CTT pledges funds for surveillance cameras

DEL MAR, Calif. – The California Thoroughbred Trainers group has pledged $150,000 to help fund a proposal to install portable cameras throughout the stables of California’s Thoroughbred tracks for race-day surveillance.

The issue is expected to be discussed at a California Horse Racing Board medication committee meeting Friday at Del Mar. The primary topic will be the administration of Lasix by third-party veterinarians. Trainers currently employ veterinarians to administer the medication, but the racing board has proposed hiring outside veterinarians to handle the task.

The issue was part of a heated discussion at the racing board’s monthly meeting Aug. 20 at Del Mar, which ended without action. Third-party administration must be approved by the racing board. The rules regarding the administration must go through a lengthy review process by the state attorney general’s office. If implemented, the rule would not take place until the first few months of 2016 at the earliest.

In a statement released this week, the CTT said it was in support of third-party Lasix administration and emphasized that its proposal would increase backstretch security and allow surveillance of activity in a horse’s stall on race days.