MJC Issues Preakness Security Protocol
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All horses scheduled to compete in the Xpressbet.com Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico Race Course must be on the grounds by noon May 14, according to security and pre-race procedures released by the Maryland Jockey Club.
According to the procedures, blood specimens will be drawn for all prospective runners later in the day of thier arrival.
The MJC said security cameras in Barns C, D, and E will be operational upon the arrival of new barn occupants, and access to each barn will be permitted only at each corner. All persons must sign in when entering any of those barns.
Pre-race exams on Preakness day May 16 will begin at 8 a.m. EDT, and horses must be "clean-legged" and out of ice treatments until after they are examined," officials siad. Practicing veterinarians will provide the Maryland Racing Commission with a list of treatments prior to administration except in an emergency.
No practicing veterinarian other than the one administering the diuretic furosemide, also called Salix or Lasix, will be allowed into those barns after 6:15 p.m. May 15 without approval from the state veterinarian and the stewards, unless it is a documented emergency. All Salix must be administered no later than three hours prior to post time or the horse will be scratched.
Pre-race blood samples will be drawn from all horses entered in graded stakes on the Preakness program, and a Maryland Racing Commission representative will supervise all treatments, officials said.