NTRA Resumes Re-Accreditation Process of Racetracks
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Photo: Race Track Industry Program/Veronica R. Branson
Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the NTRA
Following an eight-month hiatus from conducting on-track accreditation visits due to the impact of COVID-19, the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance has begun the process of re-accrediting racetracks, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced April 22.
Accreditation by the Alliance has taken on additional meaning following the passage of The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in December 2020. The HISA federal regulations, which are set to be enacted in July 2022, note that the HISA's new Authority may extend provisional or interim accreditation to a racetrack accredited by the Alliance.
Applications for Alliance accreditation are available on the NTRA website, as is the current Alliance Code of Standards.
"Racetracks across the nation are gradually beginning to welcome back customers and participants, so it is time to begin the process of re-accrediting many of the 21 racetracks currently accredited by the Alliance," said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the NTRA. "The Alliance will also consider applications from other non-accredited racetracks that wish to be accredited before the expected launch of HISA in 2022."
In determining accreditation, an audit is performed by an Alliance inspection team that carefully examines each applicant's operations and conducts interviews with track management and personnel. That group includes track superintendents, racing office officials, track veterinarians and safety officers, as well as jockeys, owners, trainers, stewards, regulatory veterinarians, wagering security officials, customers, and others to confirm full compliance with the Alliance Code of Standards.
The 21 racetracks currently accredited by the Alliance are Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, Canterbury Park, Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Ellis Park, Finger Lakes, Golden Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park, Indiana Grand, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Laurel Park, Monmouth Park, Parx Racing, Pimlico Race Course, Santa Anita Park, Saratoga Race Course, Sunland Park, Turfway Park, and Woodbine.