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Security measures enhanced for Jockey Club Gold Cup
The New York State Gaming Commission and The New York Racing Association (NYRA)
on Friday announced enhanced security measures for horses competing in the
September 28 Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Horses competing in the $1 million race will be subject to early
out-of-competition blood testing for banned substances and will be required to
be on Belmont Park's grounds by September 25. In addition, horses will be
subject to 24 hour monitoring at their trainers' own barns and stalls on the
grounds. The Gaming Commission is also requiring the submission of veterinary
records for participating horses for three days leading up to the race, which
will be published on the Commission's Web site starting September 25.
"The Jockey Club Gold Cup will be conducted with protocols that provide a
safe environment for horses and riders," said Robert Williams, Acting Executive
Director of the New York State Gaming Commission. "These measures, used in other
high-stakes races in New York, have proved successful and demonstrate New York's
continued commitment to racing integrity, safety and transparency."
"These steps will help ensure that Belmont Park's richest and most
prestigious race of the fall meet is conducted in the safest and fairest manner
possible," said Chris Kay, CEO and President of The New York Racing Association.
"We thank the New York State Gaming Commission for its assistance in
establishing these important protocols on behalf of our horsemen and fans."
The Gaming Commission has mandated the following protocols and steps for the
horses participating in the Jockey Club Gold Cup:
The Gaming Commission will take out-of-competition blood samples of
horses competing in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and send them to the New York
State's Equine Drug Testing Program at SUNY Morrisville for immediate
testing. Preliminary results of the testing are expected to be complete
prior to the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Horses participating in the Jockey Club Gold Cup must be on the Belmont
Park grounds by noon (EDT) on September 25. Any exceptions will be at the
discretion of the Stewards.
Horses will stay in their trainers' current barns and stalls at Belmont,
which will be monitored at all times by additional security personnel.
Security personnel will monitor all treatments performed by
veterinarians and examine all paraphernalia. All containers for medications
administered will be retained by the Commission for possible testing.
A full daily veterinarian's record of all medications and treatments
given to horses from noon September 25 until the race is run will be
provided to the Commission. Any changes to treatment must be disclosed to
the Commission. If medications and treatment records are not provided to the
Commission in a timely manner and prior to treatment, veterinarians will not
be permitted to treat the horse until the issue is resolved. The Commission
will post these records on its Web site each day leading up to the race.
Entry-exit logs will be maintained by additional security from NYRA and
the Commission. All persons -- including veterinarians, trainers, assistant
trainers, farriers, owners or other connections -- on entering the stall, or
engaging in contact with the horse or performing any service for the horse
must have a valid Commission license on their person. Such persons will be
logged in by security personnel with the reason for their visit. Routine
stall and horse maintenance by identified grooms and staff will be monitored
but will be exempt from logging in.
All equipment, feed, hay bales, etc. are subject to administrative
searches and checks.
As is current policy, Lasix administration will take place in the
horses' own stalls by a NYRA veterinarian. Syringes will be preserved by the
Commission for possible testing.
On September 28, no veterinarians will treat horses without first making
an appointment with Commission investigators.
The Commission, in conjunction with NYRA, will appoint a single, 24-hour
point person each day for trainers and connections to contact in case of an
emergency.
On September 28, no treatment will be permitted unless it is for an
emergency or as approved by the Stewards.
On September 28, horses participating in the Jockey Club Gold Cup will
be required to be in the Assembly barn between 45 minutes to 1 hour before
post time for TC02 testing. They will then be escorted with security to the
paddock.
Jockey Club Gold Cup participants will receive priority for paddock
schooling with security present.
The Commission and NYRA will provide educational materials on the protocols
to horsepersons, connections, veterinarians, security and all appropriate
parties prior to and on September 25 at Belmont Park.
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