Ohio Begins Examination of Medication Rules

Blood-Horse

As part of an examination of its equine medication rules, the Ohio State Racing Commission in February will begin hearing from various industry organizations involved in an effort to adopt uniform policies for all jurisdictions.

The OSRC said Ed Martin, president of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, and Dr. Dionne Benson, executive director of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, are scheduled to speak at its next meeting Feb. 25.

Representatives of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Ohio HBPA, The Jockey Club, United States Trotting Association, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, and veterinary groups will be invited to speak at subsequent meetings.

The uniform schedule for administration and withdrawal times for about 25 therapeutic medications is under discussion in Ohio, according to the RMTC.

Meanwhile, the OSRC Jan. 21 awarded quarterly payments to the racing and breeding industry from tax on gross revenue at the state’s four non-racetrack casinos.

The Ohio Thoroughbred Race Fund and Ohio Standardbred Development Fund will each receive $363,878. Purses at the state’s three Thoroughbred tracks will get a total of $249,081, while four harness tracks will share $919,158. The distributions are based on number of live racing days in 2013.

The casino revenue is in addition to proceeds that go to purses from video lottery terminals at Ohio racetracks. The Ohio HBPA and OHHA negotiate those percentages with each racetrack.

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