from the New York State Racing and Wagering Board

Schenectady, NY — This Directive is issued by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board as a result of the recent cases of strangles at Saratoga Raceway. It concerns the entry of horses that have raced or been stabled at Saratoga Raceway at any time during March 2012. This Directive establishes the minimum criteria for entry to New York State harness tracks.

The terms of this Directive should be considered to be a condition of the track’s racing license.

Please note that Part A is effective through and including April 30, 2012. Part B is effective through and including August 31, 2012.

Part A is applicable to horses that have been on a restricted track between March 1, 2012 and March 31, 2012 and have not been diagnosed with strangles:

1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection written within five days of arrival that states:
a. “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.”
b. 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 must have a negative strangles PCR test from a sample collected by nasopharyngeal wash or guttural pouch wash within 10 days from day of departure from the restricted track. The PCR test should be performed by a laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians or otherwise recognized by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

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

Part B is applicable to horses 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:
a. “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.”
b. 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 tests.
a. The first two PCR tests may be either from nasopharyngeal wash samples or guttural pouch wash samples.
b. The third PCR test must be from a sample collected by guttural pouch wash, accompanied by a normal endoscopic exam of both guttural pouches.
c. There must be at least seven days between each negative test.

3. The requirements listed above are in effect through August 31, 2012.