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Jockey Health Day At Delaware Park Focused On ‘Improving The Standard Of Care’

The Delaware Jockeys' Health and Welfare Fund held a jockey health day on Monday, May 24, in the Delaware Park jockeys' quarters. Premier Physical Therapy and Sports Performance (Premier PT) hosted the event. A team of four doctors and three athletic trainers offered their services for this event; Dr. Kelly Ryan, Dr. Brad Sandela, Dr. Talha Khan, Dr. Chelsea Backer, Athletic Trainers Mandy Minutola, Sam Cutrone and Paige Ezell. Just under 30 jockeys attended the event to undergo physical examinations, baseline concussion testing and onboarding onto the Headcheck Health management system

Premier PT, in partnership with Laurel Racecourse track physician Dr. Kelly Ryan of Medstar, has been utilizing HeadCheck, a web-based end-to-end solution to execute concussion protocols, mitigate risk and support recovery. HeadCheck gives participating racetracks the ability to instantly remove and return jockeys to riding by sharing possible injury alerts, baseline tests, physicals, medical clearances, jockey emergency contact information and other pertinent information. HeadCheck uses strict HIPAA compliance with multi-level access where private health information is only provided to medical personnel.

Mandy Minutola, Director of Athletic training for Premier Physical Therapy, stated: “The first Jockey Health Day at Delaware Park was a successful step towards improving the standard of care for jockeys in our area. The collaboration of our Athletic Trainers with local sports medicine physicians to put the health and safety of the jockey first and foremost was evident in this event and something we hope was abundantly evident to our jockeys & their families. Premier is honored to provide an Athletic Trainer on all race days and be able to improve the quality of life of the jockeys during and beyond their horse racing careers. Our ultimate goal is to spread this desire to improve care standards across the United States for ALL jockeys.”

Delaware Park has a licensed athletic trainer during live racing with a treatment room located in the jockeys' room. Sam Cutrone, the licensed athletic trainer for Premier PT who has been the onsite athletic trainer since the inception Premier PT program, stated: “Premier Physical Therapy and Sports Performance is thrilled to be working towards a standard of care for all jockeys and enjoys providing them with the preventative and diagnostic tools that have been long overlooked in the horse racing industry. We hope to improve the quality of life for jockeys both during and beyond their horse racing careers.”

Ed Stegemeier, Chairman of The Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Fund, stated: “The Delaware Jockeys Health and Benefit Board is delighted to work with Delaware Park and Premier Physical Therapy in providing services that will add another layer of protective health care for all Delaware jockeys.”

The 77-day Delaware Park meet opens on Wednesday, May 26th and concludes on Saturday, October 16th. Live racing will be conducted Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays. Thursdays will be added June 24th through September 30th. First-race daily post time is set for 1:15pm.

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Australian Jockeys To Undergo Extended Stand-Down Period After Concussion Diagnosis

Jockeys in Victoria, Australia will now be required to stand down for 12 days if diagnosed with a concussion, reports justhorseracing.com.au. The stand down period was increased from the previous seven days on the advice of Racing Victoria doctor Gary Zimmerman.

The 12-day period puts Racing Victoria on par with the Australian Football League.

“We have seen a lot of athletes in the AFL, they want to avoid being diagnosed with concussion because they know there will be an automatic stand-down and they can't play a game the following week,” said Matthew Hyland, chief executive of the Victorian Jockeys' Association. “But you have to hold the athlete in one hand and then you have to hold the medical advice in the other and you have to try and bring it together and arrive at a satisfactory outcome.

“Sometimes you have to take that out of the athlete's hands.”

Delaware Jockeys’ Health And Welfare Fund Providing Free Physicals, Concussion Baseline Test On May 24

In anticipation of the opening of the 2021 racing season at Delaware Park, The Delaware Jockeys' Health and Welfare Fund is holding a jockey health day on Monday, May 24, in the jockeys' room immediately after morning training closes. Physicals and baseline concussion tests will be provided free of charge. All jockeys are strongly encouraged to attend. The Commission requires a current-year physical for licensing, with consideration of mandating a baseline concussion test. Premier Physical Therapy and Sports Performance (Premier PT) is hosting the event.

Delaware Park has a licensed athletic trainer during live racing with a treatment room located in the jockeys' room.

Sam Cutrone, the licensed athletic trainer for Premier PT who has been the onsite athletic trainer since the inception Premier PT program, added: “Premier Physical Therapy and Sports Performance is thrilled to be working towards a standard of care for all jockeys and enjoys providing them with the preventative and diagnostic tools that have been long overlooked in the horse racing industry. We hope to improve the quality of life for jockeys both during and beyond their horse racing careers.”

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NYRA Establishing Concussion Protocols For Jockeys With Center For Sports Medicine

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the Center for Sports Medicine at New York Institute of Technology today announced a collaboration that establishes the Center for Sports Medicine as NYRA's official concussion management team.

Accordingly, the Center for Sports Medicine will take a leading role in the continued development of concussion protocols for jockeys at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.

In December 2020, the Center for Sports Medicine launched a concussion baseline testing program for jockeys competing at the 2020-21 winter meet at Aqueduct. This program is ongoing, with additional baseline testing to be performed during the spring/summer meet at Belmont and the summer meet at Saratoga.

“The Center for Sports Medicine is at the forefront of concussion science, research and prevention,” said Martin Panza, NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations. “Dr. Zwibel and his team will be a tremendous addition as we work together to finalize comprehensive protocols to further protect jockeys in New York.”

In addition to baseline testing, which is central to informing future treatment and concussion assessment, the Center for Sports Medicine will provide expert resources in the diagnosis of potential concussions as well as treatment plans for jockeys seeking a safe return to the racetrack. Further, the Center for Sports Medicine will provide continuing education for jockeys and NYRA personnel to ensure a more thorough understanding of concussion prevention.

“NYRA clearly prioritizes the health and safety of the world class athletes riding at their racetracks,” said Hallie Zwibel, D.O., medical director and director of the Center for Sports Medicine at New York Institute of Technology. “This collaboration is a reflection of that fact and will result in a concussion management plan that can serve as a national blueprint for thoroughbred racing.”

The new collaboration underscores the Center for Sports Medicine's existing efforts to promote increased concussion safety. In recent years the Center for Sports Medicine has teamed with a number of current and former jockeys, including Ramón Dominguez, who was forced to retire in 2013 when he sustained head injuries during a race.

“I am very encouraged that NYRA is collaborating with New York Institute of Technology to enhance jockey safety,” said Dominguez. “As awareness for concussion safety has risen, so has the level of protection for these amazing athletes and this collaboration continues those important efforts.”

As a result of their work with current and former jockeys, the Center for Sports Medicine assisted The Jockeys Guild in the development of “return to ride” guidelines, which provide instruction on when injured jockeys can safely return to racing. Zwibel also serves as a medical consultant on a research project led by New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine assistant professor Milan Toma, Ph.D., which uses fluid dynamics to evaluate the safety of jockey helmets.

For additional information, visit NYRA.com.

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