CHRB, Incompass Working to Automate Breeze, Vet Records

The California Horse Racing Board issued a release Oct. 17 saying it is working with InCompass Solutions to create an automated system that will correlate official workouts at California racetracks and training facilities with confidential veterinary submissions.

The action is meant to verify compliance of CHRB Rule 1878, which partially states that "a horse shall not be permitted to work out (unless) the horse has been examined by the trainer's attending veterinarian during the seventy-two (72) hours immediately preceding the workout for the express purpose of evaluating the horse's fitness to work out."  The evaluation then is to be recorded in a veterinarian report.

The need for regular compliance verification from the CHRB came to light this past week after a complaint became public citing trainer Dan Blacker for 527 violations related to not scheduling a veterinary exam per CHRB rules 72 hours or less before a workout. This was from 789 works of Blacker-trained horses from Jan. 1, 2022, through July 1 of this year, according to a CHRB audit.

The alleged violations were detected after Animae, an unraced 2-year-old filly, experienced a fatal breakdown for Blacker while training July 1. It was the trainer's only equine fatality in CHRB online records dating to 2020.

"Subsequently I learned that our long-established procedures, while complying with Santa Anita workout rules, were not always in line with the California Horse Racing Board rule regarding pre-work inspection and reporting," Blacker said in a portion of a statement posted on social media Oct. 14. "As soon as I was made aware, we immediately began to operate in compliance with the rule.

"I take full responsibility for this matter and the consequences it will bring forth."

In addition to Blacker's infractions, the alleged violations cast doubt on the CHRB's ability to enforce some of its regulations. The CHRB has been ambitious in implementing expanded equine safety regulations.

CHRB equine medical director Dr. Jeff Blea told the Los Angeles Times: "It's just a matter of not having the resources to monitor all of this," noting the high volume of workouts at a California racetrack such as Santa Anita Park.

He added: "There is somewhat of an honor system that the trainers know the rules and follow them. Then if there is an injury or fatality, our investigators will look to see if there are any other rules violations. In addition, workouts are audited on a random basis, based on intelligence or workout patterns that look odd or suspicious."

The complaint against Blacker has not been adjudicated. A hearing in the case was scheduled last week but was postponed. 

According to the CHRB, daily workout reports and veterinary confidentials are in separate databases. Currently, CHRB personnel must go through those databases manually to determine whether a horse had been examined before exercising. The regulator believes an integrated system with InCompass will streamline that process and ensure greater compliance.

InCompass, formed by The Jockey Club in 2001, is a technology software provider for North American racetracks and simulcast facilities, assisting racing offices, horsemen's bookkeepers, and other track operations.

"The CHRB is fully committed to constantly improving animal welfare, which is the point of Rule 1878," CHRB executive director Scott Chaney said in the CHRB release. "Like many of our regulations, this particular one is trailblazing. As we endeavor to perfect the process, we encourage other regulatory bodies to consider adopting similar protections."

(Editor's note: BloodHorse is a partnership between The Jockey Club Information Systems and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.)