Mercer Times

TRENTON – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced the retirement of Judith A. Nason from the New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC). As Executive Director, Nason played a critical role in ensuring the safety and integrity of the horse racing industry in New Jersey.

“Judy Nason has been an exemplary public servant for over three decades, and an exceptional leader of the Racing Commission since 2018,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Her career has been guided by integrity, professionalism, and a genuine care of the horses, jockeys, and racing participants that make up the horse racing industry in New Jersey. While I will miss her guidance and expertise, I wish her the happiest of retirements. In light of her departure, I would like to thank Assistant Director Tom Salerno for assuming an interim leadership role during this transition period.”

“It has been an honor working for the State of New Jersey and overseeing the thrill and excitement of thoroughbred and standardbred racing,” said Executive Director Nason. “NJRC employees are the best at what they do, and I am pleased that over the years we have improved the conditions for horses and instituted other enhancements to ensure the integrity of the sport.”

The NJRC is a nine-member bipartisan body appointed by the Governor and staffed by career employees including investigators to oversee racing activities; licensing staff; financial staff monitoring pari-mutuel wagering; veterinarians examining horses before races; and officials known as “judges” and “stewards” overseeing standardbred and thoroughbred races.

Under Nason’s leadership, NJRC implemented several measures to enhance safety in horse racing. Notably, New Jersey became the first state to prohibit whipping thoroughbreds with riding crops except for immediate safety purposes. An amendment was also adopted restricting whip use in harness racing to wrist action only.

Nason directed efforts to adopt enhanced reporting requirements related to equine fatalities. Trainers must now submit an Equine Fatality Report within 48 hours after a horse's death on racetrack grounds or off-track training facilities. Additionally, post-mortem necropsies are required along with treatment records from attending veterinarians covering 30 days prior to death. These measures provide data crucial for analyzing causes of death, identifying trends or concerns, and preventing at-risk horses from racing.

Focusing on participant health and safety, Nason spearheaded regulations allowing race postponements or cancellations due to serious risks such as extreme weather conditions. She also managed NJRC's response during COVID-19, overseeing racetrack closures and re-openings.

Following the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's passage in 2020, Nason facilitated its implementation in New Jersey through an agreement with HISA. This allowed NJRC stewards and veterinarians to enforce racetrack safety rules without interrupting thoroughbred racing post-July 1, 2022.

Nason began her tenure with the Division of Law in January 1993 as a Deputy Attorney General providing legal advice to NJRC for 13 years before becoming Deputy Director in November 2014. She served as Acting Executive Director starting July 2018 until her official appointment on May 15, 2019.

Assistant Director Thomas Salerno will assume Interim Director duties pending NJRC Commissioners' appointment of a new Executive Director. Salerno joined NJRC in May 2013 initially as a judge at Freehold Raceway before progressing through various roles including Presiding Judge at Meadowlands Racetrack.