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Aqueduct Earns Safety Re-Accreditation

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Dec. 16 that Aqueduct has earned re-accreditation from the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Vets See Progress in Equine Health, Safety

Veterinarians said the racing industry is making significant progress in identifying causes for equine injuries, and they urged patience despite persistent negative public perception in regard to racehorse breakdowns.

NTRA OKs Budget, Reaffirms Commitment

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors has approved an $8 million budget for 2012 and reaffirmed its commitment to move forward, even in the absence of several high-profile members.

NTRA Safety Alliance Re-Approves Fair Grounds

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans has earned re-accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety and Integrity Alliance, it was announced Dec. 3.

Santa Anita Earns Safety Accreditation

Santa Anita Park in California has been fully accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility.

'Safety Steward' Position Called Valuable

The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance considers the presence of a "safety steward" at Southern California a superior best practice, but whether others create such a position depends on financial resources.

Industry Poised to Make Strides in Aftercare

The Thoroughbred industry is making substantial strides in the area of racehorse aftercare programs -- some very public and others behind the scenes.

Alliance Will Stay the Course, Waldrop Says

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance is having an impact on the racing industry despite some misconceptions and will not be derailed, NTRA president Alex Waldrop said.

Agenda Set for NTRA Alliance Seminar

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Oct. 4 announced the agenda for the second annual NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance Professional Education Seminar to be held Oct. 18-19 at Keeneland in Lexington.

NTRA Chief Calls for Penn Safety Improvements

The president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Sept. 24 credited a Pennsylvania racetrack with initiating pre-race soundness exams but said it's not enough.

Calder Gains NTRA Safety Re-accreditation

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Sept. 9 that Calder Casino and Race Course has earned re-accreditation from the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Saratoga Re-accredited by Safety Alliance

Saratoga has been re-accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, officials said Sept. 2.

Del Mar Earns Re-Accreditation from Alliance

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced that Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has earned re-accreditation from the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. The re-accreditation followed a complete review of the facility.

NTRA Alliance Education Seminar Scheduled

The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance will host its second annual NTRA Professional Education Seminar -- Presented by Pfizer Animal Health and Keeneland on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 18-19 at Keeneland in Lexingto.

Hollywood Park Re-accredited by Alliance

Hollywood Park in California has earned re-accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Pimlico Reaccredited by NTRA Safety Alliance

Pimlico Race Course, which will host the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 21, has been reaccredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Pfizer Renews NTRA Partnership

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has announced that Pfizer Animal Health has renewed its agreement to serve as an official Equine Health Promotional Partner of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Finger Lakes Accredited By NTRA Alliance

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced April 12 that Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack in Farmington, N.Y., has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

CDI Reinforces Safety for Upcoming Meets

Churchill Downs Inc. reinforced its safety initiatives April 11 and said it plans to seek re-accreditation for its four racetracks through the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Horsemen's Groups Assess NTRA Membership Dues

Funding reductions for operations and benevolence brought on by horse racing's economic woes have led numerous affiliates of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association to reconsider NTRA membership.

Safety Alliance Updates Code of Standards

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance has updated its code of standards to add more protocol for jockey health and safety and prevention and reporting of equine injuries.

New Safety and Integrity Alliance Sponsorship

The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance has announced a sponsorship agreement with Flair LLC, maker of FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips.

Proposed WV Rules Include Pre-Race Exams

The West Virginia Senate Feb. 25 passed an overhaul of the state's horse racing regulations, which include mandatory pre-race veterinary exams for horses.

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (8)

More ramblings about things happening in horse racing, and more questions about why things happen in horse racing.

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Public Report on NTRA Alliance Released

A 12-page comprehensive public report on the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance covers the alliance's progress to date in implementing safety and integrity standards and reform.

Safety Alliance Participation Falling Short

When it is released in early January 2011, the second report from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance independent monitor may have this message: Not good enough.

