WASHINGTON HORSE RACING COMMISSION EQUINE
WASHINGTON HORSE RACING COMMISSION EQUINEHEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT 2020Ron Friedman MS, DVM, DACT, WHRC Equine Medical Director. February 12, 2021WHRC Racing StatisticsRacing and Training daysWashington had one 38 day race meet in 2020 at Emerald Downs (EMD) from June 24 to October 29, 2020, a 43%decrease arising from State health regulations for the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to pandemic related curtailments, 63race days had been scheduled. This would have been a decrease of 6% from the 67 days of 2019 and 2018, which inturn were a decrease from 2017 (72 days) and 2016 (70 days). (figure 1) Although the State’s pandemic measuresresulted in a 43% decrease in the number of racing days, the number of training days increased by 15% to 230 days. SunDowns (SUN) did not conduct a race meet in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Figure 1: Number of: Race Days, Training Days, Races, Starters 2010-20202010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 20182019Racing Days90828175737070726767Training 844504223392737372020382303912905Total startersThere were 2,905 starts at EMD in 2020, a 22% decrease from the 3,737 in 2019. This continues a trend, which saw a4.8% decrease from the 3,927 starts in 2018. The decrease in the number of starts for 2020 was mitigated by increasingthe number of races per day and number of starters per race. The end result was a 43% decrease in race days havingonly a 22% decrease in the number of starts.Total Races, Starters per race, and Races per dayIn 2020 there were three hundred ninety one (391) races, a 29% decrease from 2019. There was an average of 7.43starters per race, an increase from 2019’s average of 6.83 starters per race, which in turn was a 3% decrease from 2018with 7.04 average starters per race. There was an average of 10.3 races per day in 2020, an increase from the 2019average of 8.16 races per day. 2019 saw a 5% decrease from 8.61 in 2018, which was s a 2.6% decrease from 2017 withan average of 8.38 races per day.Sample Collection and AnalysisPost race sample collectionPost race samples were collected from four hundred thirty two (432) horses, a 40% decrease from the seven hundredseventeen (717) horses sampled in 2019. Samples were collected from all first place finishers, as well as other horsesselected by the Board of Stewards for testing. Continuing from last year’s budgetary constraints, at the conclusion ofeach race day the Board of Stewards selected races which would be shipped for testing. Horses in Stakes races finishingfirst and second were selected and tested, a curtailment of testing the first 3 finishers, due to Covid-19 regulations tolimit the number of persons in the Test Barn.2020 WHRC Equine Health and Safety Report p 1
Post race sample analysisTwo hundred sixty eight (268) or 62% of the four hundred thirty two (432) horses sampled, were analyzed by TruesdailLaboratories of Irvine, California the WHRC contract laboratory. The 268 horses tested in 2020 represented a 42%decline from the four hundred sixty two (462) horses analyzed in 2019. It is noteworthy to mention that this 42% ofsamples tested is disproportionately greater than the 29% fewer races. This decline in the number of horses testedcontinues a trend seen in 2019 (34% decline) and 2018 (42% decline) through 2014 and although affected by pandemicrelated decreases, was more greatly impacted by continuing budgetary pressures. (figure 2)Figure 2: Horse Blood Samples Submitted EMD 2010-20Horses Tested Emerald 026802010 111213141516171819 2020Pre race and Out of competition sample collectionNine (9) pre race samples were collected for Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) testing a 83% decline from the fifty two (52)samples in 2019, which was a 24% reduction from the sixty eight (68) samples of 2018. Six (6) samples were collected forout of competition testing.Medication Threshold ViolationsThere were four (4) medication violations in 2020, a 75% decrease from the 16 violations of 2019. The violations wereone (1) for the NSAID phenylbutazone (PBZ), which exceeded not only the lower threshold limits established in 2018(2µg/ml), but the higher preceding threshold (5 µg /ml), and one for the unapproved NSAID acetanilide. Two (2)“stacking” violations were reported for the NSAID’s flunixin and phenylbutazone. In 2019, if violations arising from oralphenylbutazone, methocarbamol, and flunixin were eliminated, six (6) medication violations would have occurred asnoted in the figure below (figure 3,4) Oral administration of medication in 2020 were suspected of contributing to thePBZ violation as it exceeded the old threshold, and one of the stacking violations as no treatment report for PBZ wassubmitted.Figure 3: Number of Violations 2012-20figure 4: Emerald Downs Threshold Violations 2019-20Number of Violations169852012134114159461617Without oral61819PBZ MCB FLN2020MedicationPhenylbutazone (PBZ)Stacking SAIDNSAID (unapproved)Muscle 2019714111120201212020 WHRC Equine Health and Safety Report p 2
