Pimlico fully accredited by NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance

Pimlico fully accredited by NTRA Safety and Integrity

Alliance

4. Frozen Sample Testing -- The MJC petitioned the Maryland Racing Commission

to adopt a rule allowing for frozen sample testing. The Commission is now

beginning the rule-writing process to adopt.

5. Security Assessment Review and Training -- Per Alliance requirements,

Pimlico submitted itself on May 6-7 to an independent assessment by

representatives of ORI (Organization of Racing Investigators).

6. Compliance Program -- Pimlico has provided to the Alliance, and

implemented, an effective compliance program that includes written documentation

of all protocols required under the Alliance's Code of Standards.

"We are pleased to grant Pimlico full accreditation following the many

positive steps it has taken since last year's provisional accreditation," said

Mike Ziegler, executive director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. "In

many instances, Pimlico had to go beyond the confines of its facility and lobby

the Maryland Racing Commission for rules that would allow it to comply with the

Alliance's rigorous Code of Standards. We salute Pimlico's dedication and

perseverance on behalf of its athletes."

"We are delighted that Pimlico has been accorded full accreditation by the

NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance inspection team," said Tom Chuckas, president

of the Maryland Jockey Club. "It was our goal to affirm Pimlico's rightful place

among tracks which have already undergone and passed this rigorous process. We

believe Pimlico and the entire Maryland racing community is now the better for

it.

Pimlico now becomes the 17th racing facility to be fully accredited by the

Alliance. Churchill Downs and Keeneland were accredited in April 2009; Belmont

Park received accreditation in May 2009; Delaware Park and Hollywood Park were

accredited last June; Monmouth Park was accredited in July; Arlington Park and

Saratoga Race Course received accreditation in August; Calder Race Course,

Turfway Park and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club were accredited in September; Oak

Tree at Santa Anita/Santa Anita Park received accreditation in October; Fair

Grounds and Aqueduct Racetrack were accredited in December; Golden Gate Fields

was accredited last February; and Woodbine received accreditation in March.

The Alliance, formed in October 2008 with the goal of establishing national

uniform standards in the areas of safety and integrity, includes 55 racetracks

in North America and every major national horsemen's organization. Alliance

certification standards cover six broad areas: injury reporting and prevention;

creating a safer racing environment; aftercare and transition of retired

racehorses; uniform medication, testing and penalties; safety research; and

wagering security. Within those six categories, specific standards focus on

areas including:

*                    

Systematic reporting of equine injuries

*                    

Aftercare of racehorses

*                    

Pre- and post-race veterinary examinations

*                    

Post-mortem examinations

*                    

Health and safety of jockeys

*                    

Riding crops and their use

*                    

Horse shoes and hoof care

*                    

Safety research

*                    

Safety equipment for jockeys and horse handlers

*                    

Exogenous Anabolic Steroids

*                    

Alkalinizing agents (TCO2)

*                    

On-track emergency medical care for humans and equines

*                    

Out-of-competition testing

*                    

Freezing and retrospective testing of post race samples

*                    

Continuing education

*                    

Security assessment and training

*                    

Totalizator technology and "stop wagering" protocols

*                    

Wagering incident investigation

The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance is a standing organization whose

purpose is to establish standards and practices to promote safety and integrity

in horseracing and to secure their implementation. Information on the Alliance,

including the Alliance Code of Standards, can be found at

www.NTRAalliance.com.

The Honorable Tommy G. Thompson, former four-term Governor of Wisconsin and

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, serves as independent monitor of

the Alliance and will provide public reports on Alliance progress in instituting

safety and integrity standards.