2001 U of A RTIP Racing Symposium 12/5/2001

The Reality of Perception This was a 2-1/2 hr session divided into two parts. Part I was billed as "Speakers present the outcomes of current medication studies and summits. Topics range from laboratory quality assurance issues to permitted race day medications", while Part II was "Panelists then evaluate those results given the day-to-day realities of conducting racing". Well, sort of. I arrived at Part I just a bit late thanks to the always cantankerous Captain Travelalarm, and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith was saying something about what happened yesterday in the secret AAEP sessions. What I picked up here was they really did intend to do something and move forward and stuff like that. Next presenter was Dr. Scot Waterman of the NTRA Drug Testing Task Force, and he gave an update on the NTRA supertesting program. He said all the results are STILL not in on this thing, and that the final really this time results would be available in January 2002. He suggested more ELISA testing, and also discussed some surveys sent to the various racing jurisdictions about their current (ELISA?) testing habits which revealed that 2/3 of the jurisdictions were below a 30 test threshold. Current ELISA testing has 143 different test kits available that could conceivably detect up to 300 different drugs in screening. 29 of 30 responding jurisdictions relied on TLC screening, which has some sensitivity problems. Following that was a discussion of survey done by U of A RTIP students, sent to vets, owners, and trainers, regarding the drug testing issue(s). It went by in warp speed, so it was hard to tell what was being said. Slow down, kids. Some of us just got up. Vets felt uniform policies were needed, testing should focus on non-therapeutic drugs, and that current testing is too sensitive. Trainers want uniformity. They want additional raceday drugs. 70% feel meds are a problem but only 13% feel it is a severe problem. They also feel testing should focus on the performance enhancers rather than the therapeutics. About 1/2 feel current rules deter people from cheating and ensure a level playing field. Owners just did not have a clue. They don't feel there is a level playing field, and less than 1/2 feel that the current rules deter people from cheating. 78% see meds as a problem, and 90% see these problems as moderate to severe. To their credit, owners also support uniformity. Following that, and a coffee break, we got a panel discussion chaired by Steven Crist of DRF. He asked questions of the various panelists, more or less based on what went on in Part I, and sometimes they answered the question Mr. Crist asked. In response to "do you agree with the perception that the problems are moderate to severe?", trainer Tom Amoss disagreed, saying he personally did not see the evidence, and that a lot of the negativity is due to, basically, jealousy and competition for owners. Thomas Bachman from the TOC opined that owners often only see the vet bills and more communication is needed between trainers and owners. (Note: I worked at "The Big Co." I know what the phrase "more communication" really means.) Dr. Thomas Brokken, an East Cost vet, answered a question about only 50% of vets feeling the rules are uniform and protect the horse by saying it's difficult to always protect the interests of horses. It's often hard to decide which way to go on a horse given the pressures to win. To the question "Why don't we have uniformity?", Michael Hoblock of the NY Racing and Wagering Board responded with a defense of New York's record on the testing and enforcement issues, and uttered one of the most honest assessments of the "uniformity" issue I heard all day: Does New York want to change? Do we go lower, or do others come up to us? Dick Mandella felt it was a level playing field - small trainers are held to same standards as large. Dr. Gary Norwood, a vet from Louisiana, felt testing must fit the rules and you need to know those rules, in response to a question about a possible disconnect bewteen testing and the rules. Finally, Alex Waldrop of CD was aked if the medication issues interfere with a track's ability to attract and retain customers. He responded that integrity is indeed a racetrack issue, and integrity and betting are important issues. Mr. Waldrop also supported uniformity. Following Mr. Crist's questions was an open Q&A session with the audience, and this was quite enlightening. Some tidbits: Hoblock: Cheating can never be eliminated, but can be minimized. Norwood: Sometimes people turn to "designer" drugs because no adequate alternatives. Bachman: Drugs, even therapeutic, create bad perceptions among young people. Amoss and Mandella: Just do not see all the "designer" drugs that people keep talking about. etc etc - many other good questions and answers, but I am tired of typing and have to get to bed soon so I can get up in time to go get that free breakfast tomorrow. Good night.