Indiana sets a high standard for integrity

Joe Gorajec likes to set the bar for integrity a little higher at Indiana tracks.  As executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, Gorajec is committed to making sure that the sport in the Hoosier State is conducted with the highest level of integrity to protect both the public and the participants.  Gorajec is fully supported in his efforts by the five appointed commissioners, headed by chairman Sarah McNaught.

A year ago, the IHRC unveiled its “Integrity ‘06” plan, a series of “progressive initiatives designed to deter and detect the practice of administering unauthorized medication to horses on race day.”  The stated goal was to assure a “level playing field” in Indiana horse racing.

So how did the program do last year?

It got high marks from tracks in the Hoosier State. Rick Moore of Hoosier Park said that his track is “fully supportive” of Integrity ’06 and Jon Schuster said that Indiana Downs “supports the basic tenets of the Integrity ’06 program, implemented to ensure heightened integrity within the Indiana racing industry.”

Tim Schmitz, the highly-respected presiding judge for the Indiana Horse Racing Commission said, “Those who deliberately violated the rules in Indiana have been delivered a message---‘Display the utmost respect for the rules of harness racing through honest racing---or suffer the consequences.”’  Schmitz noted that those who criticized Integrity ’06 should ask how they can assist the IHRC in protecting the betting public and report those who break the rules.

State Steward Gary Wilfert says, “By what I hear from horsemen, I believe that the program has created a more level playing field.  Horsemen who are not happy with any part of the program feel this way because it prevents them from bending the rules and for no other reason.”

The cost of implementing the Integrity ’06 program is $50 per race, seemingly a small price to pay for increased public confidence.  In a report on the program, Gorajec notes that blood gas positives dropped from 14 in 2005 to only five in 2006.  (These were all Standardbreds; no Thoroughbred was detected with high blood gas levels in 2006.)

Another aspect of the Integrity ’06 program is closer monitoring of veterinarians and Gorajec’s report indicated that the track vets were cooperative and adjusted to the new procedures.

Yes, Integrity ’06 has been a step forward, but the commissioners, Gorajec, and staff have already made a series of recommendations for enhancing the integrity of racing in Indiana for 2007.  Under consideration are proposed rule changes that tighten licensing and transfer procedures.

The work is not done, says Gorajec.  “The Indiana Horse Racing Commission can do more to maintain public confidence in Indiana’s racing product,” writes Gorajec in his report.  “In fact, it is respectfully submitted that it must do more.”  The integrity bar in Indiana horse racing is going a little bit higher.

Source: USTA Web site (02-16-07)