Columbus, OH – The primary focus in our industry for many years has been the strict regulation of therapeutic and permissive medications. The real issue, that we faced then and still today, is the need to eliminate the usage of performance enhancing drugs (PEDS) and blood doping agents. While the need to monitor the proper administration of therapeutics is indeed relevant and necessary, we should treat both concerns as equally important. It is safe to say, the current emphasis is not one and the same”, said Ontario Harness Horse Association President Jim Whelan.

The North American Harness Horsemen’s Alliance (NAHHA) at a meeting held on Feb. 18 endorsed support of the United States Trotting Association’s and some of NAAHA’s member association and the Pennsylvania horsemen to encourage all horsemen’s associations to join in this research effort into better PED and blood doping agent detection methodologies.
The research project is being commissioned via the Sports Research & Testing Laboratory (SMRTL), which is one of two United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) labs that researches and conducts testing in human sports for the World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA). SMRTL will, for the first time, extend its existing specific research on performance enhancing drugs in humans, to equines.

“The NAHHA is proud to join the USTA and to do its part to support this important initiative in equine research” said Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association’s Executive Director Renée Mancino.

A partnership with USADA was the highly touted adjunct that the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Committee was unsuccessful in associating with for the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) medication and testing program. SMRTL is the testing laboratory doing the actual testing for USADA and is itself recognized as a leader in testing protocols for PEDS and blood doping in humans but has never been engaged in the racing arena.

New Jersey Standardbred Breeders and Owners President Mark Ford stated, “Our industry will be the beneficiary of research already capable of detecting PEDS in humans, making our capabilities more extensive. Our ask is that all our horsemen’s associations pledge a monetary amount that each can afford to this and future efforts in this critical area to provide a more level playing field for one and all.”

The Equine research program will seek legally defensible extraction methodologies for a variety of modified EPO Biosimilars. This work, Joe Faraldo President of The New York Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association and Chair of the Harness Racing Medication Alliance said, “is promised within three to six months after the first samples are made available for analysis.” The work will be done at the SMRTL lab in Jordan, Utah by Daniel Eichner, (PHD), President of SMRTL and his associates Geoffrey D. Miller (PHD) and Chad Moore (PHD).

The NAAHA applauds this project and urges all associations to embrace the effort and pledge support to ensure its success.