Trainers, attending vets must agree to these CDI rules to race

From Churchill Downs (Coady Photography photo of #9 Gamblin Train winning Churchill allowance)

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CDI Rules and Conditions for Racing and Training

As a condition to, and in consideration for the undersigned trainer (“Trainer”) being permitted to race, work, or train any horse at Churchill Downs Racetrack (CDRT) and Churchill Downs Training Center (Trackside) the Trainer and the undersigned Trainer’s attending veterinarian (“Attending Veterinarian”) hereby agree to be bound by the following Conditions:

1. At all times, a horse must be in serviceable, sound racing condition in order to race, work or train at CDRT or Trackside. The Trainer acknowledges that it is his/her obligation to confirm the horse is in serviceable, sound racing condition in order to race, work or train on CDRT or Trackside Grounds.

2. Trainer will not enter a horse in any race UNLESS the horse has: (a) been examined by Trainer’s Attending Veterinarian during the three (3) days immediately preceding the entry to race for the express purpose of evaluating the horse’s fitness to race; and (b) been found fit to race by the Attending Veterinarian. This evaluation shall include, at a minimum, watching the horse jog. The Attending Veterinarian and Trainer are obligated to inform the CDI Equine Medical Director and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (“KHRC”) official veterinarian (or his or her designee) of any changes in the horse’s fitness after entry through race day. Extenuating Circumstances to the examination requirement of this rule will be handled by the Racing Office in conjunction with the CDI Equine Medical Director on a case-by-case basis.

3. Trainer will not permit a horse to work UNLESS the horse has: (a) been examined by the Trainer’s Attending Veterinarian during the five (5) days immediately preceding the work for the express purpose of evaluating the horse’s fitness to work; and (b) been found fit to work by the Attending Veterinarian (this evaluation shall include, at a minimum, watching the horse jog).  The Attending Veterinarian and Trainer are obligated to inform the CDI Equine Medical Director (or his or her designee) of any changes in the horse’s fitness after the examination set forth above and before the horse works. 

4. Trainer will not enter in any race a horse that is an unstarted four year-old or older or has not raced in the preceding 365 days UNLESS, in addition to the criteria set forth in Section 2, above, the horse has worked 5 furlongs in 1:03 or better for the CDI Equine Medical Director (or his or her designee) in the previous thirty (30) days. Horses that have not raced within 120 days but have raced within 365 days must have an examination performed by the CDI Equine Medical Director (or his or her designee) prior to entry. Based upon that examination, the CDI Equine Medical Director may require the horse to work prior to being allowed to enter. If the horse is required to work it must meet the same requirements as a horse that is working off of the KHRC’s Official Veterinarian’s list.

5. Under no circumstances shall an examination conducted by a veterinarian who has NOT been identified as the Trainer’s Attending Veterinarian in compliance with these Conditions constitute a valid examination for purposes of determining a horse’s fitness to race, work or train.

6. CDRT and the CDI Equine Medical Director are entitled (but not obligated) to contact, without prior notice, Trainer’s Attending Veterinarian to confirm that examinations have been conducted pursuant to these Conditions and that any such examination meets CDRT’s requirements. CDRT and the CDI Equine Medical Director shall have the right (but not the obligation) to examine and review all records of examinations performed in accordance with these Conditions.

7. All horses entered to race at CDRT, or are on CDRT or Trackside Grounds, are subject to: (a) veterinary inspections by the CDI Equine Medical Director and (b) veterinary monitoring. Trainer and Trainer’s staff will cooperate fully with all requests made by CDI veterinarians and outriders.

8. All horses at any Kentucky Training Facility are subject to (a) veterinary inspections by the staff or contractor of the Kentucky Training Facility and (b) veterinary monitoring.  Trainer and Trainer’s staff will fully cooperate with all requests made by the Kentucky Training Facility, veterinarians and outriders.  Both Trainer and Attending Veterinarian consent to sharing all information as a result of such inspections and monitoring with CDRT.

9. As used herein, the term “Attending Veterinarian” shall include the undersigned veterinarian and any veterinarian who is a member of his/her veterinary practice.

10. As used herein, the term “Kentucky Training Facility” shall mean a horse training center or facility in the Commonwealth that records official timed workouts for publication and that is affiliated with a racing association.  Kentucky Training Facility shall include CDRT and Trackside.

11. If stabled on CDRT or Trackside Grounds, both Trainer and the Attending Veterinarian will abide by all rules and regulations of CDRT, including, without limitation, House Rules (including those relating to TCO2 or “Milkshake” testing and all medication, Medical and integrity rules), or other rules (including, without limitation, all rules set forth in CDRT’s Condition Book, CDRT’s Stall Application, the Rules of the Barn Area, and the Rules of the Track), all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. Trainer and Attending Veterinarian shall be responsible for obtaining and becoming familiar with such rules and regulations.

12. Both Trainer and Attending Veterinarian will abide by all rules and regulations of the KHRC, at any time expressly incorporated by reference herein, and the rules and regulations of the KHRC, at any time adopted or as they may be amended (collectively, “KHRC Regulations”). Trainer and Attending Veterinarian shall be responsible for obtaining and becoming familiar with such rules and regulations.

13. Any failure by CDRT to enforce any terms or conditions of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver by CDRT, and shall not affect or impair this Agreement in any way, or the right of CDRT at any time to enforce this Agreement. 

 CDRT’s approval or consent to any action proposed by Trainer or Attending Veterinarian shall not affect Trainer or Attending Veterinarian’s obligation to strictly comply with this Agreement.  

14. Both Trainer and the Attending Veterinarian understand and acknowledge that these Conditions shall be in effect from the earliest date noted below through the end of the CDRT Spring 2020 Race Meet, and for Trainers that have horse(s) on CDRT or Trackside Grounds, these Conditions shall be in effect from earliest date noted below and for so long as Trainer has horse(s) on CDRT or    Trackside Grounds.

By signing below, Trainer acknowledges and agrees that Trainer (a) has read and fully understands the Conditions and agrees to be bound by them, (b) will consult with Trainer’s Attending Veterinarian and the CDI Equine Medical Director if Trainer has any questions regarding such Conditions, and (c) will fully comply with the Conditions. 

By signing below, the Attending Veterinarian acknowledges and agrees that he/she (a) is the Attending Veterinarian for the undersigned Trainer, (b) has read and fully understands the above Conditions and agrees to be bound by them, (b) will consult with the CDI Equine Medical Director if he/she has any questions regarding such Conditions, and (c) will comply fully with the Conditions. 

Any change in the party that will be acting as the Trainer’s Attending Veterinarian requires Trainer and the new Attending Veterinarian to submit a fully executed copy of these Conditions to CDRT’s Racing Office.