We are trying to increase field sizes, yet at the same time, we are restricting the number of horses a trainer can enter based on the total number of entries received for a particular condition. This seems counterproductive to our goal of maximizing field sizes and creating more competitive races.
No commentsThe current rule is outdated and no longer reflects the realities of today’s horse racing industry.
The current Horse Racing Alberta rules governing Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) certification do not establish a mandatory stand-down period for horses newly placed on the EIPH certified list.
This proposal seeks to introduce a mandatory ten (10) clear-day stand-down period commencing on the date of official placement on the EIPH certified list. During this period, the horse would be ineligible to participate in qualifying races or pari-mutuel races.
The current Standardbred rules do not establish a sufficiently clear and consistent requirement for a horse to requalify following an unsatisfactory performance in a pari-mutuel race.
This proposal addresses two specific circumstances on a fast track: (1) a horse finishing more than 35 lengths behind the winner; and (2) a horse failing to meet the applicable qualifying time. The proposal also recommends tightening the existing Standardbred qualifying times by one second while retaining the existing additional one-second allowance for maidens.
The cannabis threshold for testing industry participants is a touch too high. At only 5 nQ/ml, this can trigger a positive for someone who has smoked marijuana the night before, or even as far out as 72 hours if they are a regular user, but isn't still under the influence the next day. This means that someone can face the loss of income, and suspensions even if they were not intoxicated for their drives on that card. This can create damaging financial and mental consequences for these participants. As a result, this extremely low tolerance for cannabis usage (which relative to other compounds is much safer for the body) can lead participants to self-medicate using prescription pills or alcohol which are much easier to pass on our screening tests given their higher thresholds and quicker exit through the body but which are more damaging to the industry participants and their long-term health.
