Columbus, OH – Throughout its existence the US Trotting Association (“USTA”) has been central to harness racing’s efforts to ensure equine welfare and racing integrity. Beginning with its rules, which still serve as a model for racing regulators, the USTA has undertaken investigative projects, funded scientific medication research, and advocated for best regulatory practices nationally. Recently the USTA formed an alliance with the Standardbred Racing Investigative Fund (“SRIF”) to solve some of harness racing’s problems, including those that come from hidden ownership, which USTA’s rules prohibit. Some of SRIF’s results have been made public, and other investigations are under way. We expect SRIF’s work to lead to useful results in the related areas of “beard” trainers and doping.
Some matters, such as registration and breeding, are the province of the USTA and do not overlap with state racing commissions’ authority. Where matters do overlap with state authority, the USTA defers to the states. But the USTA is actively supportive of state regulatory activity, and we have an excellent relationship with the commissions. Several state racing commissions have taken an interest in our recent work and appropriate interaction between the USTA and the commissions will magnify its good effects. Collaboration between state actors, racetracks, and industry stakeholders, each with important roles to play in harness racing, is essential to safeguard and improve all facets of the Standardbred industry.
Outcry from the racing public has increased in the last few years. As the practices of a small but dangerous minority have come to light, our members’ outrage is understandable. The press and other media have rightly taken even more of an interest than in the past. On social media platforms, loud demands for immediate action have been made. The USTA hears and welcomes these and all other voices in our industry, especially when they are focused on the welfare of horses.
As stated above, investigations are under way. Results will follow. And the USTA has a duty to ensure that these results rest on a sound procedural and factual foundation. SRIF and the USTA are carrying out their work with the best strategic and investigative resources available. Trust that we have heard from our membership and are diligently addressing their concerns. Concerning resources, enough performance information has been developed to allow the major horsemen’s associations to judge whether to include SRIF as a line item in their annual budgets. We will be approaching these associations in the near future and asking them to do so.