(Trainer Chad Brown / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Now that we have this new, fancy, federally-mandated oversight Board — born out of legislation crafted in the middle of the night and passed in little daylight and cleverly named the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority — I have developed a list of priorities that I would like to submit for consideration and possible action by this august body of industry experts.

I know the chances that these “suggestions” make their way to the desk of the new authorities are slim, if not zero, but I think they merit some consideration; a possible discussion; and, perhaps, a plan to address.

If they don’t deem the issues of enough significance, then, perhaps, they can deliver a memorandum (I have found that all government agencies love “memorandums”) on why they refuse to either address or resolve.

If they do deem the issues significant and are willing to undertake a process to oversee, then, perhaps, they can issue a memorandum (in 30 years of lobbying state and federal government persons, I have found that they truly enjoy “memorandums”) on how they plan to address and how the industry can offer input.

Or, if they don’t have time to “deem” at all right now, then, perhaps, they can issue a memorandum (have I mentioned how government groups love to draft; edit, redraft and issue memorandums?) on when they may be able to deem in the near future.

So, as we sit here on a most wonderful weekend and await another round of magnificent races, I offer these “issues,” free of charge, mind you, as “soup starters” for possible HISA discussions and actions.

After all, since we have this new, fancy, federally-mandated oversight Board, we might as well get our money’s worth, right?

Here you go. Our first 3 “requests” out of our “Top 10” are submitted today:

#1: Develop An Industry-Wide Personal Conduct Code:

On the heels of the embarrassing, disgusting allegations and potentially criminal actions that have surfaced at Saratoga this week concerning the conduct of high profile trainer Chad Brown, it is way past time that the horse industry develop a sweeping, universal “Code of Conduct” for all persons involved and licensed to conduct business in the Thoroughbred industry. Way. Past. Time.

While an eventual court case may spell out the unfortunate and potentially damaging details of the allegations against Brown — who is currently the leading trainer at the world-renown race meet at Saratoga, by the way — there already has been damage done to the credibility and professionalism of a sport that needs no more public defamations.

No matter what happens next, the mere insinuations are disgusting.

No matter what the future outcome of the criminal charges may or may not be, the public disclosures are embarrassing.

No matter what the courts and the juries eventually decide on either guilt or innocence, the revelations are pathetic and demeaning to the persons involved; to the owners that are impacted; to the racetracks that allow entry; to the game, as a whole.

But this is not new to our sport.

After all, this week’s “incident” is not the first time that someone has drug the industry into the muck pit and cast dispersions on the entire sport and all of its’ participants with morally corrupt behavior that has spilled into the public domain and is deplorable, at a minimum, if not outright illegal.

Remember the allegations against trainer Peter Miller and his temper tantrums, tirades and cursing abuses of employees and others? Anger management classes, apparently, are not enough.

Remember the allegation that jockey Kent Desormeaux used a series of racial slurs in a backside altercation incident at Del Mar a couple of years ago? Zero tolerance should be the mandate. Not a consideration.

Remember the obnoxious Facebook posts of well-known bloodstock agent Tommy Van Meter, who used a series of racist comments on social media? Totally unacceptable.

Now, this week’s revelations and “Made For Court TV” footage?

Major League Baseball has confronted these issues with the Player’s Association and now has specific and stern rules in place that govern personal behavior, both on the field and off. Former Cy Young winning pitcher Trevor Bauer is currently serving a 2-year suspension for personal behavior allegations that spilled into the court rooms.

The National Football League must have a full-time staff to deal with all the issues that have surfaced regarding some — if not way, way, way too many — of its’ players. The latest is the suspension of quarterback Deshaun Watson? But he is just the latest.

Now, it is time for HISA to emulate the other major sports industries and develop a similar “Standard Code of Conduct” that outlines penalties and punishments for violations that bring negative publicity and criticism to a game that needs no more embarrassing incidents.

We should not have to wait for the court proceedings to drag their way through days, weeks, months ahead.

We should not have to depend on Stewards and state regulators to do what is needed to be done.

We should have standard, universal, and significant rules that demand better from all of the sport’s participants. And, we should have penalties for those that violate them, too.

We should have rules that govern backside workers all the way to the most influential and wealthy owner. Period.

HISA needs to go to work.

#2: Dress Code for All Paddock & Winner’s Circle Participants:

No matter the track. No matter the venue. No matter the situation.

There should be a standardized “dress code” for anyone and everyone that enters a paddock or a winner’s circle of a racetrack in North America.

It is way past time that persons wearing ripped tee shirts; dirty blue jeans; shirts with deplorable language scrolled or printed on either the front or the back; and all other questionable attire is allowed in the venues that get the most TV and public disclosure.

And, before anyone goes there, this applies to everyone. Every. Single. Person. Not just the grooms or the hot walkers. Not just the trainer’s staff.

The racetrack staff — including the outrides and pony people — should have uniforms that depict professionalism.

The owners and their guests should have enough credibility that anyone wearing tube tops and other clothing that exposes more skin than a Netflix movie are not permitted access.

If the trainers and the owners cannot ensure this minimum standard of attire, then should they be responsible for horses, to begin with?

I say not.

HISA needs to go to work.

#3: Universal Training & Education for All Stewards:

Simply put, there are too many variations on what constitutes a “foul” in our sport and game today. Simply put, there are way too many deviations on what Stewards require for a “disqualification.” Simply put, there are way, way, way too many decisions that simply vary on jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

The industry desperately needs one set of rules; one set of guidelines; one set of “eyes” to determine what is and what are reasons for disqualifications that can provide more universal application from track to track; state to state.

Nearly every other major sport is undergoing constant revisions to ensure that the referee, umpire, and/or line judge make the right decision to give credibility to the sport and how a certain “ruling” may impact the game’s final outcome.

Football, basketball, baseball and tennis all have review processes in place now.

Football, basketball, baseball, tennis and soccer all have appeal processes in place, too.

Thoroughbred racing has had both of these processes for years, and, truly, has been a pioneer in these regards.

But there is a problem.

A serious and a growing problem.

A foul in one jurisdiction is not deemed as such in another. A serious foul at the start of a race that may eliminate a horse’s chances completely is not considered as important as a minor bump in the final yards that truly has little consequence. A set of Stewards in one part of the country may think that using the whip three times overhanded is an abuse, while a set of Stewards in another jurisdiction may think one tap underhanded is too much. A set of Stewards in Indiana may have the ability to review a drone footage, (thank goodness) while a set of Stewards in Texas may not (sadly).

Inexcusable.

Most bettors today play multiple jurisdictions and racetracks. Bettors have a right to feel confident that the rules are the same. Everywhere. Bettors have a right to know that the Stewards in California have been trained adequately, professionally and approved critically as the Stewards in Kentucky or New York. And, vice versa.  Betttors should know that a foul in one place is a foul in another place, too.

This may require that HISA retain an all-star panel to review inquiries and video footage on a regular basis to determine that the Stewards are, in fact, holding to the same standards and ultimate decisions. But an investment in this training, and review is drastically needed. Drastically.

HISA needs to go to work.

The Next 3 “Suggestions” Will Come On Monday.

Stay tuned.