LAHBPA attended a meeting with representatives of the Louisiana State Racing Commission, the State Department of Agriculture, Fair Grounds (FG) backside committee, FG management, and FG racetrack practicing veterinarians.  Various issues and concerns regarding the ongoing quarantine were discussed.  The Department of Agriculture understands 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brian W. Spencer, Manager of Communications/Racing Analyst, 504.948.1233, brian.spencer@fgno.com

NEW ORLEANS (January 13, 2017) – Additional horses have tested positive for EHV-1 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The entirety of Barn 14, Barn 36 and the Receiving Barn had blood pulled and

Click here to download an update from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture.

Following recent reports of additional cases of EHV-1 in Louisiana, Delta Downs has decided to extend our current quarantine on all horses until Monday, January 16.

We still have not had any reports of EHV-1 at Delta Downs, but are extending the quarantine out of an abundance of caution, 

Attention members, please click here for an update from the Fair Grounds 

As you know, Delta Downs Racetrack imposed a voluntary quarantine on all horses on January 2, 2017, in response to reports of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) at New Orleans Fair Grounds.  I am writing to update you on the next steps in resuming operations at our racetrack.

Assuming that no cases of EHV-1 are identified at Delta Downs, we plan to lift the quarantine and resume normal activities on Monday, January 9. 

Starting on that date,

Attention Members:

The Louisiana HBPA recommends that, during this quarantine period at Fair Grounds, trainers should:
1. Keep Temperature Charts.
2. Discuss Booster Shots with your veterinarian.
3. Have any staff that travels between barns use protective clothing.
Please follow all protocols issued by the Fair Grounds, USDA, LA Department of Agriculture and the LSRC veterinarian.

LAHBPA

Below is the list of Candidates that accepted their nomination as of the deadline:

2017 HBPA Election Candidates

President
1. Chatters, Benard

Owner

Please help us have a good 2017 Election.  Make sure that the Louisiana HBPA has your correct mailing address so that you get your ballot.

To verify and update your address, please contact the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper at any of the Louisiana Race Tracks or at the Louisiana HBPA main office (504) 945-1555.

Thank you.

The Gentilly Office will be closed on Thursday November 24th and Friday November 25th for Thanksgiving and will reopen on Monday November 28th.

The Fair Grounds Bookkeeper office will be open Thursday through Sunday during racing hours and can be reached at 504-948-1254.   

If you have an emergency regarding WC, call Mike Fenasci at 504-473-9023. 

If you have an emergency regarding Bookkeeper, call Bobbie Laviolette at 504-329-7871 or Larry Hamburger at 504-453-2400. 

If you have an emergency regarding the Medical Program, call Murray Woodward at 504-669-2254. 

Happy Holidays!

When:

Tuesday, November 22, 2016
10:00 AM

Where:

Gentilly Office
New Orleans, Louisiana

When:
Friday, September 30, 2016
10:30AM

Where:
Gentilly Office
New Orleans, Louisiana

EVD Opelousas  - 9/28/2016 – 10:30AM to 1:00PM

EVTC Carencro – 10/5/2016 – 10:30AM to 1:00PM

DED Vinton – 10/12/2016 – 10:30AM to 1:00PM

FG New Orleans – 11/22/2016 – 10:30AM to 1:00 PM

The Gentilly HBPA office will be closed on Monday September 5, 2016 for the Labor Day Holiday and will re-open on Tuesday September 6, 2016.

The bookkeeper office at Louisiana Downs is open during racing hours and can be reached at 318-742-3986.

If you have an emergency regarding WC, call Mike Fenasci at 504-214-6873.

If you have an emergency regarding the Medical Program, call Murray Woodward at 504-669-2254.

Happy Holiday!
THANK YOU,
LAHBPA

When:
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
11:00AM

Where:
Gentilly Office
New Orleans, Louisiana

(UPDATE AS OF 4/25/2016)

(1) On March 25, 2016, the ARCI made revisions to its “Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule for Horses” which you can find below.

Regulatory thresholds have been added for the following medications: 1) Cimetidine; 2)Ranitidine; 3) Cetirizine; and 4) Guaifenesin.

These new drug thresholds will NOT trigger a positive test call until June 9, 2016. The Commission will notify trainers when they have a test that will cause a positive after June 9, 2016.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any test that would have been a positive prior to the rule change will still be positive during the transitional period.

(2) Also on March 25, 2016, the threshold levels have changed for the following:

1) Omeprazole from 1 ng/mL of urine to 10 ng/mL of plasma or serum
2) Xylazine from .01 ng/mL of plasma or serum to 200 pg/mL of plasma or serum

House Bill 986 was voluntarily withdrawn on Monday May 2, 2016.  Thank you for contacting the members of the House Appropriations committee and asking them to support Louisiana Horsemen.  The Video Poker funds that are dedicated to supplement purses for Louisiana Bred horses will remain.  Communicating your position to your Representatives is vital to our industry.   Through the hard work of our Members, Board, President, and Staff, Louisiana will continue to be one of the top Horse Racing destinations in North America. 

THANK YOU,
LAHBPA

House Bill 986 is scheduled to be heard in the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, April 25, 2016 at 9:30AM.  This bill will eliminate the Video Draw Poker Purse Supplement Fund and redirect the Purse Money to the State General Fund.  Please contact members of the Appropriations Committee (listed below) and ask them to support the Horse Racing Industry by maintaining these dedicated Purse Funds.