December 5, 2024 (Lexington, KY) – The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) will aggressively defend itself against a recent lawsuit by Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) and The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) filed in the companies’ attempt to avoid paying their fair share of HISA’s fees (Rule 8500 Series). CDI and NYRA have refused to comply with the Assessment Methodology Rule, as approved by the Federal Trade Commission. The rule was created to properly and equitably allocate the costs of HISA’s operations to state racing commissions and/or covered persons involved with covered horse races. CDI and NYRA are the only two racing organizations subject to this rule that have refused to remit their share of fees. HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus today issued the following statement in response to the meritless lawsuit:
“HISA was established with a clear mission: to create uniformity and consistency across Thoroughbred racing. Our rules, including the Assessment Methodology Rule, were developed after thorough consideration and many opportunities for input from racing participants, and have been approved by the Federal Trade Commission. Despite this, CDI and NYRA are refusing to comply with the assessment methodology, which is designed to ensure HISA is adequately funded and able to effectively oversee the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program and the Racetrack Safety Program, as required under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act.
“CDI and NYRA have both benefited greatly from HISA’s uniform safety rules, expertise and oversight, particularly over the past two years. That uniformity must extend to cost assessments as well. To do otherwise would be unfair to other tracks and industry participants who are paying their fair share. HISA will continue to uphold the standards of the sport with integrity and fairness for all racing participants. Our mission is clear, and we will not allow any parties to pick and choose which rules they follow. Every racetrack, including CDI and NYRA, must operate under the same paradigm. No one is exempt.”