More Challenges. Complicated obstacles await HISA medication regulations due to start Jan. 1. By Clara Fenger, DVM, PHD, DACVIM; Peter J. Sacopulos, JD, Kimberly Brewer, DVM, MSC, Jacob Machin, MS; and Thomas Tobin, MRCVS, PHD, DABT The industry is bracing itself for a seismic shift in the regulation of medications in Thoroughbred racing as a major deadline quickly approaches. The long-awaited Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) standards for medication and anit-doping control as well as the adjudication process expected to be in effect January 1, 2023. HISA recently posted the ..read more

By Peter J. Sacopulos Recent lawsuits are shining a light on one of Thoroughbred racing’s ongoing problems: owners who do not pay their bills. Trainers often top the list of those who get stiffed. What can you do to protect your business and help ensure you are paid for your services? And what are your options when a client does not pay? A trainer’s dream Growing up on a farm in Indiana, Frank seemed to have been born with a knack for horses. By his mid-twenties, he had begun training Thoroughbreds and was looking for clients he could build a business on. Walter, an investment banker from I ..read more

Ready or Not – What Awaits Racing come July 1 thanks to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 By Clara Finger, DVM, PhD, DACVIN; Peter J. Sacopulos, JD; Kimberly Brewer, DVM, Mac; Jacob Machin, MS; and Thomas Tobin, MRCVS, PhD, DABT ORIGINALLY reported by the Horseman’s Journal, Summer 2022  Efforts to exert federal jurisdiction over horse racing date back to 2011, when the Interstate Horseracing Improvement Act was introduced by former U.S. Senator Tom Udal (D-NM). The bill in its various iterations stood a less than 10 percent change of passing for years. Then, in December 2 ..read more

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 326 deadly barn fires occurred during the period 2013-2017. In 2022 a devastating fire hurt the Indiana Thoroughbred breeding industry when one Indiana farm burned to the ground. Broodmares carrying the dreams of breeders were lost in the fire and the dream of owners were crushed. A barn fire is one of the biggest fears of a horse owner. However, victims of barn fires learn that while they thought they were prepared with insurance and safety measures, it turns out they weren’t. The Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance (ITA) presents an ed ..read more

Originally reported by | Kevin Kerstein,Churchill Downs Communications Churchill Downs partnered with Jockeys & Jeans for a public benefit toward the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund on July 2 as part of Stephen Foster Day. Jockeys & Jeans hosted more than 25 retired jockeys for their event including Hall of Famers Braulio Baeza, Bill Boland, Don Brumfield, Steve Cauthen, Pat Day, Earlie Fires, Sandy Hawley, Julie Krone, Chris McCarron, Craig Perret, Laffit Pincay Jr., Edgar Prado, Jose Santos and G ..read more

Peter J. Sacopulos recently presented at the first online Continuing Education course presented by the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) and hosted by the University of Louisville that was held on December 14 and 15, 2020. This event allowed racing stewards, judges, and officials to attend and participate in a continuing education program to allow those individuals to maintain their good standing. Peter’s presentation, “Senate Bill 4547: Review, Analysis and Concerns” discussed the recently passed Horse racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). The presentation provided a brief overv ..read more

Written by Peter J. Sacopulos Originally posted on: Trainer Magazine (June 15, 2020) Justify’s victory in the  2018 Santa Anita Derby served as the springboard for trainer Bob Baffert’s second Triple Crown triumph. In the wake of a 2019 New York Times article revealing the colt had tested positive for a banned substance on race day, Ruis Racing has filed a lawsuit against the California Horse Racing Board. Ruis claims the CHRB failed to do its duty, and the 2018 victory and the $600,000 first-place purse rightfully belong to Bolt d’Oro.   A Duel at Santa Anita JUSTIFY WI ..read more

On March 30, 2022, Peter J. Sacopulos along with Gregg S. Gordon, presented an Online Seminar for ICLEF members. Peter touched on tops such as Indiana Equine Case Law, personal injury decisions, the Indiana Workers Compensation Act and decisions regarding the Status of Laborers working in the equine field, and many other talking points. If you were interested in becoming an ICLEF member or to view the Online Seminars, visit the ICLEF website today.   Equine Law: A State & Federal Update – 3 CLE – March 30 ..read more

HISA: Where Are We Now? With Pete Sacopulos, Ed Martin, Rep. Chris Kannady with Moderator Peter Ecabert   The National HBPA’s National Conference at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort broke from the gate Wednesday with a panel on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act entitled “HISA: Where are we now?” It was a question largely answered with more questions, as has been the case with much of the dialogue about HISA since the legislation was passed and signed into law by former President Donald Trump in late 2020 as part of the massive COVID relief bill. The legislation requires the law to go ..read more

The official publication of the National HBPA – Winter 2021 By Clara Fenger, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; Peter J. Sacopulos, JD; Kimberly Brewer, DVM, MSc; Jacob Machin, MS; Thomas Tobin, MRCVS, PhD, DABT Download a full copy of "Clusters of Aminocaproic Acid Positives Across the Country" IS IT POSSIBLE THAT LABS ARE REPORTING IRRELEVANT TRACE-LEVEL IDENTIFICATIONS? Aminocaproic acid, also known by its brand name Amicar, is a therapeutic medication long used in both human and equine medicine to stop hemorrhage, which it does by stabilizing blood clots. In human medicine, aminocaproic acid is a standa ..read more