LEXINGTON, Ky. — Texas is, well, Texas, a state with a strong independent streak. Unfortunately, that streak may be working to the detriment of horse racing in the Lone Star State.
Earlier this week, Amy Cook, executive director of the Texas Racing Commission, put out a memo saying the state would not abide by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, the federally mandated program whose track safety standards are scheduled to begin July 1. HISA’s anti-doping and controlled medication protocol is to start Jan. 1, 2023.
Cook told the BloodHorse on Tuesday that Texas will allow wagering on out-of-state racing signals at simulcast locations in the state. It will not allow parimutuel wagering at a Texas meet that is HISA-compliant or the export of simulcast signals to other states, however.
