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Kentucky Protocol Would Target Emerging Drugs

The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council will recommend measures to allow the state to more quickly take action when regulators become aware of emerging illegal substances.

KHRC Considers Closer Review of Fatalities

Kentucky horse-racing regulators are looking at creating an equine mortality review committee that would dig into details about each horse leading up to a life-ending injury.

Jockey Arroyo Experiencing Ups and Downs

Since returning to the saddle last fall after a lengthy absence, jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. has had his ups and downs while riding on the Kentucky circuit.

Kentucky Trainer Suspended 180 Days

A trainer who has not had a starter since 2011 has been suspended 180 days by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission as a result of positive drug test in January 2011.

KY Historical Racing Exceeds $356 Million

Wagering on historical races, an electronic form of gaming in which the outcome is determined by the results of previously run races, continues to soar in Kentucky and has exceeded the $356 million mark through May.

Decision on Sign DQ Expected in Early July

David Royse, representing Sign's owners, said the stewards mistakenly believed they were obligated to include a disqualification (and resulting purse forfeiture) as a minimum requirement of the current KHRC rule.

Clean Test Results for Derby, Oaks Starters

The KHRC received the post-race test results May 7 from both the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and all samples have been cleared.

Increased Security in Effect for Derby Horses

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission began 24-hour security May 1 for horses entered in the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Ruling: John Veitch Improperly Dismissed

A hearing officer for Kentucky Personnel Board has recommended that fired chief racing steward John Veitch should be reinstated to his former position and be awarded all back pay and benefits.

Average Daily Handle Down 4% at Turfway Meet

Though total pari-mutuel handle during the recent winter/spring meet at Turfway Park fell almost 30% from the same meet in 2012, average daily handle was down 4% because of 11 fewer live racing days.

KHRC to Review Rodriguez License Application

Kentucky will not immediately approve the license application of trainer Rudy Rodriguez, who is pointing Gotham Stakes (gr. III) winner Vyjack to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 4 at Churchill Downs.

Ky. Commission Seeks Review of Stewart Ruling

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has voted to ask the state Supreme Court for discretionary review of a recent Court of Appeals decision overturning Dr. Rod Stewart's four-year suspension for possession of cobra venom.

KHRC Approves More Historical Racing Machines

Despite concerns voiced by one member, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has approved an additional 40 historical race wagering machines and additional types of games and wagers at Kentucky Downs.

On Salix, Kentucky Feeling Alone on Ledge

With Breeders' Cup at least slowing implementation of its race-day Salix prohibition, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission could revisit its plans to ban use of the diuretic on race day.

KHRC Accepts Report Upholding Dutrow Decision

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted March 13 to accept a hearing officer's recommendation upholding the regulatory body's decision to deny trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. a license for 2011.

Judge Rejects Motion by Veitch's Attorneys

A Circuit Court judge in Kentucky has rejected a motion from attorneys for John Veitch to be able to take a deposition from a member of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in connection with the Life At Ten case.

Conway: KHRC Withheld Information on Veitch

A member of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission said a key piece of information was withheld from commissioners when they voted last year to suspend former chief state steward John Veitch for a year.

Veterinarian Sues KHRC Over Records Access

An equine veterinarian has filed suit against the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission seeking access to records of owners and trainers licensed by the regulatory agency.

Turfway Race to Spotlight NARA Grads

Graduates from the North American Racing Academy will compete in the first Catch a Riding Star challenge race at Turfway Park on Spiral Stakes (gr. III) day March 23.

Stewards Disqualify Sign from Pocahontas Win

Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards have disqualified Sign from her victory in last season's Pocahontas Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs following a positive test for methocarbamol (Robaxin).

No Down Time at Turfway Park in February

Turfway Park has decided to race four additional days in February, meaning there will be continuity for the duration of its winter/spring meet.

KY Historical Race Wagering Now at $228M

Wagering on historical races in Kentucky generated more than $3.8 million for purses and the state Thoroughbred Development Fund from September 2011 through December 2012.

KY Pilot Program on Substance Abuse Set

In January 2013, Turfway Park will launch a pilot drug and alcohol abuse program designed to assist Kentucky Horse Racing Commission licensees.

KHRC Staff Outlines New Salix Procedures

Members of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission staff outlined changes that have been put in place to prevent future mistakes in the administration of race-day Salix at the state's tracks.

Kentucky Approves Major Schedule Changes

The schedule shifts September racing dates from Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky to Churchill in Louisville. February will offer just four race dates in the state, at Turfway Park.

