The Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) has updated its model rules and standards and published them on www.arci.com. Standards were reviewed and modified at the ARCI's equine welfare and racing integrity conference in April. The most noteworthy changes involve tougher rules for horses placed on the veterinarian's list. “The model rules strengthen the provision where horses cannot race anywhere else if on a vet's list in one jurisdiction until they are released by that state's official veterinarian, unless there is an unforeseen administrative issue in gaining the release,” an ARCI press release explained. “It also places a minimum of seven days that a horse scratched or excused from a race be on the list.” Updated model rules also stipulate that horses making their first start in more than one year or debuting at age four or up must work a half-mile in at least :52 and submit biological samples to test for medications that might mask physical issues.
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