Following the lead of New York for its biggest races, Keeneland announced Thursday enhanced security measures for horses competing in the April 12 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.
All horses running in the Kentucky Derby prep race must be on the grounds by 8 a.m. on April 10, the day after entries are taken.
From that time on, the Blue Grass horses will have round-the-clock security, including observation of treatments, all containers for administered medications will be kept by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for possible testing, the full veterinarian records for all medications and treatments must be provided to the commission’s chief veterinarian and entry-exit logs will be maintained for all persons entering the stall or engaging in contact with the horse. In addition, all equipment, feed and hay bales are subject to search and seizure.
The racing commission last weekend started the process of taking out-of-competition blood samples to test for blood-doping agents and growth hormones. Kentucky’s racing regulations allow for such testing of a broad group of horses, including any nominated for a stakes in the commonwealth. Dr. Mary Scollay, the KHRC’s equine medical director, said they are focusing on horses most likely to participate and that it’s an ongoing process.
The commission is coordinating with other jurisdictions to obtain the samples of horses not stabled in Kentucky.
The measures pattern those implemented by the New York Racing Association for the 2012 Belmont Stakes and continued for other races such as the Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup. NYRA made one change after that first Belmont, however, allowing horses to remain in their original barn and stall instead of moving to a detention barn.
Such security will be in place for Saturday’s Wood Memorial in New York, as well as the Santa Anita Derby, which went to the protocols for last year’s race. This is the first time the Blue Grass has implemented the measures, with horses in the past frequently shipping from Churchill Downs the morning of the race.
“These protocols, similar to those followed by the New York Racing Association and other major racing venues, ensure that the Toyota Blue Grass will be run with the utmost integrity,” said Rogers Beasley, Keeneland’s vice president of racing, in a release. “They will provide enhanced protection for the participants and our fans, and guarantee a level and safe playing field for all.”
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