NYRA Establishes Fixed Security Protocols

The New York State Gaming Commission and The New York Racing Association has established standing security protocols for horses racing in Grade 1 races with purses of $1 million or more. The new protocols will begin with the GI TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial S. Apr. 4 at Aqueduct. 
“The new protocols are the most efficient and effective means by which to ensure the utmost integrity for New York's premiere racing events,” said Commission Executive Director Robert Williams. “They bring unparalleled transparency to the sport and instill confidence of a level playing field for the horse, the rider, the connections and the public.” 
The Commission and NYRA have developed two similar sets of security protocols for the 11 Grade I races with purses of $1 million or more taking place at NYRA tracks. 
Horses running in the GI Belmont S., GI Whitney H. and GI Travers S. will be subject to Group “A” protocols, including 72-hour “dedicated watch” by security personnel, which involves each horse receiving their own full-time guard. 
Participants in the Wood Memorial, GI Ogden Phipps S., GI Metropolitan H., GI Manhattan S., GI Sword Dancer S., GI Belmont Oaks, GI Belmont Derby and the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup will be subject to Group “B” protocols. Group “B” protocols include “intensified watch” by a team of six to eight security guards conducting mobile surveillance and horse checks at least three times per shift from 72 to 30 hours prior to the race. After the 30-hour mark, it switches to dedicated watch. 
For all horses drawn and programmed into Group “A” and “B” Races: 
•Horses must be on the grounds of the host NYRA facility no later than 72 hours prior to their anticipated post time. Exceptions will be at the discretion of the Stewards. 
•The Commission will take out-of-competition blood samples of horses competing in these races and send them to New York State Equine Drug Testing and Research Program at Morrisville State College for immediate testing. The Commission will coordinate with other jurisdictions to obtain out-of-competition samples from horses that are not stabled in New York. 
•Once arrived, horses must remain on the NYRA facility grounds until after the running of the specified race. Exceptions will only be granted in the case of an unforeseeable emergency, as determined by the dedicated watch security in consultation with the Stewards. For applicable races at either Belmont or Aqueduct, horses may be stabled at either facility to be considered on NYRA grounds. 
•Horses shall reside in their trainers' current barns and/or at stalls on the grounds, which shall be monitored at all times by additional security personnel. 
•Commission personnel will monitor all treatments of participating horses performed by veterinarians prior to the scheduled post times of the respective races and examine all paraphernalia. No veterinarians will treat horses without first making an appointment with Commission investigators. 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 72 hours prior to the race 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 this issue is resolved. The Commission will post these records on its Web site each day. 
•Stall entry/exit logs will be maintained by security personnel. All persons including grooms, veterinarians, trainers, assistant trainers, farriers, owners or other connections must have a valid Commission license or NYRA badge on their person before entering the stall, engaging in contact with the horse or performing any service for the horse. All visits will be logged in by security along with the reason for the visit. Routine stall and horse maintenance by identified grooms and staff will be monitored but will be exempt from logging. 
•All equipment, feed, hay bales, etc. will be subject to search and seizure, as provided by law, by both NYRA and the Commission. 
•As is current policy, Lasix administration will take place in the horses' own stalls by a NYRA veterinarian administrator. Syringes will be preserved by the Commission for possible testing. 
•On race day, no treatments will be permitted (other than Lasix for specifically designated horses) unless it is for an emergency or as approved by the Stewards. 
•All horses participating in the applicable race must report to the Assembly Barn no less than 45 minutes to their designated Post Time. Each individual trainer is responsible for ascertaining their designated Post Time. TCO2 blood sampling will take place in the Assembly Barn before horses are escorted to the paddock. A fine or a scratch may be issued by the NYRA Steward if horses are late to the Assembly Barn. 
•Participants in these races will receive priority for paddock schooling with security personnel present. 
“For more than two and a half years, the New York Racing Association has implemented extensive reforms which are further preserving and enhancing the integrity of our racing operations,” said New York Racing Association Chief Executive Officer and President Christopher Kay. “The new protocols developed with the New York State Gaming Commission are the next steps in this important, and continuing, transformation.”