RMTC APPROVES RESEARCH PROJECTS, FINALIZES PENALTY RECOMMENDATIONS

The Board of Directors of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) approved five research projects for 2005, finalized recommendations on uniform penalties, expanded backstretch security programs and reviewed the adoption of the RMTC recommended uniform medication rules during an eight-hour meeting on Tuesday, June 28th at the O’Hare Wyndham Hotel in Chicago, IL.

The board also announced that The Hambletonian Society, a non-profit organization that sponsors The Hambletonian® at The Meadowlands and manages a 133 Standardbred stakes races at 45 harness tracks, was approved as the 26th member of the RMTC Board of Directors.

Among the highlights of Tuesday’s meeting (additional details):

• Five new research projects were approved for funding in 2005, including studies on adjunct bleeder medication and cone snail toxin. In addition, the Board agreed to coordinate and sponsor a workshop on proteomics. The RMTC is also in completing a survey on recommended testing procedures for alkaline loading with plans to conduct a “Milk Shaking” Summit later this summer.
• The Penalties Section of the RMTC Model Medication Policy was finalized for submission to the RCI/NAPRA Uniform Model Rules Committee for approval next month.
• New RMTC Board member, TRPB President Frank Fabian, provided an in-depth review of the ‘Big Event Team” (BET) security force that provided increased surveillance at this year’s Triple Crown races.
• The RMTC also approved a funding formula for 2006 and beyond when the interim three years of $2.5 million of bridge finding from RMTC member organizations expires.
• The RMTC Board also approved a Steering Committee consisting of the officers and five additional board members to provide direction and coordination of RMTC programs between meetings of the Board.

An audit of RMTC financial statement and practices was presented by Dean, Dorton & Ford of Lexington, Kentucky. A final 2005 operating budget and three-year business plan (with financial projections and tentative budgets for 2006-2007) were also approved.

The next meeting of the RMTC Board is scheduled for mid-October in Lexington.

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, consisting of numerous entities and racing organizations, was formed to develop, promote and coordinate, at the national level, policies, research, and educational programs which seek to ensure the fairness and integrity of racing and the health and welfare of racehorses and participants, and protect the interests of the betting public.

For additional information:

Dr. Scot Waterman, Executive Director, RMTC: (859) 422-2675
Dan Fick, Chairman, RMTC: (859) 224-2708