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Strict protocols installed for Belmont participants
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has put forth a comprehensive
protocols for horses running in the June 9 Belmont Stakes in order to ensure the
safety of horses and riders, and to ensure that the integrity of the sport is
upheld.
"Millions of race fans from around the world will be witnessing a historic
spectacle at New York's beautiful Belmont Park on June 9, and the Racing and
Wagering Board will ensure that the race is run in a safe and fair manner,"
Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John D. Sabini said. "The protocols put forth
here will protect horses, riders and the betting public and underscore the
symbolism of the world-class racing held in New York State."
Beginning Wednesday, June 6, all horses entered in the Belmont Stakes will be
required to be stalled in a secured area at Belmont Park, known as a stakes
barn. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will designate the specific
location of the stakes barn and ensure that all entered horses be stalled at the
location until the conclusion of the race. Racing and Wagering Board personnel
and the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau will assist in security of the
Stakes Barn, which will be subjected to scrutinized oversight.
All horses running in the Belmont Stakes, upon arrival at the stakes barn on
June 6, will be required to have an out-of-competition blood test, which will be
sent to the Board's Drug Lab that evening for immediate review.
The stakes barn will operate under the following procedures beginning noon,
June 6, 2012:
Limited number of personnel will be permitted to enter, including NYRA
and RWB staff, the licensed trainer, licensed assistant trainer, licensed
veterinarian, licensed groom, licensed hot walker and licensed owner(s).
Entry-exit logs: All persons entering the stall, engaged in contact with
the horse or performing any service for the horse must be licensed and must
also be logged in including the reason(s) for the specific visit or
function to be performed. NYRA will maintain the log with Board oversight.
Routine stall and horse management by a groom will be monitored but be
exempt from separate logging. If a trainer, assistant trainer, vet or a NYRA
vet enters the stall, they should be placed on the log and the reason(s) for
the visit noted on the log.
Administrative searches and checks of all equipment, feed, hay, bales,
etc.
Limited and controlled veterinary access -- monitoring of veterinary
approach to an entered horse. All veterinarians will be logged in and
escorted.
Guards will be placed at each open doorway or doors will be kept closed
with one entry point only.
NYRA will assign additional security guards to the stakes barn at all
times beginning Wednesday, June 6 through the running of the race.
Thoroughbred Racing Protecting Bureau (TRPB) will provide investigators
on Thursday, June 7, remaining on site through the running of the Belmont
Stakes.
No food and beverage for human consumption will be allowed in or around
stall space.
Horses will be identified upon arrival and assigned to a specific
(numbered) stall.
Lasix administration will take place in designated stalls only by a NYRA
veterinarian.
NYRA will designate a specific press area at the stakes barn.
From noon, Wednesday, June 6, 2012 and until the race, all vets will
provide written notice of intended treatment prior to treatment of the
horse. Any changes must be noted.
From noon, Wednesday, June 6, 2012 and until the race, RWB investigators
will monitor all treatments performed by vets and examine all paraphernalia.
On Friday, June 8, no vets will treat horses without first making an
appointment with RWB investigators. On Saturday, June 9, treatment will only
be permitted for emergency or by agreement with the Stewards.
While NYRA security will be responsible for logging ingress and egress and
monitoring the areas surrounding the stakes barn, RWB investigators will provide
surveillance within the stakes barn beginning on Wednesday, June 6 continuously
up and to the conclusion of the Belmont Stakes on June 9, as noted above. RWB
will have personnel to effectively monitor horses in the stakes barn as well as
the other horses on the grounds of Belmont. The stakes barn will only be used
for horses that are participating in the actual Belmont Stakes race.
RWB licensing personnel will ensure that all participants at Belmont are
properly receipted or licensed. Additionally, safeguards throughout the grounds
are being implemented:
Beginning Monday, June 4, all individuals coming to the backstretch must
carry their licenses and valid I.D. with them at all times. Any person
without valid licensure will be denied entry to the grounds, unless they are
identified visitors accompanied by the licensed person they are visiting.
All persons living on track premises will be checked for valid licensure
prior to Friday, June 1.
Non-licensee parking within the confines of the backstretch at Belmont
will be banned, including those persons who arrive in a licensee vehicle who
are not themselves licensed.
Using the stable area as a walk through path to the clubhouse/grandstand
area will be prohibited.
Stewards will provide all participants a copy of the Board's drug rules.
NYRA will have additional roving security teams during Belmont Stakes day,
overseeing the handling and movement of Belmont Stakes horses.
Bet the Belmont Stakes at TwinSpires.com
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