Parx accredited by Safety and Integrity Alliance
Parx Racing, the Philadelphia-area racetrack, has been accredited by an industry-funded health and safety organization for the first time, according to an announcement by the group.
Parx was fully accredited and recognized for several “best practices,” according to the Safety and Integrity Alliance, an arm of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association that was formed in 2008 along the lines of other industry-funded accrediting agencies. Parx had not applied for accreditation until this year, and it is the first racetrack in Pennsylvania to receive accreditation. Applications for accreditation are voluntary.
In a release, the Safety and Integrity Alliance said that Parx qualified as conforming to industry best practices in the areas of jockey health, medication and testing standards (Pennsylvania’s racing regulations conform to the National Uniform Medication Program), fire and safety planning, and Thoroughbred aftercare.
Parx applied for accreditation during a time of intense criticism of the racing industry from some quarters of society. Parx was the 25th North American track to receive accreditation, and that roster includes most of the high-profile tracks currently operating.