Gaming Commission

New York State is a leader in equine safety. Following release of the 2012 report of the New York Task Force on Racehorse Health and Safety, the Commission implemented the Task Force recommendations and created a Racing Risk Management Program, which has been adopted by more than a dozen Thoroughbred racetracks in the Mid-Atlantic region.

 

The Commission also supports research at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine to identify horses at increased risk for catastrophic injury.

 

The Commission, in consultation with Equine Medical Director Dr. Scott E. Palmer, continually evaluates rules and procedures to ensure that horses, jockeys and drivers are protected. Dr. Palmer also serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences at Cornell.

 

The Commission’s rules include commonly used medicines in the equine racing world, as well as the number of hours "out" (before race day) that these listed medicines may be administered. The only allowable medication on race day in New York is furosemide, which is only permitted to be administered to horses properly enrolled in a furosemide medication program.

 

New York’s Equine Drug Testing Program (EDTP)

 

Veterinary Treatment Record Form

 

Thoroughbred Trainer Continuing Education - Record of Participation

 

Pre-Entry 180-Day Layoff Form

 

EPO Antibody Positives 

 

Equine Medical Director Advisories:

 

2023

    • 06.08.23 Air Quality Protocol

    • 04.11.23 Reopening of Belmont Main Track

    • 02.24.23 Racing in Cold Weather

    • 02.21.23 Phenylbutazone

 

2022

    • 12.30.22 FDA Approval of Zycosan

 

2021

    • 12.10.26.21 Testing for Bisphosphonate Use in Thoroughbreds

 

2020

    • 08.29.20 Thyroxine

    • 08.29.20 Thyroxine Therapeutic Use & Thyroid Hormone Testing

    • 04.29.20 Harness Horses Requiring Hair Sampling

    • 04.28.20 Harness Horse Hair Sampling

    • 03.27.20 Directive for Harness Horses Linked to Alleged Drug Violations

    • 03.17.20 Directive for Thoroughbreds Linked to Alleged Drug Violations

    • 01.30.20 EHV-1 at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway

    •                Heat Management Protocol

 

2019

    • 03.28.19 Bisphosphonate Information

    • 03.28.19 Bisphosphonate Ban for Horses Less than Four Years Old

 

2018

    • 07.31.18 Rule Change 4043.12.16

    • 02.18.18 Infectious Disease

    • 01.22.18 NSAID Anti-Stacking Rule

 

2017

    • 12.22.17 Extension of 2017 Continuing Education Requirement

    • 03.24.17 Veterinary Labeling of Prescription Medication

 

2016

    • 12.22.16 Thoroughbred Trainer Continuing Education

    • 02.23.16 Focus on the Fetlock Joint

 

2015

    • 11.17.15 Directive for Completion of Furosemide Eligibility Form

    • 08.03.15 Racing in Hot Weather

    • 01.09.15 Harness National Drug Thresholds

    • 01.09.15 FAQ: Harness Medication Rule Reform

 

2014

    • 12.04.14 Therapeutic Medication Restricted Administration Times

    • 12.03.14 Thoroughbred National Drug Thresholds

    • 12.03.14 FAQ: Thoroughbred Medication Rule Reform

• 2015 Retired Racehorse Summit

• 2016 Retired Racehorse Summit

• Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

• Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

• ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption

• New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program

• Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue

• NYTHA Take the Lead

• NYTHA Take2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program, Inc.

• Old Friends

• Old Friends at Cabin Creek

• Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program

• Sunshine Horses

• 2011 Task Force on Retired Racehorses Report & Recommendations

• Retired Racehorse Research