from the Association of Racing Commissioners International

Seattle, WA — The Association of Racing Commissioners International concluded a two-day regulator training program today. The program, which took place at Emerald Downs and the Seattle Thompson Hotel, covered every aspect of racing regulation.

The program is an effort by the ARCI to ensure that racing commissioners and regulatory staff understand what has been described as “the many moving parts of the sport of horse racing.”

Regulatory jurisdictions in Canada, the Caribbean, and the US sent regulators to participate in the training, which is offered periodically by the ARCI.

Regulators participated in sessions that dealt with drug testing, pre-race veterinary examinations, the role of various track level officials, rule makings, ethics and conflict of interest matters, tote system operations, licensing, transparency, statutory limits on jurisdiction and the conduct of hearings.

In addition, ARCI Chair Judy Wagner, who is also the horse player representative on the Board of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, spoke to the group about the importance of the horse players and urged regulators to always consider the fact that the horse players ultimately will determine the success or failure of the sport.

“The players want to be able to trust that they are participating in an honest, fair game,” she noted.

ARCI President Ed Martin indicated that he would like to expand the regulator training program and indicated that the association would consider invitations from racing jurisdictions to schedule training sessions for their commission members and staff at racetracks within their locale.

Martin said the following organizations were instrumental in making presentations during the training program: The Washington State Racing Commission, Emerald Downs, the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, and the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau.