HISA CEO Lazarus Meets With Iowa Stakeholders

Lisa Lazarus, CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, met with Iowa's horse-racing stakeholders at Prairie Meadows Oct. 27, according to a release from the Iowa Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. Iowa seven-term U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley opened the meeting.

Appearing with Lazarus was Marc Guilfoil, the former executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and now HISA's director for state racing commission relations. Lazarus and Guilfoil similarly met with the Kentucky Farm Managers Club at Fasig-Tipton Oct. 25.

King: Lazarus, Guilfoil Discuss HISA With KY Farm Managers

Established when the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law in 2020, HISA is responsible for drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in U.S. Thoroughbred racing. HISA is comprised of two programs: the Racetrack Safety Program, which went into effect this summer, and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program, which begins early next year.

"The Iowa HBPA is grateful that Senator Grassley initiated this meeting at Prairie Meadows," said Iowa HBPA executive director Jon Moss, who moderated the session. "We heard from many constituents and are glad all the various components of the racing industry participated, expressed their views, pointed out the start-up issues, the continued issues regarding every facet of HISA at this point in time. And they look to see improvement.

"The takeaway is yet to be determined," Moss continued in a portion of his remarks. "We are very thankful that we are not racing Jan. 1 to see how the ADMC program shakes out. We have our continued concerns how horsemen are going to understand and completely change their training regimens and medication regimens to fully comply with the new rules that go into effect Jan. 1."

Senator Grassley emphasized transparency during the meeting, the Iowa HBPA release said.

Lazarus promised to call upon its recently appointed Horsemen's Advisory Group to provide feedback to HISA executives and its committees on the implementation and evolution of HISA regulation. The Horsemen's Advisory Group will meet on a monthly basis beginning in November.

Among the topics discussed Thursday was HISA's funding. The Iowa racing industry's cost is $1 million out of HISA's 2023 budget of more than $72.5 million. 

Lazarus has defended the cost of the HISA program, saying she believes utilizing existing infrastructure will reduce expenses to a degree. 

Some are concerned that costs issued to tracks could get pushed on to horsemen and other industry participants.

"How can you be against integrity and safety? It's like mom, apple pie, and baseball. But I am concerned about the overall cost," said Dr. Daryl Olsen, a veterinarian and member of Iowa's racing commission, according to the release. "For Iowa, I'm struggling to see the advantage."

During the meeting, horsemen also raised inconsistencies between states in applying HISA rules, such as in regard to voided claims, and discussed medication issues, the release said. She expressed recognition that contamination issues can trigger a positive test, according to the Iowa HBPA.

"We are not trying to punish people for things they can't control, but we are trying to get cheaters out of racing. So the rules reflect that," she said.