Columbus, OH – According to a story in BloodHorse, “The United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that legal challenges to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act have little likelihood of success.”
In the report, Dick Downey wrote, “The court’s opinion, handed down Sept. 20, upheld a lower court order denying a preliminary injunction motion filed by the Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Bill Walmsley, and Jon Moss. In that motion, they sought to shut down HISA operations in their jurisdiction.”
However, one of the judges agreed with the ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that HISA’s enforcement rules are unconstitutional.
“In the opinion released today, Judge Raymond W. Gruender dissented in part, arguing that HISA’s enforcement powers are unconstitutional. His view mirrors a ruling by a unanimous three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. However, the Eighth Circuit majority ruling on the enforcement issue is in lockstep with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
“The ruling marks the third time that a federal court of appeals has considered the constitutionality of HISA, with agreement that HISA’s oversight of racing is constitutional but varying results on HISA’s enforcement powers.”
To read the complete story in BloodHorse, click here.