by Scott Warren, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs will conduct its first qualifiers for the 2012 racing season this Friday (April 13) at 11 a.m.

Three more qualifiers are scheduled prior to opening night (April 27): Friday (April 20) at 11 a.m., Tuesday (April 24) at 6:55 p.m. and Friday (April 27) at 11 a.m. The entry box for each qualifier will close at 10 a.m. the day before.

Below are requirements per the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. Any questions, contact the racing office at 315.829.6825.

Horses shipping into Tioga and Vernon Downs

If you raced or were stabled at Saratoga between 3/1/12 and 3/31/12 and have not been diagnosed with strangles:

1. You must have a Veterinary Inspection written within five days of the arrival that states:

• “Horse(s) represented on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection have not been exposed to a confirmed or suspect case of Strep equi, nor have shown clinical signs suggestive of Strep equi infection, nor have been febrile within the previous 21 days.”
• Whether or not the horse is vaccinated against strangles. If vaccinated, the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection must list the vaccine used, and date of administration.

2. Horse(s) must have a negative strangles PCR test from a sample collected by nasopharyngeal wash or guttural pouch wash. The PCR test should be performed by a laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory of Agriculture and Markets.

3. The requirements listed above are in effect through April 30, 2012.

If you had a horse diagnosed by a veterinarian to have had strangles within the preceding 12 months:

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection written within five days of arrival that states:

• “Horse(s) represented on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection have not been exposed to a confirmed or suspect case of Strep equi, nor have shown clinical signs of suggestive of Strep equi infection, nor have been febrile within the previous 21 days.”
• Whether or not the horse is vaccinated against strangles. If vaccinated, the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection must list the vaccine used, and date of administration.

2. Three consecutive negative strangles PCR test.

• The first two PCR tests may be either from nasopharyngeal wash samples or guttural pouch wash samples.
• The third PCR test must be from a sample collected by guttural pouch wash, accompanied by a normal endoscopic exam of both guttural pouches.
• There must be at least seven days between each negative test.