Former Racing Regulators Named to ARCI Panel

Bennett Liebman | Mike Kane photo

Judy Wagner, the chair of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) has announced the appointment of a trio of well-respected former racing regulators–Steve Barham (Oregon), Bennett Liebman (New York) and Allan Monat (Illinois)–to comprise an independent panel ARCI has formed to certify the compliance with certain key integrity standards. Wagner noted that none of the appointees has any conflict of interest with racing or regulatory agencies.

Barham is a former executive director of the Oregon Racing Commission who later taught animal science and racing law and enforcement at the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program. He also helped manage the ARCI model rules process. Liebman has served as racing advisor to two governors in the state of New York and is a longtime member of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board (now Gaming Commission) and as coordinator of the Equine Law Project of Albany Law School's Government Law Center. Monat is a former jockey and member of the Illinois Racing Commission, where he was known for his independence.

The panel is tasked with reporting at the annual ARCI meeting whether jurisdictions are “compliant,” “substantially compliant,” or “non-compliant” with select integrity standards as stated in the ARCI Model Rules. These standards may be expanded in subsequent years based on the panel's recommendations.

For 2017, the standards are linked to four ARCI Model Rules that are often referred to as the National Uniform Medication Program (NUMP). These include implementation of the ARCI/RMTC Controlled Therapeutic Schedule; use of an RMTC accredited testing laboratory; adoption of the multi-medication rule violation point system; and the independent administration of race day furosemide for those trainers/owners opting to use it.

Ed Martin, president of ARCI, reported that some regulators and industry entities have expressed a desire for a formal certification program in an effort to decide whether races imported via simulcasting are being conducted under integrity regulatory standards. Martin emphasized that the ARCI will maintain a neutral stance as it relates to the approval of simulcasting signals.

“That is up to the tracks, ADWs, OTBs, the local horseman's group, and the appropriate regulator, to make such decisions individually,” he explained. “All the ARCI will do is provide information for others to assess what weight to give it in making decisions affecting their customers or constituents.”

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