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Kentucky HBPA 'Disappointed' With Override

The Kentucky HBPA said Aug. 31 it is "frustrated and extremely disappointed" with the decision by Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to override a vote by a legislative committee that found new equine medical rules deficient.

Groups Critical of KY Medication Rules Vote

Two national organizations said Aug. 28 they find it "troubling" factions in Kentucky horse racing are opposing medication regulations proposed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission but shot down by a legislative committee.

WV Sets Salix Meeting; Updated Rules Filed

The West Virginia Racing Commission has officially scheduled a meeting for Sept. 17 to take comments from industry representatives on the use of furosemide, also known as Salix or Lasix, on race day.

No Middle Ground in Battle Over Salix Use?

There doesn't seem to be any middle ground in the debate over the anti-bleeding drug furosemide, and it seems doubtful the two sides will come together any time soon.

Safety Alliance Standards Updated for 2012

Members of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance have been given the updated code of standards for 2012, officials said March 12.

New York Revises Bute Administration Rule

New York is returning to a standard banning the use of phenylbutazone in horses in the 48 hours leading up to a race. The state Racing and Wagering Board on Feb. 29 adopted a final rule revising the Bute time and threshold.

Romans to Begin 7-Day Suspension

Trainer Dale Romans is to begin serving a seven-day suspension Feb. 13 stemming from a positive test on one of his horses for phenylbutazone after a race last November at Aqueduct, Daily Racing Form reports.

Approval of Bute Rule Slowed in Louisiana

A Louisiana Senate committee rejected an emergency rule approved by the Louisiana State Racing Commission to lower the testing threshold level for phenylbutazone from 5 micrograms per milliliter to 2 micrograms.

Trainers: Do Not Ban Anti-Bleeder Medications

Saying they support efforts to limit race-day medications, two prominent Thoroughbred trainers said they hope the initiatives do not go so far as to ban use of the anti-bleeder drug known as Salix.

RCI Board Votes to Lower Bute Threshold

The Association of Racing Commissioners International board of directors voted Oct. 22 to lower the threshold level for phenylbutazone from five micrograms per milliliter of plasma or serum to two.

Give Bute the Boot - By Eric Mitchell

Few issues in horse racing fire up people's emotions like medication. A couple of years ago the target was anabolic steroids, and the industry reacted quickly.

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Upset Lingers Over Proposed Bute Regulation

The largest horsemen's group in the country continues to call for the racing industry to perform thorough research before it continues with its plan to lower the testing threshold for phenylbutazone.

Model Rules Committee OKs New Bute Standard

The Model Rules Committee of the Association of Racing Commissioners International has voted 12-0, with one abstention, to recommend lowering the threshold of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Phenylbutazone.

Bute Not in Racing's Best Interest

What do NSAIDs do? They hide pain and reduce inflammation. By Dr. Rick Arthur

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New Bute Threshold to Be Considered

A recommendation to lower the recommended threshold for phenylbutazone will be considered by the Model Rules Committee of the Association of Racing Commissioners International.

Officials Cite Progress Made in Drug Testing

Laboratories that test samples for the presence of drugs in California, Delaware, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and other states have signed letters of intent to submit to accreditation.

Wanted: Supporters of Change in Bute Rules

Proposals to alter medication regulations will again be discussed by the National HBPA during its summer convention in July.

Commentary: Culture Change

By Bobby Trussell - Fifty years ago, the average number of lifetime starts per runner was more than 40. Now, shockingly, it is less than 14. Why? What has changed so much?

Contessa Suspended, Fined $1,000 for Bute Positive

Trainer Gary Contessa has been fined $1,000 and suspended seven days for the finding of the drug Phenylbutazone in post race samples taken from his starter Sheer Silk.

Shock-Wave Regulations, Threshold Levels Sought

Kentucky officials will consider regulations for use of shock-wave therapy in racehorses and also whether money for equine drug research should be spent on establishing threshold levels and withdrawal times for permitted medications.

Study: Heavy Bute Use May Cause More Harm Than Good

An Ohio State University study indicates that chronic use of phenylbutazone, or Bute, in horses with joint problems could be causing more problems than it's preventing.

The New Breed

By Ray Paulick -- By almost any measure, Thoroughbreds racing today are not much faster and certainly less durable than their ancestors.

New York Bill Would OK Race-Day Bute

The use of phenylbutazone would be permitted on race days in New York under legislation recently proposed by Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, a Yonkers Raceway booster. In New York, the pain-killer can't be administered to a horse within 48 hours of a race.

Montjeu To Run on Bute in Turf

Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor's Montjeu will not be administered lasix prior to the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT), but the 4-year-old colt will be racing on bute in the 1 1/2-mile race, trainer John Hammond told Sporting Life.