In a Kentucky federal district court on Thursday, the New York Racing Association moved to dismiss the horseracing integrity and safety authority ( HISA ) and other parties from the lawsuit it had recently filed against it.
However, the case won’t finish because Churchill Downs Inc. continues to sue HISA, a secret regulatory body that was given the power to regulate the sport by Congress.
The petition contends that HISA’s use of its cost assessment process is infringes on the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution. The Federal Trade Commission, which reviews HISA proposed rules and regulations, is also a respondent. The plaintiffs just refused to adhere to a fee-assignment procedure, which the FTC approved, according to HISA, who refutes the states.

The HISA Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law in 2020, created the controller. Both Republicans and Democrats, including act sponsors Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky. ) and Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N. Y. ( ) opposed the idea that state-level standards would be more effective at addressing horseracing issues like racetrack safety, competition, transparency, and other issues.
Since HISA launched its anti-doping and medicines control programme in 2023, a statement released last month showed a significant decrease in racing-related fatalities. The mortality rate dropped by around 21 % year-over-year. As health and integrity are on the rise, HISA CEO Liza Lazarus remarked,” we are reminded that our objective to defend the well-being of animals and riders will protect the activity for generations to come.”
The petition doesn’t contest the legality or knowledge of HISA’s efforts to protect the activity and maintain its integrity. In reality, even in suing HISA, NYRA emphasized it was” highly friendly” of HISA’s regulation goal. Otherwise, the lawsuit is merely a broader criticism of HISA’s fee calculation process. The plaintiffs contend that the HISA Act contemplates an analysis based on starts, but that the HISA mixes starts and purses, which in turn determine the total prize money awarded to competition winners.
NYRA president and CEO DavidO’Rourke said in a statement that he was “pleased to had reached this deal” in response to NYRA and HISA’s decision to resolve their disagreement. He continued,” HISA’s continued function and overall vision are crucial to the future of thoroughbred horse racing.

Lazarus, who added that” NYRA has been a fantastic companion to HISA,” is also quoted in the speech, and that she is “delighted to move forward and continue our strong collaboration grounded in the principles of horses happiness and sporting integrity.”
In a speech to Sportico, a HISA director said:” The terms of the colony are classified. The arrangement has no effect on the allegations made by Churchill Downs.
NYRA operates New York’s three largest pedigree lines: Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.
The situation is before U. S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings.