Enhanced Security For NY GI Races

The New York State Gaming Commission and The New York Racing Association will continue enhanced security protocols for horses racing in Grade I races with purses of $1 million or more, starting with the Apr. 9 GI Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct.

The Commission and NYRA employ two similar sets of security protocols (Group “A” and Group “B”) for the 11 Grade I races with purses of $1 million or more at NYRA tracks taking place in 2016.

Horses running in the GI Belmont S., the GI Whitney S. and the GI Travers S. will be subject to Group “A” protocols, which include continuous 72-hour “dedicated watch” by experienced security personnel leading to post-time. During a “dedicated watch,” one guard is stationed full-time for every horse programmed.

Horses running in the Wood Memorial, the GI Ogden Phipps S., the GI NYRA.com Metropolitan H., the GI Manhattan S., the GI Sword Dancer S., the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational, the GI Belmont Derby Invitational and the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup will be subject to Group “B” protocols, which include “intensified watch” by a team of six to eight experienced security personnel conducting mobile surveillance and direct horse checks at least three times per shift from 72 to 30 hours prior to their race, with continuous “dedicated watch” taking place for the final 30 hours before post-time.

All guards employed for Group “A” and Group “B” protocols consist of experienced NYRA security personnel and investigators who receive ongoing education from the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) and the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP).

All horses in Group “A” or Group “B” races must adhere to the following protocol:

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 they arrive, 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 website 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 prior 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.

“These protocols have been in place in New York State for several years and have proven to be effective in ensuring integrity for New York's premiere racing events,” said Commission Executive Director Robert Williams. “The measures continue to 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 New York Racing Association appreciates the assistance of the New York State Gaming Commission in establishing these protocols,” said NYRA Chief Executive Officer and President Christopher Kay. “We remain committed to ensuring our races are conducted in the safest and most transparent manner for the horses, the horsemen and our guests.”