Churchill Downs Gets OK for September Dates

After last-minute horse-trading and some tough compromises, Kentucky's five Thoroughbred tracks have reached agreement on a 2013 calendar that drastically alters the traditional schedule.

Veitch Moves Forward With Appeal

Former Kentucky Chief Steward John Veitch is appealing a circuit court decision upholding his one-year suspension and aspects of his firing.

Kentucky Downs Seeks Three March Dates in '13

Kentucky Downs, the all-turf track that recently completed a hugely successful five-day meet, is seeking eight live racing dates in 2013, including three in March.

KY Commission Approves 30% Sale of Ellis Park

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has given unanimous approval for the sale of a 30% interest in Ellis Park racetrack to an entity controlled by Saratoga Raceway and Casino for $4 million.

KY Breeders' Fund Finds Some Stability

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund had more than 8,000 mares registered by the Aug. 15 deadline, about the same number as last year.

Harness Execs Buying 30% Interest in Ellis

A newly formed entity owned by executives of Saratoga Harness Racing Inc. has received initial approval to purchase 30% of Ellis Park for $4 million.

What's Going On Here: One Step Forward...

The Kentucky HBPA's statement wasn't the one it hoped to make.

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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.

Governor Implements New KY Drug Regulations

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear Aug. 30 said regulations designed to reform some aspects of the state's equine medication policy will be implemented despite action by a legislative committee that found them deficient.

KY Committee Says New Drug Rules 'Deficient'

A Kentucky legislative subcommittee, in a surprise vote, found regulations governing equine medication "deficient" Aug. 27, just one week before they are scheduled to take effect.

KY Race-Day Drug Rules Will Change Sept. 4

Furosemide will be the only medication permitted on race day in Kentucky effective Sept. 4, and the drug will be administered by regulatory veterinarians only under new Kentucky Horse Racing Commission rules.

Details Offered in 'Paper Trainer' Incident

A hearing conducted by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's license review committee brought out details of an incident in which horse ran under the name of a "paper trainer."

Kentucky Tries to Reduce Fatalities

The veterinary staff of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has added some additional protocols to its operations in an effort to cut down on the number of equine fatalities at the state's tracks.

Exercise Rider Beccia Licensed in Kentucky

Bryan Beccia, the regular exercise rider for Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Monarchos and other top horses, has been granted a conditional license to resume his career in Kentucky.

KY Outrider, Trainer Suspended for Deception

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's license review committee has suspended the lead outrider at Keeneland Racecourse for 16 months for his role in training a horse that raced in the name of a licensed trainer.

Major Issues Discussed at RCI Board Meeting

While many of racing's major issues were discussed at the July 25 meeting of the board of directors of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, the agenda called for few decisions to be made.

Hearing Set on Veitch's Appeal of Suspension

A Kentucky Circuit Court judge has scheduled a hearing on former chief Kentucky racing steward John Veitch's request for the court to reverse his one-year suspension stemming from the Life At Ten case.

Top Court Asked to Hear Instant Racing Case

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and other supporters of Instant Racing have requested that a lawsuit challenging the legality of the machines be heard by the state Supreme Court rather than going back to a lower court.

Albarado Found Guilty of Assault

A Jefferson District Court jury found jockey Robby Albarado guilty of fourth-degree assault July 12 after hearing evidence about an incident involving a former girlfriend, Carolina Martinez.

KHRC: No Dermorphin Found in Tested Samples

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission said July 11 no dermorphin, a pain-killer more powerful than morphine, was found in samples tested from some horses that raced in this year's Derby and Oaks.

KY Derby, Oaks Samples Tested for Dermorphin

Test samples taken from some runners in this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) are among those that are now being tested for dermorphin.

For Regulators, Salix Debate Just Beginning

Regulators around the country are examining the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's move to phase out race-day furosemide in graded and listed stakes beginning in 2014, but there doesn't appear to be a rush to follow suit.

Remedy Sought in Latest KHRC, Veitch Dispute

A Circuit Court judge has told John Veitch to obtain a letter of interest for his services from a Kentucky racetrack and then re-submit his license application to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Former Chief Steward Veitch Seeks License

Attorneys for John Veitch have filed a motion seeking to force the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to consider a license application from the former Kentucky chief racing steward.

Appeals Court Remands KY Instant Racing Case

The Kentucky Court of Appeals has remanded the Instant Racing case to Franklin County Circuit Court after vacating that court's findings.