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Kentucky Sets Town Hall Meeting on Salix

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has scheduled a town hall meeting for June 5 to discuss the proposed three-year phase-out of the race-day drug furosemide.

Vets Report Safe Kentucky Oaks and Derby

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission reported successful Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) programs from an equine safety standpoint.

Split Over Race-Day Salix Continues in KY

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission May 16 kept alive a proposed regulation to phase out over three years race-day furosemide for graded and listed stakes, but not before the Equine Drug Research Council voted to reject it.

KHRC to Discuss, But Not Vote on, Salix Plan

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission confirmed it will discuss but not take final action May 16 on a proposal for the three-year phase-out of race-day furosemide in graded and listed stakes.

Derby Vets Ensure Safety for the Horses

The goal of these vets is to keep a close eye on hopefuls', and then contenders', conditions, catching any lump, misstep, or hint of malaise that could compromise performance ability in the days prior to the big race.

Phillips Named to Kentucky Racing Commission

Darby Dan Farms owner John Phillips has been appointed to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission as a replacement for John Ward Jr., who recently was hired as executive director of the regulatory agency.

KY Court to Act Quickly on Instant Racing

The Kentucky Court of Appeals is expected to issue an opinion on the challenge to Instant Racing machines in four to six weeks, one of three judges said April 25 after hearing oral arguments on the issue.

Hansen: Disappointed Horse's Tail Not Blue

The co-owner of top 3-year-old colt Hansen said he was willing to go ahead and race his horse in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) with the colt's tail dyed blue in defiance of regulators and incur a fine.

KY Horsemen Seek Beshear's Help on Medication

The Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has requested Gov. Steve Beshear not to sign any request to implement on an emergency basis a ban on race-day use of furosemide.

Judge Grants Stay of Veitch Suspension

A Circuit Court judge has granted a stay of the enforcement of a one-year suspension imposed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on former chief steward John Veitch.

Instant Racing Continues to Thrive in KY

With an appeals court planning to hear arguments later this month on the legality of Instant Racing, the electronic form of gaming continues to generate significant revenues for Kentucky Downs and the state's horse industry.

Ward Seeks Short Delay in Starting KHRC Job

John Ward Jr., recently hired as executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, has asked to begin his new job April 16, not April 1 as previously announced.

Borden Named KY State Racing Steward

Barbara Borden, a longtime racing official on the Kentucky circuit, was named state racing steward effective April 1, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announced March 20.

Ethics Panel Issues Opinion on Ward, KHRC

An ethics panel has said that Donna Ward can continue to train horses in Kentucky but not race them at tracks in the state once her husband, John Ward, becomes executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission

Good News in Kentucky on Racing Safety

When the equine medical director for Kentucky gave her monthly report at the March 14 meeting, it showed only one fatality since Dec. 1 at Turfway Park, the only track in the state conducting live racing during the period.

Veitch Seeks Reinstatement as KY Steward

John Veitch, the Hall of Fame trainer who was fired from his position as chief racing steward in Kentucky, has filed legal documents seeking to be reinstated and to have a one-year suspension imposed on him lifted.

New Duties Await Veteran Trainer John Ward

After 40 years as a trainer, John Ward is in the final days of overseeing his stable of horses at Gulfstream Park as he prepares to assume his new duties as executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission April 1.

ADW Providers Defend Business Practices

Representatives of eight advance deposit wagering companies seeking licenses to do business in Kentucky appeared before a racing commission subcommittee Feb. 29 to answer questions about their applications.

Trainer Ward to Head KY Racing Commission

Trainer John T. Ward, who conditioned Monarchos to an upset victory in the 2001 Kentucky Derby (gr. I), has been appointed executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Veitch to Appeal One-Year Kentucky Suspension

An attorney for former Kentucky chief steward John Veitch said his client will appeal the Feb. 15 action by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in which it suspended Veitch for one year.

Instant Racing Expands as Popularity Grows

With wagering on Instant Racing growing each month, Kentucky Downs racetrack has received approval to add 75 more electronic games to the 200 that have been in use since Sept. 1.

Kentucky Commission Upholds Veitch Suspension

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted unanimously Feb. 15 to suspend fired chief state steward John Veitch for one year in connection with his actions surrounding the Life At Ten case.

Churchill Increases Kentucky Downs' Interest

Churchill Downs Inc. has agreed to purchase an additional interest in Kentucky Downs, the track in Franklin, Ky., that has seen a rise in business since the introduction of Instant Racing in late 2011.

Kentucky Panel Approves New Medication Rules

An advisory panel to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has given final approval to regulatory changes that include permitting an owner to void the claim of a horse that tested positive.

