by Kimberly A. Rinker, for the Ohio State Racing Commission

Columbus, OH — The Ohio State Racing Commission’s monthly meeting will be held Tuesday (May 19) at 10 a.m. at 77 South High Street, 19th Floor, Room 1932, Columbus, Ohio.

The agenda includes updates on the progress of cobalt research and a presentation by the Analytical Toxicology Laboratory concerning its 2014 annual report. As well, updates on the status of agreements being negotiated by the permit holders of Belterra Park and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and horsemen will be given.

Northfield Park is also requesting a live race card on July 2 that will make up a date that was cancelled this past winter due to inclement weather.

The next OSRC meeting will be on Tuesday (June 23) at 10 a.m. at 77 South High Street, 31st Floor, Room East B, Columbus, Ohio.

As part of the June 23 agenda, the OSRC will listen to presentations from scientists and chemists regarding medication thresholds. This will be the fourth in a series of meetings the OSRC began earlier this year concerning the development of model medication rules based on scientific and fact-based analysis.

At the February OSRC meeting, Edward J. Martin, President of the Association of Racing Commissioners International and Dr. Dionne Benson, Executive Director for the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, expressed their opinions on current research methodology and passage of model medication rules.

At the March OSRC meeting, six Ohio personalities expounded on these same issues, including Phil Langley and Mike Tanner, representing the United States Trotting Association; Dave Basler, Executive Director of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and Thoroughbred trainer William Cowans; along with Standardbred conditioner Virgil Morgan Jr. and Renee Mancino, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Executive Director.

At the April OSRC meeting five veterinarians presented their views regarding medication protocols for both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industries, including Dr. John Reichert, partner/practitioner at the Woodland Run Equine Clinic, Grove City; Dr. Dan Wilson, partner/practitioner at the Cleveland Equine Clinic; Dr. John Piehowicz, practitioner/owner at Cincinnati Equine, LLC; Dr. Brett Berthold, owner/practitioner at the Cleveland Equine Clinic; and Dr. Clara Fenger, a founding member of North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians and a practitioner in central Kentucky.

All OSRC monthly meetings are open to the public and horsemen are encouraged to attend.