Gulfstream Park has been fully accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, officials said March 29.
Gulfstream, located in Florida, is the 23rd racetrack to be accredited by the alliance. The accreditation is for a two-year period.
An on-site review included inspections of all facets of the racing facility, and interviews with track executives, racetrack personnel, jockeys, owners, trainers, stewards, and fans. Inspection team members were Dr. Ronald Jensen, racing official Richard Lewis, Mike Kilpack of the Organization of Racetrack Investigators, and Mike Ziegler, alliance executive director.
“(Gulfstream) received ‘best practice’ ratings in many areas including pre-race examination protocols; post-race observation protocols; fire safety planning and procedures; regular, weekly meetings with horsemen to discuss safety and other regulations; and its aftercare program, which is supported by the Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After Racing Fund,” Ziegler said.
“We are pleased to earn this accreditation and proud of the high marks our facility received in a wide variety of areas,” Gulfstream president and general manager Tim Ritvo said. “The safety of our athletes and the integrity of our product are fundamental to everyone on our staff.”