North Dakota Racing Adopts Uniform Medication Rules

At its April 25 meeting, the North Dakota Racing Commission provided approval to adopt the recently updated ARCI Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances and Recommended Penalties Version 7.00, ARCI Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule Version 2.1. The Commission had previously moved to adopt the prior versions of these ARCI rules at its February 28 meeting as well as approving the ARCI Multiple Medication Violation Penalty System and the ARCI Use and Administration of Bleeder Medications rules.

“While we are certainly not the largest live racing jurisdiction, the Commission and our horsemen are united in the understanding that it is the responsibility of every member of the racing industry to insure the welfare of our horse population” said Gunner laCour, Director of the North Dakota Racing Commission. “The Commission and the horsemen of North Dakota know that no matter the level of racing, the model medication rules are an integral part of creating a stronger racing industry in both our state and the country as a whole.”

The Commission will hold a public hearing on the rules in the near future after which all comments will be reviewed by the Commission. The final draft will then be presented to the North Dakota Attorney General's office for legal review and then to the Legislature's Administrative Rules Committee for final approval.

“It is my personal goal to have these rules approved as soon as possible. While we have adopted the rules through a variance process for the 2014 season, I intend to push for a permanent set of rules to be approved far in advance of next season.” stated Director laCour.