Violation Percentage of SubmissionsWith four (4) violations relative to the 268 samples analyzed, 2020 had a 1.5% violation rate, half of 2019 with 3.44%.However it is pertinent to mention that had oral administration not been involved with 2019 violations, the rate wouldhave been 1.3%very similar to the 1.5% in 2020. (figure 3,5) If oral administration had not been involved in 2020,the violation rate would have been 0.75%, half that of 2019. Administration of oral medications close to racing, still acause for violation has decreased, but there is room for further improvement.Figure 5: Violations as a Percentage of Submissions 2008-20Violation Rate 020Violations by RCI ClassAs RCI Penalty Class increases, the potential for altering a horse’s performance decreases and as such penaltiesdecrease. Therefore RCI Class 4 violations are less severe than RCI Class 3. The four (4) Class 4 violation continues atrend of 2018 and 2019 in which Class 4 medications, specifically NSAID’s, were the predominant violation class. Incomparison, the majority of violations of 2017 were from Class 3 medications. (figure 6)Figure 6: Violation by RCI Class sonePhenylbutazoneFlunixin‘Stacking’ neFamilyRCI ClassNSAID (unapproved)Class 4CorticosteroidClass 4CorticosteroidClass 4NSAIDClass 4NSAIDClass 4NSAIDClass 4DiureticClass 4Muscle relaxantClass 4DiureticClass 4SedativeClass 3BronchodilatorClass 3Anabolic steroidClass 3Anti-epileptic, analgesic Class 2StimulantClass 1202020191201820172117211131442062112020 WHRC Equine Health and Safety Report p 3
Health and Safety StatisticsFatalitiesStatus at Time of FatalityFor the first time in WHRC history there were zero fatalities sustained during racing. There were a total of thirteen (13)fatalities unassociated with racing. Seven (7) fatalities were associated with musculoskeletal failures during training,two (2) fatalities were from unknown causes that collapsed following training, and four (4) fatalities unrelated to racingor training .Racing Associated FatalitiesFor the first time in WHRC history, there were no fatalities from racing. With 2,905 starts and zero fatalities this was asignificant decrease from the 1.87 per thousand starts in 2019 and the 2.29 per 1000 starts in 2018. (figure 7) Therewere also no fatalities euthanized more than 72 hours after the race due to injuries sustained from racing, a criteria usedin calculating fatalities per 1000 starts.The 2020 fatality/1000 starts rate of 0.0 at EMD differs significantly from the national rate of 2019 (last year statisticsare available nationally) of 1.6 per 1000 starts on dirt tracks.(figure 10) Since 2007 the trend of fatalities/1000 starts atEMD has been a statistically decreasing linear slope depicted by the red line. (figure 9)Figure 7: Fatalities: Total, Per 1000 Starts, Location 2010-202010 2011 2012 2013 201420152016201720182019Racing 2244384450422339273737Racing fatalities91088511867Fatalities/1000 g12544844423Non 1000 starts01098200701.24 1.82.2902020561.811852.472.04178822.64161092.4159 10 8111931415111316151.87Figure 9: EMD Racing Fatalities/1000 Starts 2007-2012Figure 8: EMD Racing Fatalities 2007-20202020382905007613During the years 2009-2019 (years available nationally) the average fatalities/1000 starts at EMD was 1.91 .42,statistically similar to the national average for dirt tracks of 1.92 0.19. (figure 10) From 2009-2020 the fatality ratesper 1000 starts on dirt tracks nationally and at EMD are similarly decreasing trends, however due to the 0 fatality rate in2020, the EMD trend is decreasing at a steeper slope than that of the national rate. (figure 11)(http://jockeyclub.com/pdfs/eid 11 year tables.pdf)2020 WHRC Equine Health and Safety Report p 4
Figure 10: Fatalities: EMD/1000 starts;National/1000 starts on dirt tracks 2007-20NationalLinear (EMD)Linear (National)20200190EMD18EMD/1000 startsNational/1000 DIRT TRACK1171.42161.241.861.61501.71411.8 1.811.87131.651.78 1.8 1.742121.732.042.29112.12.471022.112.07 2.12.022.0492.482.6420073Fig 11: EMD & National/1000 starts dirt trackslinear trend 2007-203Training FatalitiesPost mortem examinations from Emerald Downs are conducted by the Washington Animal Disease DiagnosticLaboratory (WADDL) of the WSU College of Veterinary medicine and included x-rays, CT scan, and histologicalinvestigation as needed. Covid related budgetary constraints resulted in only five (5) of the fatalities undergoingpostmortem exams.Nine (9) horse deaths were associated with morning training, of which seven (7) horses sustained fatal musculoskeletalfailures during training. This is a significant increase of training fatalities from the four (4) of 2017, two (2) from 2018,and 2019 with three (3) training musculoskeletal fatalities. In 2020, one (1) fatality occurred in February, two (2) in May,one (1) in June, two (2) in August, and one (1) in October.The fatal musculoskeletal failures consisted of: Two (2) horses sustained humeral fractures, one right the other left. One of these horses was examined by WADDL. Three (3) horses fractured their proximal sesamoid bones. Two (2) horses; right front biaxial, not examined postmortem. One (1) horse; left front medial, examined by WADDL. One (1) horse luxated the right front metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) joint, not examined postmortem. One (1) horse sustained a fracture of the left front third metacarpal bone, not examined post mortem.The non musculoskeletal fatalities consisted of: Two (2) horses collapsed following training from unknown causes as post mortem exams were not conducted.Pre-existing Injuries and FatalitiesCorrelation and direct links between racing fatalities and factors potentially contributing to the fatalities are frequentlydifficult to make. However there is a very strong statistical correlation between catastrophic injuries and pre-existinginjury, both in national statistics and in Washington. Although the presence of a pre-existing injury does not necessarilyindicate that it contributed to a fatal injury, but they often do.2020 WHRC Equine Health and Safety Report p 5
As mentioned, due to financial consequences of the pandemic most horse fatalities were not examined post mortem.Of those examined, one horse with a humeral fracture was found to have pre existing injuries which contributed to thefracture. Statistically, humeral fractures, more so than some other injuries, have similar and predictable pre existingpathology as was reported this year.Risk Factors for Racing Fatal Musculoskeletal Injury (FMSI)Factors known to increase the risk of fatal musculoskeletal injuries (FMSI) from racing have been researched andpublished. Some are well known and include previous history on veterinarian’s list (VL). Others are not as well known,e.g. the accumulation of excessive high speed furlongs (race or timed works). Specifically, horse’s that have 35 highspeed furlongs during the previous 2 months have a 3.9 fold risk of fatal injury compared to a horse accumulating 25furlongs. Additionally, a horse accumulating 0.6F/day of high speed furlongs during last 2 months has a 1.8 greater riskthan a horse with 0.5 F/day. 1 Although excessive high speed furlongs are statistically linked to racing FMSI, these riskshave not been statistically linked to FMSI from training . That a connection exists would seem intuitive as high speedfurlongs both from racing and timed works are included in the above statistics. This is discussed further in the section:Musculoskeletal Injury, Anti inflammatory medication, and Cyclic Loading under the Veterinarian’s List discussion below.Risk factors for racing fatal musculoskeletal injury: applied to high speed trainingFive (5) of the seven (7) training musculoskeletal fatalities had risk factors for racing fatal musculoskeletal failure andare listed below. (figure 12) Although these risk factors have not been statistically linked to FMSI sustained duringtraining, further investigation is warranted as it may provide additional data as to any connection between these riskfactors and training musculoskeletal fatalities.Fig 12: Risk factors for musculoskeletal fatalitiesExcess Accumulation of high speed workNew Trainer 2 moNumber of Layoffs 60 daysLess than 2 works/races in past 30 daysDrop in ClassQuick turn aroundUnraced at 4 years oldHorse 1X3XTRAININGHorse 2X 1Horse 3Horse 410XXHorse 5X25 dayTraining fatalities unassociated with musculoskeletal failureTwo (2) fatalities were not associated with musculoskeletal failures. These horses collapsed on track shortly afterfinishing their training. Due to pandemic related financial constraints, post mortem examinations were not conducted.Non racing fatalitiesSix (6) horse fatalities were unassociated with musculoskeletal failures from racing or training. Three (3) horses wereeuthanized in the barns, one (1) was suspected to have pleuritis, and one (1) was reported as “sick”, both were notexamined post mortem due to pandemic financial constraints. One (1) horse was euthanized following chronic internalabscesses and laminitis and was examined post mortem. One (1) horse sustained a skull fracture following it runningloose from the gate before a race; this horse received a post mortem exam.1High-speed exercise history and catastrophic racing fracture of Thoroughbreds. Estberg L, et al. Am J Vet Res 1996:57(11)1549-552020 WHRC Equine Health and Safety Report p 6
