This week, the New York State Gaming Commission, informed the public that it will be imposing expanded security measures for the two Grade 1 races on the weekend. The events in question are the Whitney Stakes and the Saratoga Derby Invitational, which will be taking place on NYRA’s Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
The commission’s Equine Medical Director Scott E. Palmer, VMD as well as the three Stewards – Braulio Baeza, Jr., Dr. Jennifer Durenberger and Brook Hawkins will be at the track. After the races, they will be available to address any questions regarding potential incidents, injuries, inquiries, objections, or rulings that might have occurred during the races.
Protocols in Place
According to the regulator, security protocols for the Whitney Stakes, state that a horse which will participate in it must be subject to 72-hour dedicated watch by experienced security personnel until the race. Meanwhile, horses of the Saratoga Derby International must be subject to intensified watch by a team of six-to-eight experienced security personnel with both mobile and direct monitoring.
There are also protocols that are in motion for all horses of the two Grade 1 events on Saturday. For instance, all horses must be at the track no later than 72 hours prior to their post time. The regulator will take blood samples of horses competing in the races and then test the samples at the New York Equine Drug Testing and Research Program at Morrisville State College
After arriving at the track, horses are obligated to remain at the track until the end of their respectful race. They must also reside at their trainers’ barns or stalls on the premises. The regulator also informed that no administration of any medication or substance by dose syringe is permitted 24 hours before a race. And all syringes and containers for administered medication will be retained by the commission.
Veterinarians must also submit a 72-hour treatment plan for each horse by noon on August 3, 2022. Veterinary records will be submitted to the regulator, which will review and then publicly announce the records on its website. While entry and exit logs will be recorded by trained staff of both NYRA and the commission. Full details on the protocols can be found on the regulator’s website.
Off to a Great Start
Saratoga Race Course’s heavily-anticipated 2022 summer meet kicked off on July 14, 2022, and according to NYRA, it enjoyed a flying start. the organization revealed for the first four days of racing the track has accumulated 18% more wagers and has witnessed 10% more attendance in comparison to the same period last year. Attendance also upped to 103,254 this year in comparison to the previous 94,078.
In July Amplify Horse Racing revealed that it will be putting efforts to educate younger generations about the importance and impact of the horse racing sport. That is why the organization will host special behind-the-scene experience tours at the historic Saratoga Race Course. Through “Amplifying the Future of Racing,” young ones can learn about the workforce and international opportunities in the Thoroughbred sport.
Source: “NYSGC Announces Whitney, Saratoga Derby Protocols”, BloodHorse, August 2, 2022
