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NYRA Releases Statement On Equine Safety At Belmont

Following an incident after race eight on Belmont's Monday card where Cold Hard Cash (Maclean's Music) sustained an apparent cardiovascular event during the gallop out, collapsed and died on track, NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna released the following statement:

“The health and safety of horses and jockeys competing at NYRA tracks is our highest priority and one that stands above all other considerations. NYRA's comprehensive safety strategy is informed by the most advanced science and research in consultation with independent experts, veterinarians, and horsemen. Every horse entered to compete at Belmont Park is required to undergo an extensive pre-race veterinary examination before the horse is permitted to race. In addition to physical inspection and observation, regulatory veterinarians perform a detailed review of each horse's medical records, past performances and workouts. According to these well-established protocols, Cold Hard Cash passed the required pre-race veterinary inspection. In the course of investigating this injury, necropsy results will be analyzed by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) officials as well as the New York State Equine Medical Director. NYRA, HISA and the New York State Gaming Commission will closely review the circumstances around this incident to ensure we are providing the safest possible environment for racing and training at Belmont Park.”

Five horses have incurred fatal injuries during racing at the 2023 Belmont Park spring/summer meet, which began May 4 and has featured 2,493 horses starting in 326 races.

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Bob Baffert Suspension Extended Through 2024 At Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs Incorporated is extending the suspension of Bob Baffert through calendar year 2024 based on what Churchill Downs called “continued concerns regarding the threat to the safety and integrity of racing he poses to CDI-owned racetracks.” Churchill released the following statement:

“Mr. Baffert continues to peddle a false narrative concerning the failed drug test of Medina Spirit at the 147^th Kentucky Derby from which his horse was disqualified by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in accordance with Kentucky law and regulations. Prior to that race, Mr. Baffert signed an agreement with Churchill Downs which stated that he was responsible for understanding the rules of racing in Kentucky and that he would abide by them. The results of the tests clearly show that he did not comply, and his ongoing conduct reveals his continued disregard for the rules and regulations that ensure horse and jockey safety, as well as the integrity and fairness of the races conducted at our facilities. A trainer who is unwilling to accept responsibility for multiple drug test failures in our highest-profile races cannot be trusted to avoid future misconduct. Mr. Baffert will remain suspended from entering horses at all racetracks owned by CDI through 2024. After such time, we will re-evaluate his status.”

Baffert told the TDN, “I am at a loss to understand Churchill Downs's latest action to suspend me. From the moment I learned of Medina Spirit's post-race positive–now more than two years ago–I committed to find out how it could have occurred, given that we had never injected Medina Spirit's joints with betamethasone, which the veterinary records confirm. A review of our treatment records showed we used a topical ointment called Otomax for a skin infection, and post-race testing of the sample confirmed the positive test came from a topical application.

I have been open, honest and forthcoming about these events. I have acknowledged that our treatment led to the positive and I informed the Kentucky Racing Commission that we had treated Medina Spirit this way.

I have been advised by my attorneys that the use of Otomax is permitted under the rules, and this issue is presently being adjudicated by the Racing Commission in a case presently before them. In no way does this involve a “disregard for the rules”.

In the interests of the sport we all love, I have made no public comments on this unfortunate episode for an extended period of time so the suggestion that I `continue to peddle a false narrative' is patently false..”

Clark Brewster, who represented Bob Baffert in the Medina Spirit case, added: “This has nothing to do with anything that Bob has done or said. Bob simply has come forward and said he used this particular topical and that the rules permitted it. He felt that the rules dealing with betamethasone involved with injecting a horse within 14 days of the race. He's been open and transparent and hasn't been in any way accusatory. The words in this release are shocking and don't deal with the reality in any way.”

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Owner John Harris Honored By Edwin J. Gregson Foundation

Thoroughbred owner and breeder John C. Harris will be honored at a charity fundraising dinner hosted by the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation. The event will take place Thursday, August 17, 2023, at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, located just a few miles east of Del Mar Racetrack.

“We're delighted to honor John, not only for the accomplishments of his Harris Farms Horse Division, one of the country's leading racing stables and utmost influential owner/breeder operations, for which he has been inducted into the California Racing Hall of Fame,” says Jenine Sahadi, Foundation President. “We also acknowledge him for his many years of distinguished service to this industry as a California Horse Racing Board commissioner, board member of the Breeders' Cup, Jockey Club, and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.”

Proceeds of the event will be used for continued sponsorship of various educational and recreational programs to benefit California's backstretch workers and family members. These programs include provision of scholarship grants, English as a Second Language courses, community-focused family social events, sports and recreation activities and outings.

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McLean Robertson Latest Trainer To Be Suspended By HIWU

McLean Robertson, a top trainer in the Midwest whose accomplishments include a pair of training titles at Canterbury Park, has been provisionally suspended by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) after a horse he trained allegedly tested positive for Altrenogest. The ruling was posted to the HIWU website Monday.

It's been a busy few days for HIWU. On Saturday, it was reported on the HIWU website that New York-based trainer Raymond Handal has been provisionally suspended after an alleged positive for Zeranol. On Sunday, the website included a ruling against trainer Jonathan Wong, whose stable includes divisions in Kentucky and California. He has also been provisionally suspended after an alleged positive for the prescription drug metformin, a type 2 diabetes treatment.

All three positive were for drugs on HIWU's banned substance list. In those cases, trainers who have had horses test positive receive automatic provisional suspensions, which go into effect once the positives are made public.

The ruling on Robertson came under HIWU Rule 3212 which covers the presence of a banned substance and/or its metabolites or markers.

Altrenogest is sold under the names Swinemate, Altren and Regumate and is used in veterinary medicine to suppress or synchronize estrus in horses and pigs. According to the website of the National Library of Medicine Altrenogest is “a commonly used progestogen for the suppression of oestrus and associated distracting behaviors that interfere with training and performance of female racehorses.” The report on the website also notes that Altrenogest is “structurally similar to the anabolic androgenic steroid.”

The horse in question, Johnny Up (Majesticperfection) is not a filly or mare but a gelding. The alleged positive occurred in a June 4 race at Canterbury, a $10,500 claimer in which Johnny Up won by 6 1/4 lengths.

By mid-afternoon, Robertson had not returned a phone call seeking comment. Robertson has 1,544 career wins from 7,108 starters.

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