NYRA enacts safety initiatives

The New York Racing Association alerted horsemen to a pair of safety initiatives that will be enacted beginning Thursday.

First, a horse that is beaten by more than 12 lengths in five consecutive races will be ineligible to race at NYRA until approved by the NYRA veterinarian department.

Second, horses will be limited to four starts in a rolling eight-week period.

These are two of the initiatives put in place by Churchill Downs after that track experienced 12 equine fatalities early in its spring meet that ultimately forced it to move its racing operations to Ellis Park.

Belmont had two equine fatalities over the weekend and has had four racing-related fatalities at the meet. There have been three training-related fatalities since April 12 at Belmont.

◗ Post time for next Thursday’s card will be 1:05 p.m. That is the last Thursday card of the meet. Due to racing scheduled around July 4, June 29 and July 6 are dark days.

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