Policy Statement
In the interest of fairness and transparency, the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) will release sample residue, when available, for independent analysis (herein called "referee analysis") when a request is made within 21 calendar days from the date of issue of the Certificate of Positive Analysis.
Issue
When an owner or trainer has been issued a Certificate of Positive Analysis, they may wish to obtain a referee analysis of any existing sampler residue. This policy paper describes the time limitation and process requirements by which the CPMA will authorize the release of existing residue of an official sample.
Decision
The CPMA provides a sample residue release program to owners or trainers of race horses that have been issued a Certificate of Positive Analysis and would like a referee analysis performed on the sample. Provided there is residue of the sample, CPMA will retain the official sample for up to 21 calendar days during which time the owner or trainer (the Originator) may make a request in writing for the release of the sample residue.
A request for the release of an official sample residue must be made by the Originator to the Provincial Regulator Body (PRB) within 21 calendar days from the date of issue indicated on the Certificate of Positive Analysis. All requests are to be made in writing and must include the name and address of the chosen referee laboratory and include confirmation that the referee laboratory will accept and analyze the sample for the drug indicated in the Certificate of Positive Analysis. Also, payment in full must be received within 21 calendar days by the official laboratory for the shipping and handling related to the transportation of the sample residue to the referee laboratory.
The CPMA will only accept requests that meet the above requirements. Sample residue will be destroyed if a completed request is not received and payment for shipping and handling has not been made within the 21 calendar days.
Explanation
The CPMA is under no obligation to ensure that sample residue is available for referee analysis. Where the Official Laboratory has used the entire official sample during their analysis, the Originator and PRB are notified at the time of the request that no residue is available for a referee analysis. They may, however, request the container(s) that held the official sample."
An official sample that has been classified as positive and has existing residue may only be released to the Originator for referee analysis as it relates to issuance of the Certificate of Positive Analysis. All costs associated for shipping and handling are to be paid to Maxxam Analytics International Corporation (Maxxam) by the Originator before the end of the 21 calendar days.
Appendix "A" outlines the roles and responsibilities of each party involved and the sequence of events to be followed should an official sample be released.
Appendix "B" provides a step-by-step guideline for the Originator. As mentioned, the Originator is responsible for all costs associated with the process and for identifying a laboratory that is willing and able to conduct the referee analysis. Consequently, the costs associated for the referee laboratory analysis, results and report is the responsibility of the Originator.
Additional Information
The CPMA recommends that referee laboratories be accredited by a recognized national accrediting body under ISO/IEC 17025, and is also known as a laboratory that does analysis on equine samples. It should also be noted that not all accredited laboratories offer the same scope of testing. The persons seeking referee laboratory analysis is responsible for confirming the referee laboratory's eligibility and willingness to test for s particular drug or substance before making shipping arrangements
There is the possibility that the results from the referee analysis m ay differ from the original analysis. There are many factors that may affect the stability or integrity of a drug or substance found in an official sample, such as:
- The drug's stability and deterioration rate may vary in a blood sample relative to a urine sample;
- The referee laboratory may not be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025;
- The referee laboratory may use a different method of analysis;
- Samples may also deteriorate rapidly, hindering the detectability of the drug; and
- Circumstances beyond the control of the Official Laboratory, such as power failures and the possibility of degradation of the drug, blood or urine, may render re-analysis for the drug impossible.
The field for the 2016 Western Regional Driving Championship, scheduled for Sunday, June 26 at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino has been confirmed.
The participating drivers are:
Alberta Drivers
- Travis Cullen
- Phil Giesbrecht
- Mike Hennessy
- Dave Kelly
British Columbia Drivers
- Brandon Campbell
- Paul Davies
- Jim Marino
Manitoba Driver
- Don Howlett
This is the first time the Western Regional has been hosted in Alberta. In 2014, Fraser Downs in Surrey, BC presented the qualifying event which was won by Brandon Campbell, who advanced to the National Championship along with runner-up Jim Marino.
“We are looking forward to hosting this event at Century Downs,” said Jackson Wittup, Racing Secretary for Century Downs, “We’ve got a good mix of veteran talent combined with some new younger faces. I believe that the average age of the eight drivers is the youngest we’ve ever had in Regional competitions.” Six of the eight drivers are under 35 years of age, and the youngest driver is 23-year-old Travis Cullen.
