Effective immediately, Buffalo Raceway will begin taking entries for horses that are not currently housed at Buffalo Raceway including from Monticello Raceway, Vernon Downs, Yonkers Raceway, and all harness tracks with the exception of horses that were stabled or raced at Saratoga Raceway from March 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012. The restriction for Saratoga Raceway stabled horses will remain in effect until May 1, 2012, when the restriction is expected to be lifted.

 

Upon lifting the restriction for Saratoga Raceway ship-ins, per NYS Racing and Wagering Board Directive dated April 5, 2012, any horse shipping in that was stabled or raced at Saratoga Raceway from March 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012 and was diagnosed by a veterinarian to have had Strangles within the preceding 12 months will be required to present to the race office a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection written within 5 days of arrival that at a minimum represents:

 

(a)

Horse (s) represented on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection have not been exposed to a confirmed or suspect case of Strep equi, nor has been shown clinical signs suggestive of Strep equi infection, nor has been febrile within the previous 21 days;

 

(b)

Horse (s) represented on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection have been vaccinated against Strangles.  If vaccinated, the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection must list the vaccine used, and date of administration.

 

And

Horse (s) represented on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection must have three consecutive negative PCR tests.  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 7 days between each negative test. 

 

Health certificates and PCR laboratory results must be faxed to the Buffalo Raceway race office at 716-648-1510 prior to the horse’s arrival.  While there have been no reported cases of Strangles at Buffalo Raceway, management continues to monitor the situation and may impose more restrictive measures should the situation warrant, or further directives are required by the NYS Racing and Wagering Board.