Equine Fatality Rate Drops in Mid-Atlantic Racing

Officials involved in the Mid-Atlantic Strategic Plan to Reduce Equine Fatalities announced decreased catastrophic breakdowns this year in that region during a conference call with reporters Nov. 11.

The plan, a collaboration between racetracks, regulators, industry groups, and other stakeholders in the Mid-Atlantic, seeks to improve equine safety using evidence-based best practices in a collaborative multi-jurisdiction program. Recommendations include increased veterinary oversight, medication restrictions, and rule changes.

Alan Foreman, chairman of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and Dr. Scott Palmer, equine medical director for the New York State Gaming Commission, head the project with Andy Belfiore, strategic plan project manager.

According to Palmer, the rate of fatalities per 1,000 starts dropped significantly in the area from an average of 2.4 from 2010-14 to 1.8 from 2015-19. This year, it is at an incidence rate of 1.21—far better than the national average. That translates to 99.9% of starts in the Mid-Atlantic this year run without a fatality.

"Whatever you're trying to do in an organization, that's a pretty good track record. Not that we're satisfied with that," Palmer said. "But I think it's important to keep that perspective."

Palmer said all but two Mid-Atlantic states, New York and Virginia, have shown declines in fatalities this year. He indicated fatalities at Finger Lakes have diminished, while their incidence has grown at New York Racing Association tracks, likely from a spike during the summer at Saratoga Race Course. The NYRA fatality rate increased from 1.19 per 1,000 starts in 2019 to 1.58 through the first 10 months of 2020, he said.

Juveniles uncharacteristically accounted for 60% of the catastrophic injuries at Saratoga this summer, he said, leading him to believe that diminished racing and training caused by COVID-19 shutdowns this spring may have contributed. Active training is widely believed to strengthen bone development in 2-year-olds, and horses that race at 2 are statistically sounder.

On a whole, safety improved in the region, as did compliance.

"It is heartening to see that the commitment and hard work of so many in the Mid-Atlantic is bearing fruit," Foreman said. "We have representatives from every faction of the Thoroughbred industry in the region at the table. Everyone has the chance to be heard and their specific issues considered. We are proud to say that, working together, we have been able to make significant advances on issues of medication reform and horse health."

According to officials, every state in the Mid-Atlantic has adopted the following reforms:

• A prohibition on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug "stacking" — the use of more than one NSAID the week of a race
• Transfer of joint injection records for claimed horses
• Necropsies on equine fatalities
• Mortality review board
• Voidable claim rules

Additional reforms have been implemented in all states except West Virginia, including:

• 48-hour withdrawal time for NSAIDs
• Enhanced penalties for NSAID overages
• 14-day withdrawal for joint injections

The West Virginia Racing Commission considered legislation to adopt the new guidelines for NSAIDs and joint injections, but it ultimately was voted down by the commission.

"We are disappointed that West Virginia remains an outlier in this area," Foreman said. "Regulatory changes in the state must go through the legislature, which takes time, but we will continue to work with all parties to get this done."

Despite West Virginia not adopting all reforms, catastrophic injuries in the state dropped this year at its tracks, Mountaineer Park and Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Palmer said.

More proactive steps have taken place this year in the Mid-Atlantic, including a prohibition on bisphosphonates in all horses under the age of 4, and limitations on the use of thyroid supplements and clenbuterol. Continued education for trainers has also been proposed.

Plan officials have called for uniformity with regard to restrictions on the use of the riding crop, though one state within its region, New Jersey, opted to ban the crop beginning in 2021 except for safety. That rule is under appeal, facing a legal challenge.

Foreman said their riding crop proposal calls for no more than six strikes, and that a horse should not be struck more than twice in succession without a chance to respond. The crop would be used in an underhanded motion until the final quarter-mile of the race.

Officials said one area where more progress could be made to reduce fatalities is during training, citing California's success in this area, but that expanding veterinary inspection and other financial costs would present challenges. There are also a number of training centers in the region.