Sunland Park Receives Full Accreditation

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has announced that Sunland Park in Sunland Park, New Mexico has received full accreditation by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

NTRA Relying Less on Membership Dues

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has adopted a $9.1 million budget for 2011 that relies less on dues from members and more on revenue from other programs.

Safety Alliance Plans First Education Seminar

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance will host the first NTRA Professional Education Seminar Oct. 19 in Lexington.

Belmont Event to Help Barbaro, Jockeys' Funds

A jockey autograph session to benefit the Barbaro Fund for Equine Health and Safety Research and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund will be held Saturday, June 26, at Belmont Park.

NTRA: 'Punching Bag' or Valued Resource?

As the National Thoroughbred Racing Association prepares for its June 3 board of directors meeting in New York amid a changing landscape, the organization's biggest challenge could very well be industry perception.

Sunland Receives Provisional Accreditation

Once all standards have been satisfied, Sunland Park may be awarded full Alliance accreditation from the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Pimlico Earns Full Safety Accreditation

All three Triple Crown host racetracks are now fully accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Pfizer Partners With NTRA Alliance

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association March 31 announced that Pfizer Animal Health has become an official Equine Health Promotional Partner of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Gretchen Jackson Joins NTRA Subcommittee

Gretchen Jackson, who owned Barbaro with her husband Roy, has joined an NTRA subcommittee focused on the care of retired racehorses. The subcommittee also works on improving standards for racetracks, industry participants.

Safety Alliance Releases Updated Standards

As expected, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance has updated its code of standards to include wagering security measures.

Golden Gate Fully Accredited by Alliance

Golden Gate Fields in Northern California is the 15th racetrack to be fully accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Aqueduct Fully Accredited by Safety Alliance

Aqueduct will reopen Dec. 26 after the Christmas break with full accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance in hand.

NTRA Prepares Expanded Code for Alliance

An expanded code of standards for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance should be ready for review and a vote by the NTRA board of directors in March 2010.

Alliance Report: Progress But Much More to Do

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance received a positive review from its independent monitor Dec. 8 but was also told it has a lot of work to do.

NTRA Projecting 25% Reduction in Budget

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association expects to approve a 2010 budget that's about 25% smaller than this year's spending plan, president and chief executive officer Alex Waldrop said.

Perception Improves, But Work Far From Over

Positive trends in the public perception of horse racing reinforce the need for the industry to work even harder, horsemen were told Dec. 5.

Safety Alliance Monitor Seeks Public Comment

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance is seeking public comment on its activities in advance of the release of an annual report in late December.

Groups Endorse 'Welfare Code of Practice'

The American Horse Council has drafted the "Welfare Code of Practice" for horses and hopes the document picks up widespread support in the industry.

Alliance Report on Way; Standards to Expand

The independent monitor for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance will conduct a "systematic and formal data-gathering phase" in the next few months and release a "detailed, comprehensive report" by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the alliance, which accredits racetracks, is developing standards for wagering security and tote protocol that will be included in the 2010 code.

Calder Accredited by NTRA Safety Alliance

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Sept. 25 that Calder Race Course has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility.

Fundraisers for Jockeys Set for Weekend

Jockeys throughout the United States and Canada will exhibit their unified show of support Sept. 5 for apprentice jockey Michael Straight, who was injured in a racing accident Aug. 26 at Arlington Park. On Sept. 6, River Downs in Ohio will raise money for disabled jockey Gary Birzer and jockey Justin Vitek, who continues to battle leukemia.

Poll: Progress in Racing, But Long Way to Go

A survey of sports fans and "core" horse racing fans indicates impressions have improved following a rough 2008, but nowhere near enough for industry officials to proclaim a turnaround.

Saratoga Fully Accredited by Safety Alliance

New York Racing Association-operated Saratoga has been fully accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, officials announced Aug. 21.

NTRA Alliance Designates Fundraising Dates

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Aug. 11 that Sept. 5-7 have been designated as national fundraising days for the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. The Alliance, formed last October with the goal of establishing national uniform standards in the areas of safety and integrity, includes 55 racetracks in North America and every major national horsemen's organization.