Years of “illegal and unethical” practices at Parx Racing in Bensalem have Pa. state regulators tightening the reins on the sport. Gregory Vellner reported the increased scrutiny for Community Voice.

The Pa., State Horse Racing Commission’s recent observations at Parx yielded evidence of:

• Violation of a rule against riders themselves betting on horses they are not riding
• Onsite presence of contraband medications and syringes
• High rates of horse mortality:
  • 710 deaths in 2010
  • 59 in 2019
  • 39 in 2021

The rule-skirting jockey’s bet, which occurred in Dec. 2021, led to his suspension and treatment in an accredited gambling program. Jockeys are authorized to wager legally, but not in the direct manner the rider in this instance used.

The new measures include an Integrity Hotline (717.787.1942), through which anonymous reports of suspected poor behavior can be reported.

“The Integrity Hotline is one of many strides the commission has taken to oversee the sport and protect the health and safety of horses in Pennsylvania,” said state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.

More on the strengthened oversight at Parx is at Community Voice.