by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — The New Jersey Racing Commission has cleared the out of competition tests screened to date on entrants in the $5.5 million Breeders Crown races to be held Friday (Nov. 21) and Saturday (Nov. 22) at the Meadowlands.

This procedure has been routine for nearly a decade in the Hambletonian Society sponsored and owned Breeders Crown events, as well as the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks.

Earlier this week samples were drawn from finalists entered throughout New Jersey, and those stabled in other jurisdictions were also tested with the cooperation of the participating horsemen.

All horses must report six hours in advance of race time to a secure stakes barn at The Meadowlands.

All contestants will be post-race tested according to standard New Jersey Racing Commission procedures and all winners of the Breeders Crown races and randomly chosen horses from each field will be subject to the “Super Test” screening, which detects the broadest array of substances.

The out of competition drug testing is used to detect evidence of blood doping, and is a condition of entry for the Breeders Crown, Hambletonian and the Hambletonian Oaks. This testing is in addition to earlier out of competition testing done privately by the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Post time for both nights is 7:15 p.m.