Enhanced security measures for Jockey Club Gold Cup

As has been the case with races carrying a purse of at least $1 million over the last few years on this circuit, horses competing in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Sept. 27 will be subject to enhanced security protocols during the three days leading up to the race, the New York State Gaming Commission announced Friday.

All horses participating in the Jockey Club Gold Cup will be subject to out-of-competition testing and must be on the grounds by noon Sept. 24, with horses arriving later than that being up to the stewards’ discretion. Trainers of horses participating in the Gold Cup must provide complete veterinary records for three days leading up to the race. Those records will be posted on the gaming commission’s website. Additionally, horses will be monitored at all times during the 72-hour period leading up to the race.

The protocols are similar to what has been in place for all of NYRA’s $1 million-plus races, including the Belmont Stakes. While horses in the Gold Cup may remain in their own barns leading up to the race, they will, on race day, be required to be in the assembly barn between 45 minutes to 1 hour before post time for TC02 sampling. They will then be escorted with security to the paddock.

At the Belmont Stakes in June, trainer Michael Maker was fined $2,500 for not having General a Rod at the assembly barn in a timely fashion.