NEWS
NTRA safety team accredits Hollywood Park
Posted: Friday, June 26, 2009 2:18 PM
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced on Friday that Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California, has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations.
The accreditation was the culmination of a lengthy certification process that began with the track’s completion of a 48-page written application and continued as Hollywood Park hosted several meetings with alliance officials.
The on-site review included inspections of all facets of the racing facility, and interviews with track executives, racetrack personnel, jockeys, owners, trainers, stewards, regulators, and fans.
“The safety of our athletes—both equine and human—is of the utmost importance to everyone at Hollywood Park,” said Jack Liebau, President of Hollywood Park. “We take great pride in providing the safest conditions possible, which has been illustrated by the inspection process. Hollywood Park not only meets the standards of the alliance, it exceeds them in many categories.”
The inspection team, led by NTRA President Alex Waldrop, included Celeste Kunz, D.V.M, and Dan Fick, executive vice president of The Jockey Club. Observing the review was Mike Ziegler, executive director of the alliance.
Noteworthy findings at Hollywood included best practices in areas including equine ambulance services and equipment; participation in a groundbreaking training injury study coordinated by Drs. Jeff Blea and Wayne McIlwraith; and participation in track surface studies coordinated by Dr. Mick Peterson.
The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance’s purpose is to establish standards and practices to promote safety and integrity in horseracing and to secure their implementation. The accreditation program initially will focus on human and equine safety, but will be expanded to cover additional areas, including wagering security.
Hollywood is the fifth track to be so designated by the alliance. Churchill Downs and Keeneland were accredited in April; Belmont Park received accreditation in May; and Delaware Park was accredited earlier this month. Pimlico Race Course was granted provisional accreditation in May.
Arlington Park, Calder Race Course, Emerald Downs, and Monmouth Park are among the next racetracks that will undergo alliance review.
