The independent monitor for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Safety and Integrity Alliance will conduct a “systematic and formal data-gathering phase” in the next few months and release a “detailed, comprehensive report” by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the alliance, which accredits racetracks, is developing standards for wagering security and tote protocol that will be included in the 2010 code.

Tommy Thompson, the former governor of Wisconsin and secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services hired to oversee the alliance racetrack accreditation process, said in a Sept. 24 letter to NTRA president and chief executive officer Alex Waldrop the review will include a public comment period. The final report will be made public, he said.

Thus far, 12 tracks in the United States have been accredited, 11 fully and one provisionally