Prodded by a rash of equine deaths at Aqueduct Racetrack last winter, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board (NYSRWB) Oct. 11 imposed what officials promised will be just the first round of rules intended to make it safer for racehorses and jockeys.

The emergency rule-making actions by the NYSRWB came just a few weeks after a task force of industry experts, created in the wake of the Aqueduct deaths, issued a 100-page report filled with new reform ideas affecting everything from equine medication to claiming races to internal procedures at the New York Racing Association.

"These actions will provide a safer racing environment both for horses and jockeys," NYSRWB chairman John Sabini said. "The industry has woken up to the fact that everyone wants a safe racetrack for everyone. We want to see New York be the leader in that."

The expected action was reported by The Blood-Horse Oct. 10