Monday night was the first of racing things were hectic after much unnecessarily created confusion by some actions by management. After resolving that in mid afternoon management asked for the SOA’s help in making sure there is compliance with the trainer’s responsibility under this part of its original protocol. We encourage and urge all trainers to comply and remind one and all that in the very near future medical and retirement benefits will in part be based on information including the groom’s name and matching license number as recorded on the paddock sign in sheets. All grooms should present their licenses to paddock security to make sure that:
a) their license is current and
b) where otherwise eligible for benefits they are not excluded for failure to provide that information.
Accordingly, in aid of all these factors , trainers are asked to comply with this portion of the original protocol until we get to the point that all grooms and caretakers are automatically deemed essential personnel and the paddock sign in sheets submitted to the NYSGC fulfills management’s obligation.
Trainer must notify Race Office which licensed horseman will accompany the horse racing at Yonkers. Once designated by the trainer, that designated licensee will be added to Essential Persons List. Only individuals on the Essential Persons list will be allowed in the paddock. No visitors, guests or owners will be permitted in the paddock. The Essential Persons List is submitted to the New York State Gaming Commission on a daily basis.