Lisa Lazarus

Dear Thoroughbred racing participants, HISA's most important mission is to protect the health and wellbeing of the horses participating in Thoroughbred racing. Over the past few months, the challenges of that mission--and the critical importance of it--have never been more apparent. The events at Churchill Downs, Laurel Park and Saratoga Race Course this spring and summer were a sobering reminder that we must further prioritize creating a culture of safety and an ecosystem of care that takes into account all factors contributing to equine fatalities. And it is the responsibility...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has named Anjali Salooja Director of Operations and Compliance, the organization said in a release Thursday. Salooja will oversee all compliance systems and procedures for the organization, ensuring HISA remains compliant with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act at all times. She will also provide daily operational and long-term planning support for new initiatives designed to promote equine and jockey health and safety. "We couldn't be more pleased to welcome someone of Anjali's talent and experience to HISA," said CEO Lisa Lazarus. "Her...

Effective immediately, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) have named Alan Foreman, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Associations, Inc. (THA), as ombudsman on behalf of HISA's rules, with a primary focus on the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, both organizations released in a joint statement Wednesday. As the national ombudsman, which is modeled after the World Anti-Doping Agency's Ombuds Program, Foreman's responsibilities include: Serving as an impartial and unbiased resource for Covered Persons and other Thoroughbred...

Edited Press Release A new Track Surface Advisory Group, comprised of members who will be deployed by HISA to analyze dirt, turf and synthetic surface consistency at Thoroughbred racetracks across the U.S., was formed Thursday. "This Group is crucial to ensuring that HISA can support local experts working to make the surfaces on which Thoroughbreds compete as safe as possible," said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. "HISA is committed to using all resources at its disposal to help tracks under our jurisdiction meet our Racetrack Safety standards. This group of track...

The second annual Horse Racing Women's Summit, to be held Sept. 27-29 at Santa Anita, will include three panel discussions, morning and luncheon keynotes and a Friday morning workshop. Zoe Cadman, XBTV and 1/ST RACING Host and Analyst, will serve as the emcee for the event, which will kick off with a keynote from Reagan Cannon, an international leadership speaker and coach. Following the morning keynote, leaders at the front line of industry change will gather for a discussion on the State of the Industry, moderated by Millie Ball, XBTV...

Editor's note: This is the latest in a series in the TDN to help industry members better understand the procedures under the new HISA and HIWU regulations. TDN: Please explain the rules on what happens during a Provisional Suspension. Are my employees still allowed to care for my horses? Can my assistant trainer be in charge? Or do I have to have them moved to an entirely new barn with new help? HISA:It is true that there have been some changes in the procedures surrounding a Provisional Suspension, along with...

HISA released a request for proposals concerning research over the administration of furosemide to Thoroughbred racehorses during the 48-hour period before the start of a race, the organization said in a release late Tuesday. This research is required as part of HISA's Congressional mandate. The conclusions will be used to guide HISA's Furosemide Advisory Committee in its recommendations to their Board on the next course of action regarding the administration of the drug. Responses are due by Nov. 15 at 11:59 pm (ET). Questions pertaining to the process for submitting...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has released its proposed budget for 2024, totaling $80.96 million, including $38.7 million earmarked for the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), the drug testing arm of the federal program. The total fee assessments for the states and racetracks come out to $78.5 million, but available credits potentially bring that number down to $59.8 million. HISA's 2023 total budget was initially set at $72.5 million. That number was subsequently revised down to $66.4 million earlier this year. The proposed 2024 budget was issued...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) will host a Town Hall webinar Sept. 7 at 12:30 p.m. ET to address questions about the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. It will be the first webinar in an anticipated series to connect industry participants with HISA leadership. Both HISA and the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) leadership will be on hand during the webinar to provide clarity on the ADMC Program's rules, regulations, processes, and procedures. The webinar is open to anyone in racing. Registration is now open and...

Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lazarus and Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) Executive Director Ben Mosier released a statement late Tuesday to address the rights of Thoroughbred owners under HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The statement appears below in its entirety: "In response to recently published misinformation regarding owners' rights under the HISA Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, HISA and HIWU are compelled to again set the facts straight and reiterate our commitment to due process under HISA regulations. "Following an...

by Dr. Sara Langsam After having read Dr. Thomas Little's Open Letter to the Industry regarding HISA, I thought it was important to share a different voice and perspective. For the last 20 years, I have practiced as a private racetrack practitioner with one of the largest racetrack veterinary practices in the country. I agree with Dr. Little that private veterinary practitioners are a critical component of making sure horses are ready and sound for racing. However, I disagree with his views on HISA and its relationships with private practitioners....

Editor's Note: This week, we start a series in the TDN where we attempt to clarify a HISA regulation that has been the subject of confusion in the early days of the rollout. This week, we discuss the test barn, where we have received letters to the editor saying that sample collection personnel may not be practicing proper hygiene, nor wearing gloves. What do the rules say, and what should you do if you observe this? HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus answers us below. Sample collection procedure requirements in the test...