Axide content prosecutions from Pennsylvania have been dropped. HIWU began examining PETRL’s procedures in response to an excessively high number of laboratory findings of elevated levels of total carbon dioxide content, and it worked with representatives of horsemen throughout this period. HIWU thoroughly reviewed PETRL’s testing paperwork and laboratory practices before requesting an administration study from the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Laboratory at the University of California Davis to compare the results provided by the Program laboratories. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority oversees the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory, a drug-control and anti-doping program.
The horse racing industry had been using and approving PETRL’s device, a clinical blood gas analyzer, and related methodology as a valid means of controlling total carbon dioxide levels for years prior to the implementation of the ADMC program. HIWU did not discover any evidence of PETRL’s instrument failure or laboratory error. However, PETRL’s results did not align with those of the three other labs, each of which used a different mass spectrometry instrument and methodology, according to the administration study data. In response, HIWU has issued a new mandate requiring the industry standard for the verification of total carbon dioxide content analysis to be mass spectrometry. This method is used to assess nearly all other materials covered by the ADMC Program.
Because total carbon dioxide content samples deteriorate more quickly than other analytes, HIWU was unable to send previously tested samples to other program laboratories for comparison of the results in the Pennsylvania cases. In cases that had already been resolved, HISA offered to return purse money, pay back fines, alert Equibase to remove the disqualifications, and take penalty points off the affected trainers’ records. Racetracks that have already paid out purse money in connection with these cases won’t be affected.
“The identification of discrepancies in total carbon-dioxide content testing across Program laboratories and HIWU’s subsequent responsibility to establish harmonization among them represent the benefits of a national ADMC program,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. Unlike state-based regulatory regimes, our Program labs communicate continuously to exchange ideas and evaluate approaches. Because of this cooperation, we were able to find and fix differences in total carbon dioxide content measurements even though the tools and procedures were well-established.
“I commend HIWU for taking action in response to the high rate of total carbon-dioxide content findings at PETRL and ultimately facilitating the harmonization of total carbon-dioxide content testing among Pennsylvania and other states,” said Jeffrey A. Matty, Jr., executive director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. Ben and his team kept in close communication with us and listened to our horsemen’s concerns while the laboratory was being inspected.
We also appreciate HISA’s willingness to lift penalty for cases that have already been resolved. “HIWU and HISA can work together for the industry’s overall benefit, and this process is an example of how a uniform, national system benefits horsemen.” To guarantee uniformity and equity in the reporting of results, testing in program labs is assessed continuously. As of January 1, HIWU has adopted HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory accreditation. A strong Equine Quality Assurance Scheme sample program is part of HEAL accreditation.