The Friday Show Presented By Walmac Farm’s Pinehurst: Lisa Lazarus On What To Expect Under HISA Medication Policy

Monday, March 27, is the anticipated date for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority to take over from state racing commissions the regulatory oversight of Thoroughbred racing's medication rules, drug testing, and enforcement – pending the approval of the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC is designated by federal law to oversee HISA's activities.

If FTC approval comes on that date, as expected, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (a division of Drug Free Sport International, which manages drug testing for professional sports leagues) will begin administering the rules for HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) program.

Lisa Lazarus, the chief executive officer of HISA, joins Ray Paulick and bloodstock editor Joe Nevills in this week's edition of the Friday Show to preview what can be expected under the HISA/HIWU programs.

Lazarus indicates that there will be a shift toward more intelligence-based out-of-competition testing, and that uniform rules and harmonized laboratories will be a great benefit to trainers. Also of importance to horsepeople, Lazarus said, will be a first-of-its-kind “atypical findings policy” that will identify obvious contaminations and review them for possible dismissal before they reach the adjudication stage.

There are other changes, including implementation of a paperless collection system in the test barn and an adjudication process that she said will be swift and neutral compared to existing programs in most states.

Watch this week's episode of the Friday Show below: