RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JUNE 25, 2016—Recent changes in New Mexico’s racing rules that could suspend a horse from racing for 60 days are strongly supported by Ruidoso Downs’ management.

“The foresight of the New Mexico Racing Commission is to be commended,” said Ruidoso Downs’ president and general manger Shaun Hubbard. “Their dedication and hard work places New Mexico at the forefront of the constant fight to protect the horses, jockeys and our patrons.”

According to the New Mexico Racing Commission: The new rule’s verbiage, written by NMRC Medical Director, Dr. Scot Waterman, will fall under section 15.2.6 D.5. of the New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC).

The teeth of the rule state that: Any horse that is subject of a positive test report from the official laboratory for a drug in one of the following categories shall be placed immediately on the stewards list;

1. Any drug categorized by the association of racing commissioner’s international “uniform classification guidelines for foreign substances and recommended penalties and model rule” incorporated by reference under NMAC 15.2.6.9 as a Penalty Class A substance
2. Any prohibited anabolic androgenic steroid or any anabolic androgenic steroid in excess of the permitted concentrations listed pursuant to NMAC 15.2.6.9
3. Clenbuterol or other beta-agonist drugs with significant anabolic effects that are not currently Penalty Class A drugs.
4. Other drugs designed to promote growth or muscle, including but not limited to growth hormones, somatotropins, insulin growth factors and gene modifying agents.
5. Cobalt in excess of allowable concentrations specified, pursuant to NMAC 15.2.6.9.

The new rule mandates that the horse stays on the stewards list for a minimum of 60 days. After the 60 days is up, the owner or trainer of the horse must present the horse to the test barn for the official veterinarian to obtain a blood sample for analysis. If the sample comes back positive for any of the prohibited substances previously mentioned, the horse shall remain on the stewards list for an additional 60 days. If the analysis comes back negative, the horse will be removed from the stewards list and be permitted to enter and run in races once again.

“I think it will stop some of the abuse we’ve had in New Mexico,” said New Mexico Racing Commission chairman Ray Willis. “It will get some of the horses off the track that have been abused and given an illegal substance. It will help protect jockeys and the betting public.”

This impact of this landmark change is echoed by NMRC executive director Ismael “Izzy” Trejo.

“First, it will help protect the horse from abuse by illegal substances. Second, it will help alleviate the program-trainer issue. Third, it will give the gambler more confidence in New Mexico racing,” said Trejo.

The changes have the widespread support of the New Mexico Horse Breeders Association, the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association and all track managements in New Mexico.

The new rules are in effect and will be enforced in both on-track and out-of-competition testing.

For complete Ruidoso Downs’ information, go to www.raceruidoso.com, visit the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino Facebook page and follow the Ruidoso Press Box (@RuiPressBox) on Twitter.