NYSGC Announces Whitney and Saratoga Derby Protocols

The New York State Gaming Commission Equine Medical Director and the three commissioners will be made available to the media to address any incidents occurring during the races on August 6, 2022 at Saratoga Racetrack. At the end of the day’s races, Equine Medical Director Scott E. Palmer, VMD and the three stewards—Braulio Baeza, Jr. (Commission), Dr. Jennifer Durenberger (The Jockey Club) and Brook Hawkins (NYRA)—will be available in the Stewards’ Stand to answer questions from the media regarding any incidents, injuries, inquiries, objections or rulings that occurred during any of the day’s races.

Additionally, Dr. Palmer will be available to speak to the media in the event of on-track incidents related to equine health that occur during the day. Should an incident occur, Dr. Palmer will be available for a press conference following the conclusion of the impacted race in his office, located immediately adjacent to the Dunkin Donuts concession stand. Dr. Louis Castro, on-call veterinarian for the American Association of Equine Practitioners, will provide media support for NBC’s coverage of the Whitney Stakes.

Security protocols for the Whitney Stakes:

Horses racing in the Whitney Stakes are subject to continuous 72-hour “dedicated surveillance” by experienced security personnel leading up to post-time. During a “dedicated shift”, a guard is posted full time for each horse scheduled.

Security protocols for the Saratoga Derby Invitational:

Horses racing in the Saratoga Derby Invitational are subject to “heightened surveillance” by a team of six to eight experienced security personnel performing mobile surveillance and direct checks on horses at least three times per 72 shift. 30 hours before their race, with a continuous “dedicated watch” for the last 30 hours before the start time.

All guards employed for these protocols are experienced NYRA security personnel and race investigators, who receive ongoing training from the Race Investigators Organization.

For all Whitney Stakes and Saratoga Derby Invitational horses:

• Horses must be on the Saratoga Racetrack grounds no later than 72 hours prior to scheduled tee time. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Stewards.
  • The Commission will obtain out-of-competition blood samples from horses participating in these races and have them tested at the New York Equine Drug Testing and Research Program at Morrisville State College.
  • The Commission coordinated with other jurisdictions to obtain out-of-competition samples from horses not housed in New York.
  • Once arrived, horses must remain at the Saratoga Racetrack until the specified race is completed. Exceptions will only be granted in the event of an unforeseeable emergency, as determined by dedicated shift security in consultation with veterinarians and stewards.
  • Horses must reside in the current stables of their trainers and/or in boxes in the field, which are subject to the supervision of security personnel.
  • No horse entered in the Whitney Stakes or the Saratoga Derby Invitational may be attended to within 72 hours of the race unless Commission security personnel are present. NYRA or Commission security personnel will monitor all treatments performed by veterinarians.
  • No administration of medication or substance by dosing syringe is authorized within 24 hours of a race.
  • All syringes and containers for the drugs administered will be kept by Commission staff for possible analyses.
  • Veterinarians must submit a 72-hour treatment plan for each horse entered in the Whitney Stakes or Saratoga Derby Invitational by noon August 3, 2022.
    • Complete veterinary records for the 72 hours preceding the Whitney Stakes and Saratoga Derby Invitational must be submitted to the Commission, which will review and then publicly post the records on its website.
  • Entry and exit logs will be maintained by NYRA and Commission security personnel.
    • All persons – including veterinarians, trainers, assistant trainers, farriers, owners or other relations – who enter the box, come into contact with the horse or perform any service for the horse, must have a valid Commission license on their person.
    • These people will be connected by security personnel, along with the reason for their visit.
    • Routine maintenance of stalls and horses by identified grooms and staff will be monitored, but they are exempt from logging.
  • All equipment, feed, hay bales, etc. are subject to search and seizure by both NYRA and the Commission as required by law.
  • On race day, no treatments will be permitted for horses entered in stakes racing in accordance with NYRA policy, except in an emergency or as approved by the Stewards.
  • All horses competing in the Whitney Stakes and Saratoga Derby Invitational must report to Assembly Barn at least 45 minutes prior to the designated tee time.
  • On race day, blood samples for TCO2 analysis will be taken from the horses in the mounting stable between 45 minutes and 1 hour before the start time. The horses will then be escorted to the paddock.

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