HISA rep visits Laurel to assist horsemen with use of portal

As part of a Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority outreach program, Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, Director of Equine Safety and Welfare, visited racetracks in Maryland and two other states to assist trainers with entering vaccination information in the HISA portal and to answer any other questions about the system.

Durenberger, who took the job with HISA last fall after serving as The Jockey Club steward at the New York Racing Association tracks, visited the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association office at Laurel Park Jan. 8. She was at Aqueduct Racetrack Jan. 7 and traveled to Parx Racing Jan. 9.

"HISA sent some personnel to various racetracks to assist horsemen and horsewomen with vaccine-related procedures, registration of new horses, and to answer general questions about procedures," Durenberger said. "We also are identifying areas where we can make our side of the process more efficient (to benefit trainers). It's troubleshooting, and the hope is that it's the start of regular in-person communications. We will be visiting more racetracks in the future."