Keeneland beefing up security, testing for Blue Grass

Taking a cue from other tracks with major Kentucky Derby preps, Keeneland will put in place extra security procedures for horses entered in the April 12 Blue Grass Stakes and subject the horses to additional testing, the track announced on Thursday.

The protocols, which are being implemented for the Blue Grass for the first time, according to Keeneland officials, include 24-hour security at each horse’s stall beginning on the morning of April 10, two days before the race, with guards logging in and out all visitors to the stall and monitoring all medication treatments. Any equipment in the stall, the horse’s feed and bedding, and all medication containers and syringes will be subject to search and seizure.

In addition, all horses entered in the race, regardless of where they are stabled, will have blood samples drawn some time in the days leading up to the Blue Grass for out-of-competition testing. All horses will be subject to total carbon dioxide testing one hour prior to the race, in addition to regular post-race testing.

The procedures are similar to those that have been put in place for horses running in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and the Santa Anita Derby over the past several years.