e., split sample, confirms the positive result or the trainer waives the right to test the B sample. More information about HIWU’s public disclosure policies can be found on the HIWU website. HIWU’s anonymous whistleblower platforms are also live and have been accepting tips that may be used in the investigation of potential violations of HISA’s Racetrack Safety and/or ADMC Programs. More information about the tip lines, including the telephone number, text number, and email address, can be found here. “With HISA’s national, uniform ADMC Program finally in place, the last two weeks represent a momentous step forward for Thoroughbred racing in the United States,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “We thank the industry stakeholders who have collaborated with us and been supportive over the last year to help the Program get off the ground successfully.” To support the administration of the ADMC Program at Belmont Park in advance of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which will be held Thursday, June 8, through Saturday, June 10, HIWU team members are on site to ensure smooth operations. Saturday’s Belmont Stakes will be the first Triple Crown race to be run under the regulations of the HISA ADMC Program, which includes selected Out-of-Competition testing for prospective entrants in advance of the race in addition to Post-Race and TCO2 testing. “HIWU will build off its early momentum to showcase our world-class program to a national audience this weekend and demonstrate how the Program enhances equine safety and welfare across the country while promoting the integrity of the sport,” said Mosier. 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. HIWU oversees testing, educating stakeholders on the program, laboratory accreditation, investigation of potential violations, and prosecution of any such violations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org. Contact: Alexa Ravit, Director of Communications & Outreach (816) 516-9572 aravit@hiwu.org

ADMC Program Running Under HIWU; Belmont Stakes First Triple Crown Race Under Program

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high-rez-7
General

HIWU Relaunches Anonymous Whistleblower Platforms in Partnership with RealResponse; Platforms Now Accepting Tips for both ADMC and Racetrack Safety Programs

(New York, NY and Charlotte, NC)- The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) and RealResponse announced today the relaunch of its anonymous whistleblower platforms to enable Thoroughbred racing participants to submit tips regarding potential violations of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) and Racetrack Safety Programs. At the time of the original Program launch on March 27, 2023, the platforms were only accepting tips related to ADMC Program violations. Individuals who would like to submit tips should utilize the following contact options: Phone Line: (888) 714-HIWU (4498) Text Line: (855) 901-TIPS (8477) Email Address: hiwutips@hiwu.realresponse.com “Opening up HIWU’s anonymous whistleblower platforms to those seeking to report potential Racetrack Safety Program violations in addition to ADMC violations strengthens HISA’s uniform and efficient approach to safety and integrity in racing. It also simplifies the process for horsemen and industry participants seeking to ensure a safe and clean sport, which benefits everyone,” said Ann McGovern, HISA’s director of Racetrack Safety. The text and email platforms are supported through a partnership with RealResponse, the market leader in anonymous two-way communication, providing safe and secure reporting platforms for athletes, teams, and organizations worldwide. The telephone platform is supported by Ansafone. Using the designated telephone line, text line, or email address, any industry participant can anonymously submit information for review by HIWU’s Investigations Unit. Submissions are accepted 24/7, and whistleblowers have the option to volunteer their contact information if they are open to potential follow up from HIWU’s investigators. “Horse