Finger Lakes Re-Accredited by Safety Alliance
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The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced May 1 that Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack has earned re-accreditation from the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Located in Farmington, N.Y., the 53-year-old track opens its live racing season May 1.
According to an NTRA release, the accreditation inspection team gave the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program a "best practice" grading in the area of aftercare and transition of retired racehorses, noting that the FLTAP is one of the best Thoroughbred aftercare programs in the nation.
"Assuring safe retirements and second careers for horses racing at accredited racetracks has always been a critical component of the Alliance code of standards," said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the NTRA. "Finger Lakes' adoption program stands out as a racing operation that understands the important role that aftercare and transition of retired racehorses plays in the overall safety of their racing operation."
More than 400 Thoroughbreds have found new homes and careers through FLTAP. While many become pleasure horses, others have been retrained and found success as jumpers. Three FLTAP horses have been accepted by the Retired Racehorse Project for this year's Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 23-25, the weekend prior to the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland.
In the final accreditation report, Finger Lakes was commended not only for a best practice in aftercare and transition of retired racehorses but also for exceeding the Alliance code of standards in the following areas of reporting of injuries and fatalities; pre-race veterinary examination protocols; post-race veterinary examination protocols; veterinarians' list protocols; safety vests and helmets; racing surfaces testing and data collection protocols; jockeys' insurance; race cancellation policy; and wagering pool due diligence.
"Finger Lakes has displayed diligence and a keen desire to do things right," said Steve Koch, executive director of the Safety & Integrity Alliance. "Finger Lakes management clearly has maximized their available track resources to achieve success in the areas of safety and integrity."
The reaccreditation of Finger Lakes was the culmination of a lengthy process that began with the track's completion of a 48-page written application and continued as Finger Lakes hosted several meetings with Alliance officials. An on-site review included inspections of all facets of the racing facility. Interviews were also conducted with track executives, racetrack personnel, jockeys, owners, trainers, stewards, and fans.