Veterinarian’s List (VL)Historically a majority of racing fatal musculoskeletal failures have pre existing pathology contributing to the fatality.Although racing fatalities are relatively rare events with less than 1.6 horses per 1000 horse starts nationally, and the 0.0reported at EMD in 2020, preventing them is a primary and fundamental concern of all stakeholders. Due to their lowincidence, it is difficult to find conclusive “cause and effect” type links of factors which contribute to musculoskeletalfatalities from racing and training.The veterinarian’s list (VL) however does provide a strong association between the incidence of racing related injuriesand their impact on the racing career of a horse. Numerous studies have reported that inclusion on the VL forunsoundness significantly increases the risk of fatal injury, as well as non fatal injury, leading to interruptions in, or theend of a racing career of a horse. Horses with a history of being on the VL had a significantly longer interval to theirnext race, more will not race in 6 months or 12 months, and they have a 2-3 times greater interval to their next racecompared to horses who have not appeared on the VL.Because the incidence of horses placed on the VL occurs in significantly greater numbers than fatalities, examining thecircumstances and condition of horses placed on the VL may provide information on factors responsible for injury. Thesefactors may progress into injuries which contribute to a musculoskeletal fatality at a future date, or more commonly,non fatal injuries that add to the attrition of race horses in the EMD horse population. Consequently, injured horsesregardless if placed on the VL or not, warrant close scrutiny. WHRC leads the industry regarding rules formulated forprivate veterinarians, trainers, and official veterinarians regarding the accumulation of information impacting horsehealth and safety. Unfortunately these rules have been met with obstruction and impediments and will be discussed ingreater detail below.Summary:Horses put on the VL after a race more frequently sustained injuries which resulted in greater delays, or an end to theirrace careers than horses placed on the list from morning exams or post parade. As such, detection of unsound horsesprior to the race preferred. Seventy percent of horses put on the VL in 2020 remain on the list with 65% neverattempting to work, indications of career ending injury. There may be many other industry forces outside of injuryresulting in layoffs or retirement, however considering the numbers of the last few years, they potentially indicate apersistent and increasing problem of attrition due to injury and a room for improvement.If entry into a race is an indication that a horse is sound for racing, horses put on the list from morning exams and thepost parade, sustained injuries that trainers either did not detect or believed to be minor. The fact that approximately2/3 of the horses placed on the VL from morning exam and post parade were subsequently withdrawn from racing is anindication that although their degree of unsoundness were potentially subtle and elusive, they resulted in eitherextensive layoff or retirement. Conversely, the ease with which a horse works off the VL may be viewed as an indicationas to the severity of the problem contributing to its placement on the list. For example, horses able to work off at theearliest opportunity have a less impactful injury, compared to a horse either requiring multiple works, or having a layoffextending into months , or resulting in retirement.Vigorous objection is often presented to scratches from morning exam or post parade. Working horses off the VL quicklymay add validation of those objections, and differences of opinion. Having 2/3 of these horses being unable to work offmay be viewed as invalidation of a significant majority of those objections.2020 WHRC Equine Health and Safety Report p 7
Horses scratched during the post parade were more successful at returning to racing than were horses scratched duringthe morning exam or placed on the VL after the race. Although a significant percentage of horses put on the list frommorning exams and post parade have potentially career ending or delaying injuries, this scenario is preferable to havingthem race and sustain an injury during a race which statistically result in poorer outcomes. Early detection and inclusiononto the vets list in that way can be viewed as a measure of success contributing to zero racing fatalities in 2020.Circumstances When Placed on Veterinarian’s ListThe VL numbers reported here only include horses placed on the EMD VL in 2020 for musculoskeletal conditions ofunsoundness. These do not include trainer scratches, which are put on the list but not required to work off, or startinggate scratches, which are usually not placed on the
As RCI Penalty Class increases, the potential for altering a horse’s performance decreases and as such penalties decrease. Therefore RCI Class 4 violations are less severe than RCI Class 3. The four (4) Class 4 violation continues a trend of 2018 and 2019 in which Class 4 medications, specifically NSAID’
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