What does the Commission veterinarian do on race days?

The role of the Commission veterinarian on race days primarily involves examining horses scheduled to race, ensuring their fitness and health before they compete. This examination is critical for maintaining the integrity of the race and the safety of the animals involved. The veterinarian checks for any potential issues that could affect a horse's performance or pose a risk to its health, such as lameness or illness. By conducting these pre-race examinations, the veterinarian helps to uphold both the welfare of the horses and the fairness of the competition, confirming that all participants are in proper condition to race.

In contrast, training of the horses is typically the responsibility of the trainers, not the veterinarians. Announcing race results is a function of race officials or track announcers, and handling betting transactions is managed by the pari-mutuel clerks or other wagering officials, not the veterinarian. This distinction highlights the specialized role of the Commission veterinarian specifically in the health and welfare assessment of the horses.