Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association on Monday released a statement on the organization's position on the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) power to suspend live racing. Recently a HISA offial indicated the regulatory body is considering a rule to allow it to shut down racetracks even without any welfare and safety violations.
“The National HBPA supports a robust investigation of the tragic deaths at Churchill Downs,” Hamelback said. “But at this point, no one has found any evidence of rules violations by Churchill Downs. The Authority is using this crisis as cover for a massive power grab, to confer upon itself the ability to shut down racetracks even when they are not violating any rules. Not only does a shutdown order stop the racetrack from operating, but it also affects all of the trainers and owners who were scheduled to run horses at that track. The idea that one private corporation can use government power to shut down another private company is without question unconstitutional.”
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