Out
of Competition Testing Important Component of Breeders Crown Races
All 117
horses entered in the Breeders Crown events this weekend have been subjected to
out-of-competition testing by the New Jersey Racing Commission. To date, 80% of
the collected blood samples have been analyzed and have cleared the lab. This
includes 20 entrants that have had blood drawn and analyzed more than
once.
In
addition, the standard pre and post-race testing will be conducted by the NJ
Racing Commission, which has jurisdiction over all pari-mutuel races conducted
in the state.
“The
Hambletonian Society is committed to the challenge of dealing with the issue of
illegal medication and appreciates the cooperation of the NJ Racing Commission
and the Breeders Crown participants as well as Meadowlands management in our
execution of the out-of-competition testing rules,” said Tom Charters,
president of the Hambletonian Society.
The $6.2
million Breeders Crown events, to be raced Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct.
29 at The Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, NJ bring together the top
harness horses in North America.
The
Hambletonian Society’s rules are a condition of entry in the Breeders Crown
races. The Breeders Crown out-of-competition rules as specified in the racing
conditions were used for the first time in 2007 and have continued to date with
the cooperation of host tracks and state and provincial commissions.
Under the
Breeders Crown conditions blood samples may, without notice, be taken for testing
of any racehorse participating in the Crown event, stabled on or off the
grounds, in New Jersey or out of state. Additionally, all samples taken
from these horses may also be frozen for future testing.
The Society is also a supporter of the Racing, Testing and Medication Consortium.
