Security and pre-race procedures have been announced for all horses scheduled to compete in Saturday's Preakness at Pimlico Race Course.
All Preakness entrants must be on the grounds and situated in Barns D, E and C by noon on Thursday. Blood specimens will be drawn for all prospective runners later that afternoon.
Security cameras are installed and will be operational in those three barns upon the arrival of new barn occupants, and access to each barn will be permitted only at each corner. All persons must sign in when entering any of those barns.
Pre-race exams on Saturday will begin at 8 a.m. and horses must be “clean-legged” and out of ice treatments until after they are examined. Practicing veterinarians will provide the Racing Commission with a list of treatments prior to administration except in an emergency.
No practicing veterinarian other than the one administering salix (Lasix) shall be allowed into those barns after 6:15 p.m. on Friday without approval from the state veterinarian and the stewards, unless it is a documented emergency. All salix must be administered no later than three hours prior to post time or the horse will be scratched.
Pre-race blood samples will be drawn from all horses entered in graded stakes races on the Preakness program. A Racing Commission representative will supervise all treatments.
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