PA trainer gets lifetime ban...

[Grandstand Handicapper]

https://www.drf.com/news/penn-trainer-graci-accepts-lifetime-ban-medication-violations

Pennsylvania huh? Oh wait, this is the t-bred side of the sport. Where who was involved? That's right, HISA. This is # 2! Bonnie Lucas was # 1 with a lifetime ban from the sport!

Numerous other trainers are facing similar and lesser charges, all coming from HIWU/HISA. The lifetime suspension also states that the HISA agreement does not preclude further charges, actions, fines, etc.

Good job HISA.

[White Rabbit]

We need that on the harness side.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Absolutely! I don't think the USTA is qualified, capable, nor ready for the job.

[Bitter Truth]

Would definitely need to close tracks then, since there would be much fewer horses and trainers to race.
Therefore they [USTA] will never do it unless it's forced upon them.

[Harness Racing Revolution]

Absolutely! I don't think the USTA is qualified, capable, nor ready for the job.

The USTA is a registry and has no authority as a 501c6 not for profit to hold a hearing against a member and issue a penalty. That's what the state commissions are for "that don't work". The question is why did the USTA spend $2,000,000.00 of membership funds to fight HISA through lawsuits and lobbying? Now take a look at the USTA executive board and district directors. Remember the use of those funds was never put before the directors who are supposed to represent the members. This was all executive decision. So again, why would the registry be so against oversight that might actually work, create accountability and transparency and possibly create a more positive public perception?

[seen2much]

A good job by HISA!

[Harness Racing Revolution]

A good job by HISA!

There's only one reason harness racing wants no part of HISA.....it works. 

[The Answer]

HISA is a great concept but government run it’s totally uneconomical. HISA has gone from charging approximately $285 per start to approximately $462 per start. This is a more than 62% increase in the cost per start in the span of two years."

[Grandstand Handicapper]

HISA is a great concept but government run it’s totally uneconomical. HISA has gone from charging approximately $285 per start to approximately $462 per start. This is a more than 62% increase in the cost per start in the span of two years."

That's not the entire story though. Without question, the cost in 2025 is substantially higher than 2024 and than projected. However, part of the funding they were including in their budget was monies the FTC was making available. That was taken right off the table as a result of OUR President. In addition, there is a very widely present misunderstanding that owners pay this fee. They do not.

Part of their budget was an alternative pro-forma that showed the per-start number would come back down below $300 IF, and yes, today it's a big IF, but IF the three big states-----Texas, Louisiana, and W. Virginia opted into HISA. This could happen voluntarily, eventually, or they could be forced into it by the USSC.

Regardless, HISA is exploring funding, and I believe they will eventually get it. HISA serves the entire industry, every aspect of it. I think eventually, the industry will pay for it. It's a journey. A marathon, not a sprint. But, I think we'll get there. It just might be a bit of a rocky road at times getting there. Especially now, in the beginning.
I think the industry has to support HISA and realize if they do, they will mind the most effective and efficient ways to pay for what they can do for the industry.

[The Answer]

That's not the entire story though. Without question, the cost in 2025 is substantially higher than 2024 and than projected. However, part of the funding they were including in their budget was monies the FTC was making available. That was taken right off the table as a result of OUR President. In addition, there is a very widely present misunderstanding that owners pay this fee. They do not.

Part of their budget was an alternative pro-forma that showed the per-start number would come back down below $300 IF, and yes, today it's a big IF, but IF the three big states-----Texas, Louisiana, and W. Virginia opted into HISA. This could happen voluntarily, eventually, or they could be forced into it by the USSC.

Regardless, HISA is exploring funding, and I believe they will eventually get it. HISA serves the entire industry, every aspect of it. I think eventually, the industry will pay for it. It's a journey. A marathon, not a sprint. But, I think we'll get there. It just might be a bit of a rocky road at times getting there. Especially now, in the beginning.
I think the industry has to support HISA and realize if they do, they will mind the most effective and efficient ways to pay for what they can do for the industry.

Even at your number at $300 per horse per start how many harness tracks could pay that? Even if the owner isn’t paying it it’s coming out of the purses somehow. It would cost $30,000 to $40,0000 a card on average. Not feasible.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

Even at your number at $300 per horse per start how many harness tracks could pay that? Even if the owner isn’t paying it it’s coming out of the purses somehow. It would cost $30,000 to $40,0000 a card on average. Not feasible.

There are several tracks that could pay for it out of the purse account. Yonkers, The Meadowlands and Plainridge come to mind.

[Kenny]

There are several tracks that could pay for it out of the purse account. Yonkers, The Meadowlands and Plainridge come to mind.

It should be taken out of the handouts before the money is put in the purse accounts.

[MCR]

The sport needs to be cleaned up.   As for HISA i think it would be great for it to get into harness racing.  I love how some people say no one could afford the 3 to 400 dollars per start and say that it shouldn't come from the purse account.  Let's take a legit serious look at tracks like Yonkers and plainridge.  The purses way inflated for the horse flesh racing. Harness racing is as corrupt as it gets.   From the horsemen themselves to the commission/judges and racetracks.   At one time I owned over 60 head I'm down to about 12 now.  Harness racing has become a sad state of affairs. People ran scared for a bit with the FBI investigations now it's business as usual.  Usta is a worthless group of people.   Bring in HISA if you really want the sport to live on.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

I get the cost has to be feasible, affordable, and so forth. Without question. Eventually, there will be economies of scale, size, whatever, that will bring the costs down. There will be other factors that bring the costs down. But, again, it has to be cost-efficient, effective, feasible, etc. The sport and industry must be able to afford it. Period. However, and I am not saying it's not critical, but, if you are complaining about drug trainers, cheaters, beards, and everything wrong with this sport and industry; if you don't want to or can't race against these people.....how can you not afford it?

[The Answer]

I am all for a HISA type system for harness racing. It just doesn’t make sense to be run by the government. There is no way costs are coming down if run by the government. The industry needs to join together get rid of the current leadership in the USTA and start over and make the USTA the governing body over all of harness racing. Hire a CEO from outside the business and run all aspects of harness racing through it.