BALTIMORE, 05-06-14---The Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Racing Commission today announced protocol for horses competing in stakes races May 16-17 at Pimlico Race Course.

The May 16 card features eight stakes races, highlighted by the $500,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2), while the May 17 program has nine stakes races, headlined by the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (G1), the middle jewel of racing’s Triple Crown.

Every runner competing in the six graded stakes races must be stabled in Barns C, D or E, which are located behind the Pimlico grandstand. Those races are: Preakness, Dixie, Gallorette and Maryland Sprint on Saturday, May 17 and the Black-Eyed Susan and Pimlico Special on Friday, May 16.

The first Preakness starter scheduled to arrive is Social Inclusion, who is expected to be at Pimlico Thursday morning, May 8.

“Ensuring the welfare and safety of horses and jockeys is paramount,” Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas said. “Credibility and safety are maxims we live by, as evidenced by the Stronach Group’s ten-point plan proposal.  To provide that environment, from the bottom claimer up to our stakes program, is our mission.”

“The Maryland Jockey Club and the Maryland Racing Commission are partnering in an effort to provide the most secure and safe environment possible for Preakness-week participants,” said Maryland Racing Commission chairman Bruce Quade. “The equine security procedures, along with the additional security steps being taken by the Maryland Jockey Club will also ensure the seamless implementation of the State's medication protocol. These efforts are part of the continuing program to ensure the integrity of Maryland's most exciting weekend.”

•   All Preakness Stakes runners are required to be in no later than 12 Noon Thursday, May 15. Blood specimens will be
    drawn on all Preakness horses that afternoon

•   Security cameras are installed and operational in barns C, D and E beginning when a horse is stabled in the barn

•   Access to each barn will only be permitted at each corner. All persons shall Sign-In when entering barn C, D or E

•   On Saturday, May 17 pre-race exams will begin at 8:00 a.m. Horses are required to be “clean legged” and open
    for the pre-race exam and are not allowed to be placed in ice until after the exam.

•   Practicing Veterinarians will provide the Racing Commission with a list of treatments scheduled for horses stabled
    in barns C, D or E prior to the treatment being administered unless a treatment is a documented emergency

•   No practicing veterinarian, other than the veterinarian administering Salix is allowed into barns C, D or E after
    6:15 p.m. Friday May 16 unless he has approval from the State Veterinarian and the Stewards or it is a
    documented emergency

•   Pre-race blood samples will be drawn from all horses entered in all graded stakes races (TOBA requirement). Two
    blood specimens will be drawn as close to the race as practicable.  The racing commission will have an additional
    commission vet in the barn area for this purpose

•   A Maryland Racing Commission representative will be present to observe a treatment being provided and collect
    any needles and syringes for testing
 

About Pimlico Race Course

Historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel in horse racing's famed Triple Crown, first opened its doors on October 25, 1870, and is the second oldest racetrack in the United States. Pimlico has played host to racing icons and Baltimoreans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition. For more information on Pimlico, visit www.pimlico.com.

Pimlico Race Course is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.