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.
The Maryland racetrack received provisional accreditation in 2009, and full accreditation in 2010. Under the alliance’s structure, tracks must be reaccredited every two years; Pimlico is good until 2013.
Alliance executive director Mike Ziegler said Pimlico, operated by the Maryland Jockey Club, recently underwent a complete review of all racing operations. The track’s live meet began April 1.
Pimlico is the third alliance-accredited racetrack to earn a reaccreditation this year behind Keeneland and Churchill Downs in Kentucky.
Interviews were conducted with track executives, racetrack personnel, jockeys, owners, trainers, stewards, and patrons, alliance officials said. The inspection team was comprised of Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, racing official Richard Lewis, and Ziegler, who said “best practices” were identified in infectious disease control protocols; veterinarian’s list protocols; substance abuse/addiction programs; and wagering security, including stop-wagering protocols.
“It was gratifying during the reaccreditation process to see that Pimlico had not just maintained its benchmarks from our previous inspection, but had made several upgrades and improvements over the past 12 months,” Ziegler said in a statement.
Thus far 20 racetracks have been fully accredited by the alliance.