Keeneland has announced security measures for horses participating in the $1 million GI Toyota Blue Grass S. Apr. 4.
Horses competing in the Blue Grass are required to be on the Keeneland grounds 54 hours in advance of the race, no later than noon Apr. 2. Each competito will have 24-hour security from noon Apr. 2 until post time, which is 6:00 p.m. Apr. 4.
Keeneland requires horses participating in all other stakes during the Spring Meet, including the GI Central Bank Ashland S. and GI Madison S., also held Apr. 4, to be on the grounds four hours prior to post time for their stakes. Each stakes entrant will be placed under security watch at that time.
“These enhanced protocols ensure the integrity of the Toyota Blue Grass and our entire racing program, and serve to protect the public and our fans,” said Keeneland Vice President of Racing W.B. Rogers Beasley.
Keeneland has mandated the following protocols and steps for horses participating in the Toyota Blue Grass:
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) will take out-of-competition blood samples of horses competing in the Toyota Blue Grass and send them to LGC Science Inc. in Lexington, Ky., for immediate testing. The KHRC will coordinate with other jurisdictions to obtain out-of-competition samples from horses that are not stabled in Kentucky.
Horses competing in the Toyota Blue Grass are required to be on the Keeneland grounds 54 hours in advance of the race, no later than noon Apr. 2, and remain on the grounds until after the running of the race. Exceptions will only be granted in the case of an unforeseeable emergency, as determined by Keeneland security in consultation with the Stewards.
Twenty-four-hour security for each entrant will begin at noon on Apr. 2 and end at 6 p.m., post time for the Toyota Blue Grass Apr. 4.
Horses shall stay in their trainers' current barns and stalls on the grounds, which shall be monitored at all times by additional security personnel.
Trainers shall submit a list of treating veterinarians to the Stewards no later than noon on Apr. 2.
The stalls for all horses entered in the Toyota Blue Grass shall have an identifying marker on them.
Security personnel will monitor all treatments performed by veterinarians. All containers for medications administered will be retained by the KHRC for possible testing.
A full daily veterinarian's record of all medications and treatments given to horses from noon Thursday, Apr. 2, until after the running of the race shall be provided to the KHRC Chief Veterinarian located in the detention barn.
Entry-exit logs will be maintained by security personnel. All persons – including grooms, 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 possess a valid KHRC license. Each person will be logged in by security personnel with the reason for their visit.
All equipment, feed, hay bales, etc., are subject to search and seizure, as provided by law, by both Keeneland and the KHRC.
As is current policy, Lasix administration will take place in the horse's own stall by a KHRC veterinarian. Syringes will be preserved by the KHRC for possible testing.
The KHRC, in conjunction with Keeneland, will appoint a single 24-hour point person each day for trainers and connections to contact in case of an emergency.
On Saturday, Apr. 4, no treatment will be permitted (beyond Lasix for specifically designated horses) unless it is for an emergency or as approved by the Stewards.
On Saturday, Apr. 4, horses participating in the Toyota Blue Grass will be required to be in the Assembly Barn between 45 minutes to one-hour before post time for TC02 testing. They will then be escorted with security personnel to the Paddock.
Toyota Blue Grass participants will receive priority for Paddock schooling with security personnel present.
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