The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s board of directors announced Monday a policy change regarding the anti-doping and medication control program and the
imposition of provisional suspensions of covered persons. Under the change, HISA’s board has requested that the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit limit the circumstances under which they exercise their discretion to impose a provisional suspension on covered persons. This policy change took effect immediately.

The change followed a resolution proposed by HISA’s horsemen’s advisory group, which was also supported by the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.

The HISA Board determined that further analysis and review on the issue of provisional suspensions is necessary to determine whether any modifications to the current rules are appropriate. While this review takes place, the HISA Board requests that HIWU impose provisional suspensions only under circumstances where a covered person has more than one horse test positive for the same banned substance, a barn search leads to the discovery of the same banned substance for which the covered person is being charged under the ADMC program, and/or the alleged violation presents a substantial risk to the integrity of racing and/or the welfare of horses. Consequently, all provisional suspensions that do not fall within any of these defined categories will be lifted Monday.

The lifting of the provisional suspension is not a stay of the equine anti-doping ntice or charge orthe ADMC program proceedings with respect to the matter, with the exception of presence cases for metformin. HIWU plans to move forward with these matters under the applicable ADMC program rules.