Instant Racing: $19M in Bets in Three Months

Instant Racing at Kentucky Downs produced more than $19.52 million in wagers in its first three months of operation, according to figures from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Hearing Officer Rules Against Veitch

A hearing officer has concluded that former Kentucky chief steward John Veitch violated five rules of racing in his handling of the Life At Ten incident during the 2010 Breeders' Cup World Championships.

KY Meeting Shows Deep Divide Over Salix Use

If testimony taken Nov. 14 in Kentucky, a major breeding and racing state, is any indication, the battle over use of furosemide on race day doesn't figure to end any time soon.

Race-Day Drugs Focus of Kentucky Meeting

A Kentucky Horse Racing Commission committee will hold what could be a six- to seven-hour meeting on race-day medication Nov. 14 in Frankfort, the state capital.

Revised KY Breeders' Fund Rules Take Effect

Changes to regulations governing the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund, including a greatly reduced late fee, took effect Nov. 4, state officials said.

Kentucky Purse Regulation Will Be Reviewed

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will review a regulation that permits tracks to withhold all purses from a day of racing when there is a suspicious post-race test for any horse racing that day.

Underwood to Step Down from KHRC Post

Lisa Underwood said Oct. 24 she will step down as executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to take a job with Wyatt, Tarrant, and Combs, a law firm for which she had worked previously.

Sources: Sale of Share in Turfway Pending

Keeneland is poised to sell all or part of its 50% interest in Turfway Park to Caesars Entertainment and perhaps a partner of the gaming company, sources said.

Kentucky Group Again Targets Instant Racing

The Family Foundation of Kentucky continued its efforts to halt Instant Racing at Kentucky Downs Sept. 21 when it asked state Attorney General Jack Conway to classify the games as illegal slot machines.

Scapegoat - By Lenny Shulman

Why then does the KHRC continue to pursue Veitch, who played a minor part in this comedy of errors?

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KY Downs to Launch Instant Racing Sept. 1

Kentucky Downs will inaugurate Instant Racing in Kentucky Sept. 1 and believes the form of pari-mutuel wagering can help restore "vibrancy" to the state's horse racing industry.

KY Downs' Instant Racing to be First Class

The president of Kentucky Downs said the track is nearing completion of work needed to implement a form of Instant Racing and that it will be a "first class" operation and that the opening date will be announced soon.

KY Drug Testing Changes Showing Benefits

Decisions by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to have its drug testing performed by new laboratory and to revamp the manner in which it conducted its drug testing are having positive results.

Quarter Horse Meet in KY Canceled

Citing a lack of horses, The Red Mile harness track in Lexington received approval July 14 to cancel the two-day Quarter Horse racing scheduled for July 22-23.

Johnsen: Instant Racing to Boost Industry

The president of Kentucky Downs says action by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission July 14 approving a new form of exotic wagering that uses electronic machines will provide an economic and morale boost to the industry.

Jamgotchian Files Suit Over KY Claiming Rule

Prominent horse owner Jerry Jamgotchian followed up on his threat and has sued the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission over the regulatory body's rules regarding claiming horses.

KY Commission Set to OK First Instant Racing

The staff of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is recommending that the regulatory body on July 14 grant approval to Kentucky Downs to become the first track in the state to implement Instant Racing.

5 Kentucky Racing Commissioners Reappointed

Five members of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission have been reappointed by Gov. Steve Beshear to terms ending July 1, 2014.

KY Downs Preparing Instant Racing Application

It appears Kentucky Downs will be the first racetrack in the state to apply to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for an Instant Racing license.

Veitch: Some Friction Among KHRC Staff

Possible friction among KHRC staff was part of testimony June 30 on the third and final day of a hearing to examine whether state chief steward John Veitch violated racing regulations.

KY Tracks Wait-and-See on Instant Racing

Regulations governing Instant Racing in Kentucky apparently will be on the books July 1, but there won't be a rush by racetracks to move forward on implementing the games.

KY Approves Licensing of ADW, Tote Companies

The top horse racing regulatory agency in Kentucky has approved regulations governing the licensing of advance deposit wagering providers and totalizator companies.

KHRC Rejects Request From Dutrow's Attorney

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on June 8 unanimously rejected a request from trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. to withdraw his application for a license to race in the state in 2011.

KTDF Revenue Decline of Concern to Panel

Members of an advisory committee that oversees the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund expressed concern June 8 over diminishing revenue for the program as well as one racetrack's suspension of full-card simulcasts.

Kentucky Claiming Rule to Be Challenged

Kentucky regulators do not plan to rescind or waive a rule regarding when claimed horses can run in out-of-state races, despite the threat of a lawsuit from prominent owner Jerry Jamgotchian.

KY Drug Council Involved in Race-Day Issue

The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council, citing its statutory mission, will be involved in the debate over race-day medication, officials said May 25.