Category: Ray Paulick

Texas Racing Commission Threatens To Shut Down Racing Over HISA Oversight

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by Ray Paulick

 

The Texas Racing Commission has said pari-mutuel wagering will not be conducted at Texas racetracks on live or simulcast wagering if the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority asserts control over regulatory supervision on July 1, 2022, as scheduled.

The Paulick Report obtained a copy of a May 20 letter to HISA chief executive officer Lisa Lazarus from Amy F. Cook, executive director of the Texas Racing Commission, in which Cook asked to be provided “specific dates, races, and horses that the Authority intends to regulate … within the jurisdiction of Texas.”

Cook cited the Texas Racing Act in stating that “no pari-mutuel wagering is permitted for live or simulcast export wagering for races our Commission does not supervise. Accordingly, there will be no such pari-mutuel wagering or simulcast wagering in Texas on those dates which the Authority asserts jurisdiction.”

 

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Horseracing Integrity And Safety Act Signed Into Law

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The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act is now law.

The legislation passed by the Senate on Dec. 21 that will put anti-doping/medication control and safety programs under the umbrella of one independent, non-governmental Authority, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was part of a 5,500-plus page, $2.3 trillion bipartisan government funding bill that included $900 billion in coronavirus relief extending unemployment benefits and providing up to $600 in cash payments to individuals. President Donald Trump, whose Treasury Department officials helped negotiate the package, had threatened to veto the bill, in part demanding that the $600 individual benefits be increased to $2,000.

On Sunday night, Trump signed the bill into law.

 

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Racist Comment By Kentucky Horseman Tom VanMeter Condemned

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The Thoroughbred industry’s two largest sales companies, Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton, swiftly condemned a racist post on social media by Kentucky horseman Tom VanMeter, but both companies stopped short of saying it would affect VanMeter’s ability to conduct future business at their auctions.

Three organizations, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, said they were disassociating themselves from VanMeter.

VanMeter, an owner and breeder who is a longtime consignor to both Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton, is the owner of VanMeter Sales and Stockplace Farm, birthplace of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

Two offensive comments on Facebook attributed to him began to circulate on Monday.

 

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Citing COVID-19 Concerns, Lone Star Park Halts Live Racing

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by | 07.05.2020

Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, abruptly cancelled Sunday’s live racing program after the day’s first race. An announcement on Twitter gave no indication when racing would resume.

“Due to an abundance of caution, all racing operations at Lone Star Park have been suspended due to COVID-19,” the statement said. “Racing will resume at a date to be determined.”

Officials at Lone Star Park could not be reached for further comment.

Multiple sources told the Paulick Report a positive test for COVID-19 has emerged involving an individual employed at the track who has regular contact with jockeys or their valets. An out-of-town rider who recently rode at Lone Star may also have tested positive after returning to his home track from Lone Star, a source said.

 

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