Horsepeople please note that if you are racing at Plainridge Park on Monday (May 27), paddock arrival times have changed effective immediately and will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
Changes to a pre-race blood draw schedule that was implemented on the first day of the 2019 racing season have negatively impacted the ability of our horsemen to properly warm-up their horses. Citing the potential for harm to the horses, the safety of the individuals racing, and to also protect the integrity of our product for the betting public, HHANE requested that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) make an immediate change in this procedure.
As a result, effective with racing on Monday (May 27) the MGC has agreed to make that schedule change thus allowing horses to be warmed up earlier than under the current procedure.
Also effective immediately as per the MGC, horses will be required to be in the paddock two hours prior to the individual race post time for all races.
The Lasix procedure remains unchanged.
HHANE will provide feedback to the MGC with supporting data if it is determined that further changes are needed.
Below are the paddock arrival times that become effective starting with the 4:00 p.m. post on Monday (May 27). This schedule has been posted on the racing information page of the HHANE website and HHANE will also be reaching out to trainers and drivers racing Monday to ensure they are aware of this immediate change in paddock arrival times.
The new paddock arrival and Lasix times are as follows:
