Horse racing: NYRA shoring drug policies, eliminates security barn

By NICOLE RUSSO
The Saratogian

BELMONT — In a cost-cutting move that’s also popular with horsemen, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) is eliminating its race-day security barn, beginning with opening day at Saratoga Race Course next week, and will instead implement other methods aimed at preventing the illegal usage of performance enhancing drugs, with harsh penalties for violators.

“The horsemen are, to be honest with you, thrilled that they’re moving toward a more scientific protocol and away from the security barn, which oftentimes was very stressful and even dangerous to the horses and the people working with them,” said trainer Rick Violette, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and a NYRA board member

The race-day security barn has been in operation at NYRA tracks — Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct — since May 2005. Horses are required to be moved from their trainer’s barn and report to this separate barn for monitoring six hours prior to post time for the race they are entered in. During this time period, only the trainer and his or her employees may enter the horse’s stall. No private veterinarians are allowed to work with the horse; official NYRA veterinarians must administer all legal medications, such as the anti-bleeding medication Lasix. Read more…