Both the Grand National and Scottish Grand National meetings attracted protestors that delayed proceedings to various degrees, but The Jockey Club is taking every possible precaution to avoid that scenario for the upcoming meeting on June 2-3. Epsom Downs Racecourse is owned and operated by The Jockey Club, and officials have met with the Surrey police in advance of the meeting.

Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive of the Jockey Club, said, “As part of our planning for the Derby Festival, we have been working with Surrey Police to ensure we have a range of robust security measures in place to protect the safety of everyone at the event, especially our equine and human participants, which will always be our number one priority.

“While we completely respect anyone's right to peaceful and lawful protest, we would condemn illegal and reckless plans to breach security in an effort to disrupt the action on the track and endanger the safety of the participants in the strongest possible terms.

“Thousands of people look forward to attending the Derby every year and millions more will be watching at home and around the world, so we look forward to staging what is not only an important event for the sport but an iconic moment in the British summer and a celebration of the Thoroughbred.”

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On Sept. 18, the Breeders' Cup said it would be conducting a review process to determine Baffert's status in the wake of a failed drug test by Medina Spirit after the Protonico colt finished first in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 1.

The Medina Spirit positive test for the corticosteroid betamethasone was the fifth failed drug test by a Baffert runner – and third in a Grade 1 race – over a one-year period dating back to May 2, 2020.

Since Wednesday, Oct. 20, a team of two investigators, three security officers, and one Breeders' Cup executive has been watching Baffert's barn at Santa Anita on a 24-hour basis. When his Breeders' Cup contenders are shipped to Del Mar, a security officer with a body camera will be assigned to each horse. There will also be 24-hour coverage by investigators assigned to Baffert's barn, who will have permission to confiscate medications and review daily treatment/billing records.

On Nov. 2, samples of blood, urine, and hair will be taken from each of Baffert's Breeders' Cup hopefuls. Additional random collections will be performed during the week leading up to the World Championships. Any horse testing positive for therapeutic medications, even those therapeutics within the window for legal use, will be scratched.

“We are happy to accommodate the transparency,” Baffert told the LA Times. “We will care for our horses as we always do and any testing or observation is welcomed.”

Read more at the LA Times.

The post Body Cams, Extra Testing, Dedicated Investigators: Breeders’ Cup Reveals Enhanced Security Measures For Baffert Trainees appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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