Index Page

Your ten bucks for Drug testing. 

 Where has it gone?

 

The  SOA of NY  has learned that the $10 being taken from the horsemen's
share of earned purse money is being used for the NYSR&WB purposes and not
as we were led to believe for the purposes of enhanced drug testing. 

The total available from these funds is projected to be in excess of 1
million dollars from all NYS tracks and was promised as an extra effort to
secure a level playing field. To say we are more than disappointed is an
understatement.

Headlines | Posted 4/16/2009, 6:50 pm <javascript:PrintThisPage();>
javascript:PrintThisPage(); 


New York enacts testing fee


By David Grening 

As a result of recent legislation, New York state rules mandate that,
effective May 7, owners pay a $10 entry fee to run a horse at any track in
the state. The revenue will support the New York State Racing and Wagering
Board's drug-testing program.

"We see this as the fairest way to raise the funds it requires to enhance
our expanded integrity initiatives," said Joe Mahoney, spokesman for the
racing board. "As of the beginning of this year, new rules went into effect
greatly restricting the use of steroids in racing in New York. Our drug
testing lab at Cornell University is equipped to detect hundreds of
different substances.

"Given the profound economic difficulties facing this state and nation, we
were not at all inclined to seek this revenue from New York taxpayers,"
Mahoney added. "This nominal entry fee is a far better alternative.''

Rick Violette, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horseman's
Association, said horsemen on the New York Racing Association circuit have
already donated $500,000 for enhanced drug testing in the state. Violette
said this new rule will cost NYRA owners $220,000.

"We've been ahead of the curve without any prodding," Violette said. 
"We've
led the industry to have state-of-the-art testing for steroids. We thought
this was a bit piling on and wish it hadn't passed. It's penny-wise and
pound-foolish."

$10 STARTING FEE

One of the many new fees and taxes mandated as a result of new legislation in New York State is a $10 entry fee to race a horse at any track in the state.  The revenue raised by this new fee will be used to support the Racing & Wagering Board's new Drug Testing Program.  The rule goes into effect on May 7, 2009.

There is an approach being discussed which this Association is very much in favor as we feel it will greatly simplify what could be mass confusion.  The idea is to deduct the fee from purse checks earned.  Therefore, instead of having to continually pay $ 10.00 every time you enter a horse, the fee will be deducted from earnings.  For owners whose horse does not earn a check, the fee will be deducted from future earnings.

Any owner with an outstanding balance at the end of the month will be billed by the track.  The track will remit the total owed for all starters each month, and will have the responsibility to collect the outstanding balance.  This plan, or a similar variation, must of course, be approved by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.  

We will keep you updated as the information comes in.

QUALIFIERS WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY'S AT 11:00 A.M.

PLEASE ENTER BY 10:00 A.M. THURSDAY

ALL HORSES MUST HAVE A CLEAN LINE WITHIN 30 DAYS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RACE.

QUALIFYING TIMES: 

2:02 PACE

2:04 TROT

1 SECOND ALLOWED FOR 3 YEAR OLDS

2 SECONDS ALLOWED FOR 2 YEAR OLDS

Hello everyone and welcome to the site.

CONTRACT UPDATE 12-31-08 GO TO Archive.