Keeneland Announces Guidelines For Blue Grass

New security measures will be employed for horses participating in the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), Keeneland announced March 25.



Horses competing in the Blue Grass April 4 are required to be on the Keeneland grounds 54 hours in advance of the race, no later than noon April 2. Twenty-four-hour security for each entrant will begin at that time until the 6 p.m. post time for the Blue Grass. Exceptions for the 54-hour rule will only be granted in the case of unforeseeable emergency, as determined by Keeneland security in consultation with track stewards.



Keeneland requires horses participating in all other stakes during its spring meet, including the April 4 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) and Madison Stakes (gr. I), to be on the grounds four hours prior to post time. Each stakes entrant will be placed under security watch at that time.



"These enhanced protocols ensure the integrity of the Toyota Blue Grass and our entire racing program, and serve to protect the public and our fans," said Rogers Beasley, Keeneland's vice president of racing.



The Lexington track has also mandated the following protocols and steps for horses participating in the Blue Grass:



• The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will take out-of-competition blood samples from horses competing in the Blue Grass and send them to LGC Science Inc. in Lexington for immediate testing. The KHRC will coordinate with other jurisdictions to obtain out-of-competition samples from horses not stabled in Kentucky.

• Keeneland-based horses will stay in their barns and stalls but they will be monitored at all times by additional security personnel.

• Trainers shall submit a list of treating veterinarians to track stewards no later than noon, April 2.

• The stalls for all horses entered in the Blue Grass shall have an identifying marker on them.

• Security personnel will monitor all treatments performed by veterinarians. All containers for medication administered will be retained by the KHRC for possible testing.

• A full daily veterinarian's record of all medications and treatments given to horses, from noon April 2 until after the running of the race, shall be provided to the KHRC chief veterinarian located in the detention barn. 

• Entry-exit logs will be maintained by security personnel. All persons—including grooms, veterinarians, trainers, assistant trainers, farriers, owners, or other connections—on entering the stall, or engaging in contact with the horse, must possess a valid KHRC license. Each person will be logged in by security personnel with the reason for their visit.

• All equipment, feed, hay, etc. is subject to search and seizure, as provided by law, by both Keeneland and the KHRC.

• Lasix administration will take place in the horse's own stall by a KHRC veterinarian. Syringes will be preserved by the KHRC for possible testing.

• The KHRC, in conjunction with Keeneland, will appoint a single 24-hour point person each day for trainers and connections to contact in case of emergency.

• On race day, no treatment will be permitted (beyond Lasix for specifically designated horses) unless it is for an emergency or as approved by the stewards.

• On race day, horses participating in the Blue Grass will be required to be in the assembly barn between 45 minutes and one hour before post time for TC02 testing. They will then be escorted with security personnel to the paddock.

• Blue Grass participants will receive priority for paddock schooling with security personnel present.