Stronach Group: 60-Day “stand-down” for indicted trainers’ horses

by Press Release | Mar 12, 2020 | Breaking, Business, National news

Photo of racing at Laurel Park by Jim McCue.

The Stronach Group announced today that all horses who were under the custody of trainers named in the federal indictment earlier this week will undergo a mandatory minimum of a 60-day stand down period and are prohibited from racing at any Stronach Group racing facility during that time.

“Our goal is to keep these horses safe and from competing if there is any possibility that they may have performance-enhancing drugs in their system,” said Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinarian, The Stronach Group. “This is being done not only to first and foremost protect the horses, but also to protect the majority of the trainers and owners who are doing things properly. We are disgusted by the conduct set out in the indictments. It is extremely important to honor our commitment to always put the health and safety of the horse first.”

The trainers named in the indictment were barred from entering their horses at any Stronach Group facility earlier this week.

Who was indicted? And for what?

All horses who were under custody of trainers at the time of indictment have been placed on the Official Veterinarian’s List for a minimum of 60 days. The time period of 60 days started from the time the horse was transferred from the custody of an indicted individual.

In order to be removed from the Official Veterinarian’s List, these horses must have a hair sample submitted for testing a minimum of 30 days after being transferred and must test clean for any prohibitive substances. At the conclusion of the 60 days, and with a negative hair test, the horse can work off of the Official Veterinarian’s List with approved medication for their jurisdiction and pass both a blood and urine test. Under normal circumstances only a blood test is required when working off of the Official Veterinarian’s List.

The Stronach Group will also institute a stand down period for horses recently claimed from the indicted individuals. Those horses will be placed on the Official Veterinarian’s List for minimum of 60 days, effective from the date of the claim. All claimed horses are subject to out-of-competition testing, including blood, urine and hair testing (performed a minimum of 30 days after the claim) and must also work off of the Official Veterinarian’s List.

A complete list of requirements for all of the affected horses is available from the racing offices of each Stronach Group track.