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Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Meadowlands, Tioga, Vernon Implement “Zero Tolerance” Kicking Policy

Drivers may be disqualified from participation due to any infractions

 East Rutherford, NJ (December 16th) - Effective immediately, The Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs will be enforcing a “zero-tolerance” policy when it comes to drivers violating rules associated with the “kicking or nudging” of a horse.

This past Saturday, Meadowlands C.E.O and General Manager, Jason Settlemoir along with Presiding Judge John Tomasello met with the drivers and informed them of this policy.
            
Any driver that is cited for an infraction pertaining to “kicking or nudging a horse,” will be suspended for seven (7) days by the judges at The Meadowlands.  In addition, the management at The Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs will reserve the right to disqualify that driver from participation at all three racetracks.

The rule exists in the New Jersey Racing Commission Rule Book and can be found in 13:71-20.15:
“The brutal use of a whip or blunt spur, kicking a horse with a foot, striking a horse with the whip under the seat of the sulky or indiscriminate use of a whip may be considered a violation.”

Furthermore, if a driver is cited for a “kicking or nudging” violation at any racetrack other than three properties operated by Jeff Gural, the management at The Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs will reserve the right to disqualify that driver from participation at all three racetracks.

“We have a responsibility to our horses and to the public that we are putting forth the most integrity-driven and safest product possible,” said Meadowlands Chairman Jeff Gural.  

“Regardless of the debate that has been ongoing related to this issue, as far as we are concerned, perception is reality and it looks terrible, therefore we will not tolerate it.  I hope our having to take action on this issue will not be required to demonstrate how serious we are about this subject.”
            
This policy will be in effect when The Meadowlands resumes racing on Friday, December 19th.