Horse racing industry backs New Mexico reforms

The horse racing industry Wednesday lined up behind a proposal to adopt tougher oversight and penalties at New Mexico's tracks, which were recently identified as having the worst safety record in the nation. Horse and track owners and a jockey's union were among those who spoke in support of a New Mexico Racing Commission proposal to adopt model regulations developed by the Association of Racing Commissioners International. No one spoke against the reforms. The meeting Wednesday focused on penalties and restrictions for the illegal doping of horses, but Commission Chairman Rob Doughty said it is just " the first step in a long series of reforms" the commission would like to make "to send a message that the state of New Mexico does not allow cheaters." Although the commission said it wants to join ARCI and move toward more uniform, consistent national standards, it is initially focused on penalties for illegal doping under the ARCI rules. One key change is that horse owners could for the first time be held responsible for the actions of trainers. Also under the proposed rules, violations by trainers and owners in other states could be considered under rules that set penalties based on the number of previous offenses...more