view raw text
NEW IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM ; Physical Examination and Photographs Planned for Hialeah Horses. Each Horse Photographed Front and Side Views to Eliminate Possibility of "Ringers." MIAMI, Fla., Dec. 10. Joseph E. Widener, president of the Miami Jockey Club, in keeping with his policy of progressive improvements, has announced that the system of photographing and identifying all horses, such as was used in New York the latter part of the season, together with a physical examination of every starter, will be adopted at Hialeah Park for the meeting, January 11 to March 4. The physical examination of horses will be made as near to race time as possible, this to prevent the possibility of tampering or drugging. The identification system is the last word in precaution against "ringers," and if adopted by all racing sectors, would be the means of preventing a horse from running in other than his right identity, in the opinion of Mr. Widener and other turf authorities. Each horse on the grounds is photographed, front and side views. Veterinarians are then sent to the stables, to check each marking and identification characteristic. This data, together with the name of the breeder, place of birth, date of foaling, The Jockey Club certificate number, owner and trainer, stable location, physical disabilities, color, sex and pedigree, are recorded on the special printed form on the reverse side of the photograph. Each day the paddock judge is supplied with a set of photographs and the above pertinent facts for each race. Thus, every horse is identified as it enters the paddock to be saddled for a race. PRE-RACE EXAMINATION. The pre-race examination by the veterinarian and his assistant, made just prior to post time, includes taking the temperature, heart action, pulse, respiration, nose and eye examination and a general checkup of the physical soundness of the thoroughbred, to determine its fitness to start. Such examination would disclose to the veterinarians whether the horse had departed from its normal conditions, as to temperature, heart action, pulse and respiration. Increased action of these conditions might indicate a drug stimulant had been administered. Retarded action would point to the fact that a drug depresant possibly had been used. An examination of the nasal passages protects the horse from going to the post in a sponged condition. Continued on second puge.J j NEW IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM Continued from first page. If the horses action in a race indicates that he might have been reached between the time of examination and the time he reached the post, another test is ordered immediately after the race. Should the pre-race examination disclose a condition other than normal, he would be withdrawn and saliva and other tests taken to determine the cause. When the pre-race examination shows the horse to be normal in every way the groom in attendance signs the veterinarians examination slip and from that time on he is held accountable for the condition of his horse until the animal leaves the paddock for the post. PLACE RESPONSD3DLITY. By thus placing the responsibility of the horses condition directly to one source during the period of likely drug administration, the groom is not apt to risk his charge alone for one moment. The advantages of this system are many. While the trainer will not be relieved of the responsibility he has in properly protecting his stable, it definitely assures him of greater precaution on the part of his stable hands during the period he himself is unable to be in attendance. This crucial time is just prior to a race when the trainer is waiting in the paddock for his horse to arrive for saddling. The pre-race examination also furnishes the trainer with an official veterinarians statement as to the health and soundness of his horse. It is a fact that too many trainers too seldom know the actual condition of their horses on the particular day they race, despite the time-worn saying that a horse is well because he eats well and looks well. To the public the values of the pre-race examination are even greater. Unsound horses would be detected before they entered the paddock and ordered withdrawn from the race in time to prevent them from making a wager on a thoroughbred that was not fit. The public would be assured, too. that the horses went to the post untampered with in any way. It was president Widener who first introduced the saliva test in this country at Hialeah Park and through his untiring initiative many innovations have been adopted since that have been of untold value to horsemen and public alike. The jiew identification and physical examination system is ! another step in his desire to make racing a better sport in America.
