Oaklawn Park has started “supertesting” horses in non-stakes races, the
Arkansas State Racing Commission announced Saturday.
“Oaklawn applauds the Arkansas Racing Commission and its chairman, Cecil
Alexander, for taking the lead on the issue of testing and the integrity of the
sport,” Oaklawn General Manager Eric Jackson said. “It lets everyone know that
in Arkansas we are concerned with the integrity of not only its stakes races,
but its day-to-day racing as well.”
In the past, the “supertest” had been applied only to stakes races. Now, as a
result of the policy change, the test will be done randomly to an unspecified
number of allowance and claiming races as well. The new policy took effect
immediately.
Last year, Oaklawn became one of the first racetracks in the United States to
test for milkshakes, which typically involves the administration of alkalizing
agents, and other substances, directly into a horse’s stomach. The practice is
thought to enhance a horse’s performance.
In addition, Oaklawn became one of the first tracks in this country to cut
off the controversial Caribbean off-track betting shops.