Colonial Downs, in conjunction with the Virginia Racing Commission, announced Monday a comprehensive set of elevated safety and horse welfare procedures and protocols for its upcoming 15-day meeting, running from Aug. 8 through Sept. 7. The protocols will encompass Pre-Race Examinations, Medication, Test Barn Procedures and Race Time Inspections, among many initiatives to be executed for the meet by the Colonial Downs racing department and the VRC.
“We are proud of our program of safety protocols and procedures which have been developed for the current meeting,” said Allison De Luca, Colonial Downs Director of Racing and Racing Secretary. “We greatly appreciate the contributions from various individuals throughout our industry who have provided their knowledge and expertise throughout the process.”
Included among the procedures and protocols:
Racing Integrity & Pre-Race & Race Day Protocols
• A team of five in the Colonial Downs Racing Office staff members, led by Allison De Luca, Racing Secretary, have performed in depth research on all stall applicants and allotted stalls to those who fit the level of criteria for racing or stabling at Colonial Downs. The Racing Office will review all entries prior to acceptance and release of official entries for racing.
• Colonial Downs has instilled a policy of a 72-hour required Health Certificate for entry to the grounds. Security will maintain a detailed manual and digital log of horses shipping in and out.
Race Day Veterinary Protocols
• The VRC will provide three Commission Veterinarians for all pre-race and post-race examinations. They will use computer tablets (currently used by vets for the Breeders' Cup) for immediate, full record database access and record sharing, as well as real time updates through a web-based Track Management system.
• One VRC veterinarian will be riding in the chase vehicle and will be able to provide immediate, medical attention to a horse when needed. The new horse ambulance will be ready to transport any injured horse.
• The Stewards will generally select two horses from each race to go to the test barn for drug testing. Blood and urine samples will be collected and sent to an accredited laboratory.
Medication Regulations Updates
• Colonial Downs has banned Bisphosphonates.
• By approval of the VRC, the administration of Furosemide (Lasix) was changed to 6 cc down from 10cc
• Colonial Downs has also joined the Mid Atlantic Strategic Plan to Reduce Equine Fatalities and participate in The Jockey Club Injury Database.
• All claimed horses' vet records will accompany that claim to the new owners.
Track Surfaces
• The Secretariat turf course was put through its traditional burn of the old Bermuda grass. Subsequently, nutrients were applied, followed by soil testing and daily maintenance attain its most lush condition. A new phase 1 irrigation system has been installed to insure consistent water distribution.
• A complete renovation was done of the dirt course to establish proper grading and material content, to give it a 6-inch cushion. Dr. Mick Peterson, Executive Director, Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory and University of Kentucky Director of Ag Equine Programs, performed a complete testing with a ground penetrating radar system, moisture analysis and cushion consistency.
• Among the additional Safety & Integrity Initiatives, all jockeys will be required to use padded riding crops. Colonial Downs will also utilize an EMS chase vehicle for immediate emergency care.
Stable & Track Area Renovations
Among renovations and upgrades to the facility:
• Barns 1 through 10, tack rooms and wash stalls.
• For the stable area workers, the dormitories and bathhouses were renovated.
• The track's Receiving Barn and Test barns were also renovated
• Barn 14 has been prepared as an Isolation Barn in case of an infectious disease outbreak.
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