Aqueduct: NYRA institutes new safety guidelines

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The New York Racing Association announced Friday that it will institute two new policies in an attempt to provide safer racing conditions.

First, NYRA will begin enforcing a house rule that will allow P.J. Campo, the director of racing, Anthony Verderosa, the chief examining vet, the right to refuse entry of a horse with which “they have any nature of concern.”

Second, when racing returns to the main track, the bottom claiming level will be raised from $7,500 to $10,000 and then to $12,500 when Belmont opens on April 27.

Presumably, the claiming price level will weed out some of the more noncompetitive horses routinely seen during the winter meet.

There have been nine horses who suffered fatal injuries since the inner track opened Nov. 30.