racing is at the most significant crossroads in its history, and today’s announcement underscores how important it is to stay one step ahead of bad actors,” said RealResponse Founder and Chief Executive Officer David Chadwick. “Now more than ever, everyone in the industry – not just those who govern it – must be hypervigilant about the health, safety, and well-being of the jockeys and horses who power the sport. That is why we partnered with HIWU to create and implement the safest, fastest, and most confidential way to anonymously share information about the welfare of competitors and threats to the integrity of competition.” Examples of violations of the ADMC and Racetrack Safety Programs that can be reported include, but are not limited to: - Use/attempted use, administration/attempted administration, trafficking/attempted trafficking, or possession of a Banned Substance/Method. - Use of a Controlled Medication Substance/Method in a manner contrary to horse welfare. - Evasion of sample collection. - Tampering or attempted tampering with the ADMC Program. - Falsified or improper veterinary records. - Paper training. - Use of buzzers. - Improper use of shockwave therapy. Any activity negatively affecting horse welfare is a potential violation of the Racetrack Safety Program. Examples of information that can be included in an anonymous tip include, but are not limited to: - Names of Covered Horses. - Names of specific trainers or other Covered Persons. - Names of substances. - Specific barns or other facilities. - Other identifying information about Covered Persons or Covered Horses relevant to the potential violation. Tips that are specific to HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program will be investigated by HIWU’s Investigations Unit, which will submit reports to HISA to be handled by HISA staff, as appropriate. ADMC Program violations will be investigated and prosecuted by HIWU. “HIWU’s anonymous whistleblower platforms were well-received when the ADMC Program first launched in March, and we’re pleased to make them available again to help inform the work of our Investigations Unit,” said Michelle Pujals, general counsel for HIWU. “Expanding HIWU’s capabilities to accept tips regarding the Racetrack Safety Program will facilitate more effective investigatory operations to identify and catch those who compromise the integrity of the sport and the welfare of its athletes.” Industry participants should note that the HIWU Investigations Unit will not respond to violations or inquiries that fall outside the jurisdiction of HISA, and such information should be reported to the relevant regulatory authorities. 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. HIWU oversees testing, educating stakeholders on the program, laboratory accreditation, investigation of potential violations, and prosecution of any such violations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org. 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 resumed its implementation 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 and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFS). HIWU oversees testing, educates stakeholders on the Program, accredits laboratories, investigates potential ADMC violations and prosecutes any such violations. About RealResponse The RealResponse community includes more than one million athletes, coaches, administrators, and staff, across college and professional sports, governing bodies, and integrity units. All are focused on building safe and inclusive environments that elevate athletes' voices through the platform. Founded in 2015 with its signature custom-centric approach, RealResponse allows for real-time reporting, surveys, compliance support, competitive benchmarks, and metrics. These insights help advance an anonymous and open line of communication between athletes, participants, and their respective organizations. For more information, visit realresponse.com. Contact: Alexa Ravit, Director of Communications & Outreach                  (816) 516-9572                   aravit@hiwu.org

