04/17/2014 4:19PM
Stronach makes medication reforms the No. 1 priority at his tracks
By Matt Hegarty
The tracks owned by the Stronach Group, a roster that includes Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, Golden Gate, Laurel, and Pimlico, will seek to put in place house rules that would require owners to release their vet records to track officials and that would establish ontrack pharmacies controlling all medications administered to horses, the owner of the company, Frank Stronach, said in a statement Wednesday.
The proposal, which also included support for a set of uniform rules governing medication administrations and penalties, faces a number of logistical and legal hurdles. Stronach Group officials said Thursday that many of the restrictions would be imposed as house rules, which can be difficult to enforce legally if the rules run up against state or federal legal protections.
Tim Ritvo, general manager of Gulfstream Park, said that establishing the house rules is “the number one priority” for the company. The company is immediately seeking to hire an “equine health and safety director” to establish and implement the policies for its tracks, Ritvo said, with the director answering to a committee comprised of horse owners, trainers, and veterinarians. The members of the committee have yet to be identified.
“We’re moving as fast as we can go,” Ritvo said. “It’s a huge issue for us. We think this can bring integrity to the sport.”
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The proposal, which also included support for a set of uniform rules governing medication administrations and penalties, faces a number of logistical and legal hurdles. Stronach Group officials said Thursday that many of the restrictions would be imposed as house rules, which can be difficult to enforce legally if the rules run up against state or federal legal protections.
Tim Ritvo, general manager of Gulfstream Park, said that establishing the house rules is “the number one priority” for the company. The company is immediately seeking to hire an “equine health and safety director” to establish and implement the policies for its tracks, Ritvo said, with the director answering to a committee comprised of horse owners, trainers, and veterinarians. The members of the committee have yet to be identified.
“We’re moving as fast as we can go,” Ritvo said. “It’s a huge issue for us. We think this can bring integrity to the sport.”
continue to read here
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