Management has made the decision to take the races off the turf tomorrow
Saturday, August 2nd.
Management made the decision to take the races off the turf today at
approximately 11:30am after Racing Manager Ashley Holliday walked the turf
course with two jockeys and an owner.
The Ohio HBPA was not asked to participate in this walking of the turf course
and was not part of the decision to take the races off the turf and were
informed only AFTER the decision was made today.
There will be regular training hours at Thistledown on Friday, August 1st but it will be restricted to jogging and galloping. No works will be allowed.
Representatives from Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratories will be at Thistledown Friday and will take measurements and evaluate the surface following training.
There will be training this Friday, August 1st at Thistledown. At this time it has not been determined whether horses will be allowed to work or just jog or gallop. We will provide further information when we receive it.
Racing has been cancelled the remainder of this week by HISA and track management.
There will be training both Wednesday and Thursday but horses will be restricted to jogging or galloping with No works allowed.
The 8 programs cancelled over the past two weeks will all be made up.
Belterra Park has moved first post to 11:15am for Wednesday, July 30th due to forecasted high heat index.
Thistledown management has cancelled racing and training for tomorrow Tuesday, July 29th,
There will be a horsemen’s meeting tomorrow morning at 11am in the track kitchen where Ohio HBPA representatives will provide any updates we have received.
All 6 of the cancelled racing days thus far this meet at Thistledown will be made up.
Thistledown has cancelled racing for both Wednesday, July 23rd and Thursday July
24th and training for both days also.
The cancellations are being made in order to ensure the racing surface is safe.
The Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory conducted testing of the Thistledown
racing surface last Saturday and complete results are expected back within the
next few days. The cancellations will also allow additional time for the track
crew to address concerns of the riders at Thistledown.
After the normal dark day Friday, training will resume at Thistledown on
Saturday, July 26th with live racing scheduled to resume on Monday, July 28th.
All four cancelled racing days this week will be made up on dates to be determined later.
Thistledown has cancelled racing for today Tuesday, July 22 due to the jockeys
refusing to ride citing safety concerns regarding the racing surface.
The Ohio HBPA organized a successful rock picking session following training
this morning with approximately 50 people walking the track and removing rocks from the surface
which was one of the concerns expressed by the jockeys.
The plan is to both train and race tomorrow Wednesday, July 23.
Due to the anticipated extreme heat Belterra Park has adjusted first post time to 11:15am from Wednesday June 25th through June 28th.
Also, horsemen at Belterra Park and Thistledown will be able to scratch this week without penalty due to the heat.
JUN 11, 2025
In recent months, HIWU has adjudicated several cases under the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program related to adenosine, a vasodilator, and Hemo 15, a foreign product that lacks FDA approval. Neither substance has any valid veterinary use in the racehorse.
Both substances are categorized as an S0 Non-Approved Banned Substance and therefore are prohibited from Use in a Covered Horse or Possession by a Covered Person at all times. Hemo 15 and any compounded product mimicking Hemo 15, as well as any products containing adenosine, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), or adenosine triphosphate (ATP)* should be disposed of immediately.
As a reminder, the Presence, Use, Administration, Possession, or Trafficking of any Banned Substance is subject to a period of Ineligibility of up to two years, a fine of up to $25,000, the disqualification of race results (as applicable), and public disclosure.
Horsemen or veterinarians with questions should reach out to [email protected].
