Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

Medical card required for jockeys, exercise riders

Details: 24 Jun

Jockeys and exercise riders will be required at all times to have on their person a MedStar Emergency Card while on the track for racing or morning training effective July 1, 2022.

The card, which will be available through the Maryland Horsemen’s Health System, will list a person’s name, address, phone number, date of birth, emergency contact and phone number, agent and agent’s phone number, any allergies, and their employer if applicable. Also required is a list of current medications and confirmation of any medical conditions.

The card provides a contact number for filing workers’ compensation claims under the Maryland Jockey Injury Compensation Fund.

MTHA forum on HISA expanded, relocated

Details: 11 Jun

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association’s open forum on Thursday, June 16, to discuss the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act will be expanded and relocated.

The event is still scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. but will move to Tycoons on the first floor of the clubhouse at Laurel Park to provide additional space and access to video screens for additional presenters and guests who wish to attend virtually.

Horsemen asked to report pin- or freeze-firing of horses

Details: 09 Jun

The Maryland Jockey Club on June 9 asked horsemen to provide a list of all horses in their barn that have had any pin-firing or freeze-firing (for example, shins, splints, etc.) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., including the location of the horses, on or before June 23, 2022.

Beginning July 1, 2022, when the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Racetrack Safety Program begins in Maryland and other racing states, pin- and freeze-firing will be a prohibited practice. Horses that do not have a record of such treatments prior to that time may be prohibited from racing—either for a period of time or permanently.

Track veterinarians will be inspecting horses designated as having been pin-fired or freeze-fired before July 1, 2022, and will make a note of the treatment in the The Jockey Club InCompass system, which will be available to HISA.

HISA releases draft of Anti-Doping and Medication Control rules

Details: 08 Jun

The draft regulations for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program that takes effect Jan. 1, 2023, have been submitted to the Federal Trade Commission. Links to the documents appear at the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association website under its HISA section.

The FTC will take comments on the proposed regulations. Comments can be submitted by email. HISA intends to present final rules to the FTC on July 1, 2022, after which there will be another public comment period.

The final regulations will be posted at tharacing.com.

HISA Registration Deadline: July 1

Details: 03 Jun

A wide range of racing industry participants are required by federal law to register with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, the entity charged with developing rules and regulations under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2022.

The HISA Racetrack Safety Program takes effect July 1, the same date registrations are due to HISA. The new law requires all "covered persons" to register, and it stipulates that covered persons include individuals licensed by the Maryland Racing Commission. Registered trainers largely will be responsible for registering all of their “covered horses.”

Summer Meet Stakes Totals $1.5 Million

Details: 03 Jun

Laurel Park will offer 16 stakes (nine on the grass) valued at $1.5 million during its summer meet, which runs from June 3 through Aug. 21. Racing will be held three days week on a Friday-through-Sunday schedule as well as Monday, July 4.

There will be six stakes for Maryland-bred and Maryland-sired horses: Two on June 19 and four on July 30. The purse for each is $75,000. Both of those programs will each have an open stakes with a purse of $100,000.