INTRODUCTION
Keeneland’s Commitment to Safety and Integrity Keeneland was founded with the mission to put the best interests of the horse first, and throughout its history, the safety of horse and rider has been priority No. 1. Guided by this mission, Keeneland continues to invest in state-of-the-art technology and expertise to provide safe and consistent racing surfaces; support health and welfare research; fund Thoroughbred aftercare and be a leader in promoting transparency and study. Keeneland is at the forefront of safety and integrity reforms and initiatives that better the racing industry at both the state and national levels. The track was among the first race tracks in North America to earn accreditation by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Safety & Integrity Alliance in 2009. Since then, Keeneland has been fully re-accredited every two years. Keeneland also supports the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) of 2020, which is landmark federal legislation that will bring a level of consistency and accountability to racing by developing and implementing uniform anti-doping, medication control and operational measures. At the state level, Keeneland teamed with Kentucky’s other Thoroughbred tracks – Churchill Downs, Turfway Park, Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs – to support medication reforms adopted by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in an unprecedented show of unity and shared commitment to work together for the betterment of racing.
Under the leadership of Vice President of Equine Safety Dr. Stuart Brown, Keeneland deploys innovative strategies that further strengthen its safety protocols. These efforts represent a collaborative effort among Dr. Brown, Racing Safety Officer Dr. George Mundy, Keeneland’s horsemen and their attending veterinarians, and the state regulatory veterinarians who monitor every horse in training at Keeneland and The Thoroughbred Center (TTC). Dr. Brown also coordinates closely with Director of Racing Surfaces Jim Pendergest, who oversees the dirt, turf and all-weather tracks at both Keeneland and TTC. Pendergest works with Assistant Track Superintendent-Operations Alfredo Laureano to employ the most advanced race track technology and research to maintain the safest racing surfaces possible. Keeneland consults with Dr. Mick Peterson, director of the University of Kentucky’s Ag Equine Program and cofounder of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, to apply the latest science and technology to maintain the safest racing surfaces possible.
Enhancing race track safety Keeneland officials undertook more than a year of research and testing of materials, water drainage systems and race track design before building its main dirt track in 2014. The 1 1/16-mile oval is a blend of approximately 19,000 tons of sand, silt and clay native to Kentucky.
Keeneland Works to Improve the Sport The safety of horses and riders has always been priority No. 1 at Keeneland, which continues to lead the Thoroughbred industry in advancing initiatives to improve the sport. Keeneland has:
UK HealthCare is Official Health Care Provider for Race Meets During the 2021 Fall Meet, UK HealthCare became Keeneland’s “Official First Aid Provider” of first aid and emergency medical services to racing participants, fans and staff during race meets. UK HealthCare is staffing and equipping Keeneland’s state-of-the-art First Aid center, and its trauma personnel are supporting emergency response vehicles stationed on track during the race day. EMS care for jockeys, participants and patrons at Keeneland is an extension of the Level 1 trauma service available at UK HealthCare’s emergency room. A specially designed “chase vehicle,” developed and co-branded by Keeneland and UK HealthCare, follows horses and riders around the track during every race. The chase vehicle carries paramedics and an expert horse handler to optimize both the efficiency and effectiveness of the coordinated response in the event of need. This latest collaborative effort between Keeneland and UK is an outgrowth of their shared focus on community education, philanthropy and engagement. In 2019, UK HealthCare became sponsor of the Keeneland Kids Club, the track’s run/walk program and the First Lady (G1), a Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” stakes on opening Saturday of the Fall Meet.
• Invested significantly in the latest technology to provide the most consistent racing surfaces possible; • Supported initiatives that advance health and welfare research to benefit horse and rider; • Funded Thoroughbred aftercare programs; • Been among the first tracks to participate in databases that record equine and jockey injuries to promote transparency and study; and • Worked with Kentucky’s other Thoroughbred tracks to support medication reforms adopted by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. For more, visit www.Keeneland.com/racing/commitment-safety-and-integrity.
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2022 Keeneland Media Guide | Introduction
Rev. 3/7/22 ®
