Laurel Park Re-Accredited by Safety Alliance

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance has re-accredited Laurel Park for two years.

Located in Laurel, Md., southwest of Baltimore, the 103-year-old racetrack received its initial Alliance accreditation in 2013 and is conducting its fall meet, which concludes Dec. 31.



"Laurel Park is proud of our accreditation by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance," said Sal Sinatra, newly appointed vice president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, which operates Laurel, Pimlico Race Course | BloodHorse.com Track Profile">Pimlico Race Course, and Bowie Training Center. "The team here worked very hard with the Maryland Racing Commission and our horsemen to improve standards at all of our facilities and we will strive to do even more in the future."



In areas intended to create a safer racing environment, best practices cited at Laurel include mandatory use of safety helmets by all personnel on horseback, as well as assistant starters; catastrophic injury planning and procedures; mandatory presence and dedicated staffing of an equine ambulance during training and racing; the Maryland substance abuse and addiction treatment program; plans and protocols for infectious disease management; and the presence of practicing veterinarians any time the track surfaces are open for use.



In the area of equine drug testing and penalties, best practices identified include shock wave therapy regulation and Racing Medication Testing Consortium accreditation of the track's official testing laboratory, Truesdail Laboratories in Tustin, Calif. The MJC also received special commendation for being among the first adopters of the RMTC's National Uniform Medication Program.



Regarding the health and safety of jockeys, best practices recognized include participation in the Jockey Health Information System, including concussion baseline testing. 



In the areas of aftercare and transition of retired racehorses, best practices include a funding mechanism in place for support of aftercare and relationships with organizations that care for horses. MJC helped to facilitate a formal partnership between the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, supporting farms that provide homes to retired Thoroughbreds that raced in Maryland. Additional funds have been raised via the Totally Thoroughbred Horse Show, a successful annual event showcasing off-the-track Thoroughbreds.  



Laurel Park also was commended for best practices in protocols relating to wagering security, specifically the due diligence performed on those wishing to participate in commingled pari-mutuel pools.



"The prompt adoption of additional reforms since our last inspection here about 18 months ago demonstrates a serious commitment to safety and integrity by the management, staff, horsemen and regulators at Laurel Park," said Mike Ziegler, executive director of the Alliance.



Laurel Park is one of 23 racing facilities currently fully accredited by the Alliance.