The Jockey Club and The Stronach Group jointly announced today that Gulfstream Park will become the first racetrack to use the “Graded Stakes Out-of-Competition Testing Grant Fund,” which was announced at the 2013 Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing last August.

The fund provides for financial assistance from The Jockey Club to help defray qualifying expenses associated with out-of-competition testing programs. In both 2014 and 2015, The Jockey Club is making available up to $250,000 in funding.

“We owe it to our horsemen and our fans to provide fair competition,” said Tim Ritvo, president, COO and general manager of Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino, a property of The Stronach Group. “Out-of-competition testing is a way for Gulfstream Park to achieve that and the Florida Derby will be the first race in our program.”

“The Jockey Club strongly believes that out-of-competition testing promotes the integrity of Thoroughbred racing and over time will better the breed,” said James L. Gagliano, the president and COO of The Jockey Club. “We are extremely pleased that Gulfstream Park has stepped forward to become the first to participate in this program and we look forward to working with other interested tracks that wish to take advantage of it.”

A Thoroughbred racetrack’s participation in the Graded Stakes Out-of-Competition Testing Grant Fund is voluntary. Thoroughbred racetracks that elect to participate in the fund may receive reimbursement to defray some of the costs associated with out-of-competition testing subject to certain criteria.

Racetracks interested in participating in the Graded Stakes Out-of-Competition Testing Grant Fund and obtaining the eligibility criteria should contact The Jockey Club for more information.

The Graded Stakes Out-of-Competition Testing Grant Fund is also available to state regulatory authorities seeking to enhance their existing testing programs by applying directly to the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) for funds.

The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top racehorse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horse racing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horseracing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America’s premier supplier of virtual online horseracing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horse racing industry.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms. It is the sole funding source for America’s Best Racing, the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing. You can follow America’s Best Racing at americasbestracing.net. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.

The RMTC consists of 23 racing industry stakeholders and organizations that represent Thoroughbred, Standardbred, American Quarter Horse and Arabian racing. The organization works to develop and promote uniform rules, policies and testing standards at the national level; coordinate research and educational programs that seek to ensure the integrity of racing and the health and welfare of racehorses and participants; and protect the interests of the racing public. For additional information, visit the RMTC website at rmtcnet.com or call (859) 224-2848.