HIWU Anonymous Whistleblower Platforms Relaunch for Racetrack Safety and ADMC Tips

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Outreach

HISA Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program to Relaunch May 22, 2023, Under Enforcement of HIWU

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), the independent enforcement agency of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, reminds industry stakeholders that the ADMC Program is set to go into effect on May 22, 2023. The Program initially took effect on March 27 of this year before being paused on March 31. As was the case on the date of the initial implementation on March 27, industry participants should be aware of the following key changes that will apply nationwide as of May 22: • All Covered Horses will be subject to the ADMC Program regulations, which includes adherence to the Prohibited List of Banned and Controlled Medication Substances/Methods. Banned Substances are prohibited from being used, possessed, administered, or trafficked in relation to a Covered Horse at any time. Controlled Medications are permitted for use or administration in a Covered Horse, except in close proximity to a race or Vets’ List workout. As specified in the Prohibited List, certain Controlled Medications, i.e., corticosteroids, NSAIDs, analgesics, and local anesthetics, are regulated in samples collected following routine official timed workouts. • Lasix will be permitted in all races, except for 2-year-old races and stakes races. Lasix will also be permitted, regardless of age or class of competition, during training, including Vets’ List workouts. • All test selection will be overseen by HIWU using an intelligence-based strategy. While HIWU has the ultimate discretion to select Covered Horses for testing, intelligence from “boots-on-the-ground” industry participants, including state stewards and veterinarians, and continued cooperation with state racing commissions and laboratory/scientific partners will also inform the test selection process. • All sample collection personnel, including test barn staff, will have been trained by HIWU staff on ADMC Program-compliant procedures. Sample collection processes will be facilitated by a HIWU app that will serve as a paperless documentation system. The app will be prepopulated with relevant race-day and Covered Horse information from InCompass and the HISA Portal. • All laboratories utilized under the ADMC Program are accredited by the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC), pending the implementation of the HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory accreditation, and will be held to the same performance specifications. • All laboratory results for samples collected under the ADMC Program will be reported to, and processed by, HIWU. The standard turnaround time for receiving Post-Race test results will be 10 business days after the laboratory’s receipt of samples, and the standard turnaround for Vets’ List clearance testing will be five business days after the laboratory’s receipt of samples. • HIWU will be responsible for distributing notices of Adverse Analytical Findings (i.e., positive test results) to Responsible Persons (e.g., trainers) under the ADMC Program and filing charges of ADMC Program violations against Responsible Persons. • Anti-Doping Rule Violations will be heard by members of the Arbitral Body, which is administered by JAMS, an independent third party. Controlled Medication Rule Violations will be heard by the Internal Adjudication Panel, whose members are selected by HISA and HIWU. Industry participants should also note that national anonymous whistleblower platforms will relaunch on May 22. HIWU has partnered with RealResponse, the leading provider of safe and secure reporting platforms for athletes, teams, and organizations. Upon relaunch, the whistleblower platforms will accept information regarding violations of both the ADMC and Racetrack Safety Programs through telephone, text message, or email. Examples of information that can be safely and anonymously submitted include names of Covered Horses, trainers, and owners that may be involved in a rule violation. Individuals will have the option to voluntarily provide their contact information so that the HIWU Investigations Unit can follow up, if needed. The whistleblower phone numbers, text message information, and email address will be available on the HIWU and HISA websites. Furthermore, the deadline for bisphosphonates screenings has been extended in response to the new implementation date. More information about the use of bisphosphonates under the ADMC Program can be found here. “Following a successful rollout of the ADMC Program on March 27, the HIWU team is excited to relaunch on May 22 and help promote safety and integrity during a critical time for Thoroughbred racing,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “Since April, HIWU has focused on training sample collection personnel at tracks that have yet to operate under the ADMC Program and providing refreshers where necessary. We have also fine-tuned processes based on feedback we received from the first week, which will enable even more effective operations going forward.” Once the ADMC Program takes effect, the following states and/or racetracks with live racing in May will continue to provide sample collection personnel services by utilizing their current staff, who have been trained and certified by HIWU. Voluntary agreements have either been signed or will be signed before the first day of racing under the new ADMC Rules with the following entities: • California Horse Racing Board • Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission • Emerald Downs (Washington) • Florida Gaming Control Commission, in cooperation with Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs • Indiana Horse Racing Commission • Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission • Kentucky Horse Racing Commission • Maryland Racing Commission • Minnesota Racing Commission • New Mexico Racing Commission, in cooperation with Ruidoso Downs • New York Racing Association (except Post-Race testing) • Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission For the following states and/or racetracks, HIWU has either contracted directly with existing personnel or has hired its own sample collection personnel to implement the ADMC Program. There is, therefore, no signed voluntary agreement with the following entities: • Arizona Department of Gaming (Division of Racing) • Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack • Illinois Racing Board • New Jersey Racing Commission • New York Gaming Commission • Ohio State Racing Commission Laboratories must be accredited by the RMTC to be eligible to conduct testing as part of HISA’s ADMC Program and must meet additional criteria determined by HIWU. HIWU has entered into contracts with the following laboratories to analyze samples collected under the ADMC Program: • Analytical Toxicology Laboratory (Ohio Department of Agriculture) • Animal Forensic Toxicology Laboratory (University of Illinois-Chicago) • Industrial Laboratories • Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (University of California, Davis) • Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory • University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Lab accreditation will eventually transition to the HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory standards, which will not take effect before 2024. 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. HIWU oversees testing, educating stakeholders on the program, laboratory accreditation, investigation of potential violations, and prosecution of any such violations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org. Contact: Alexa Ravit, Director of Communications & Outreach (816) 516-9572  aravit@hiwu.org 

HISA Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program to Relaunch May 22, 2023, Under Enforcement of HIWU

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