Drivers will receive points based on their finishing position and the top two drivers from the eight-race competition will join six other drivers at the 2016 National Driving Championship scheduled for Friday, October 14 at The Raceway at Western Fair District, in London, Ontario.
The draw for the Western Regional will be an “open” draw as approved by Horse Racing Alberta. Any participating drivers who enter horses that they train and or own for any of the Regional Driving Champonship Races fully understand that they may not end up drawing their own horses to drive in the RDC races.
“I would like to thank Horse Racing Alberta for allowing us to have an “open draw” as it now becomes a true Drivers Challenge. I think the competition will be very interesting to both the racing industry and the handicappers for this one day change to the rules,” commented Wittup, “Good luck to all participants and I look forward to seeing who goes to the National Championship in London in October.”
Invitations were extended to drivers based on several criteria including their 2015-16 win statistics on their circuit. Drivers also had to confirm their availability for the National Driving Championship date and the World Driving Championship dates in order to take part in the Regional Driving Championship
The winner of the NDC will represent Canada in harness racing's 2017 World Driving Championship, hosted by Standardbred Canada in concert with the World Trotting Conference in August.
Effective January 1, 2016
Anyone receiving a positive for RACTOPAMINE in the province of Alberta up to this date will not have to declare it on their licence renewal application.
Moving forward, a RACTOPAMINE positive will be dealt with as a CLASS 2 drug, as stated in the RCI Guidelines.
Doug Fenske
Manager of Racing Supervision & Security
December 18, 2015
A Circuit Only
Effective May 18, 2015
In the case of a race of less than 4 furlongs, one qualifying workout within 45 days of the race for which it is entered is required.
Doug Fenske
Manager of Racing Supervision and Security
'Pickles On Top' will be entering the ring as Hip #43 this Friday, September 4 at the 2015 ASHA Yearling Sale held in Olds, Alberta. “Pickles On Top” was the winning name submission in the 2014 “Name That Foal” contest sponsored by Meridian Farms and ASHA. Six-year-old Rachel Ratsoy, of Edmonton, was the creative little girl behind the name. We are excited as this is the first yearling to enter the sales ring from the “Name That Foal” contest states ASHA Sales Coordinator Orianna Scheck.
In addition, Bill Andrew from Meridian Farms is graciously donating 100 percent of “Pickles On Top” sale bid to charity after payment of sales commission, entry fee and GST. 25% will be given to the Olds & District Hospice Society, 25 % to the Olds & District Christmas Angels and 50% will be divided equally between 4 Alberta rescue and retirement groups for Standardbreds. All of these groups will be in attendance at the ASHA sale including young Rachel Ratsoy which makes it even more special says Scheck. Bill Andrew has always been a big supporter in our harness racing and breeders industry here in Alberta and we thank him for his continued generosity and backing.
‘Pickles On Top’ is an Alberta sired filly from the good Alberta Sire ‘Camystic’ who has produced top fillies like Credit Card Junkie, Mystic Maiden and Nighttraintovegas. ‘Pickles’ stakes winning dam ‘Real Chop’ was no stranger to the racetrack taking a two-year-old record of 1:54.3. Real Chop’s full brother ‘Veal Marsala’ took a record of 1:49 while amassing $590,000 in lifetime earnings.
We have some wonderful breeders that have entered quality yearlings to be sold at our sale says Scheck. There’s a total of 64 Alberta Sired yearlings along with 6 yearlings bred by out of province stallions. All of which offer something to our potential buyers.
The 2015 ASHA Yearling Sale will be held at the Olds AG Society Mega Dome on Friday, September 4 at 2:30PM. Viewing will start at 11:30AM.
To view on-line catalogue please click here
HRA has released an interactive PDF document outlining it's 2015 marketing campaign initiatives. Download and view the document from the Download attachments link below or visit the Documents page under the About menu: thehorses.com/about/documents
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Race Horse Groom Training Program
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Exercise Rider and Jockey Training Program
For More Information:
Call: 1 800 661 6537
Email:
Visit: oldscollege.ca
Dates for the 2015 Alberta race season have been added to the race calendar. Click here to visit the 2015 year display listing or click on the first menu under the Racetracks main menu.
Download the past performance lines for The 85th Canadian Derby race - npx081614-race12(Cderby2014).pdf
Horse Racing Alberta is seeking a single provider of Off-Track Betting throughout the province of Alberta. Operators wishing to apply for the proposed contract are requested to submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI).