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RMTC Sees Positive Trends in Bute Study

RMTC Executive Director Dr. Dionne Benson believes data clearly demonstrates the two microgram limit is a workable threshold for horsemen.

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.

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.

Purse Bonus for Field Size Gets Illinois OK

The Illinois Racing Board agreed July 26 to require race tracks to include "field size bonus" money in the base purse amount used to calculate owners' and breeders' awards.

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.

NY Horsemen Present Medication Reform Policy

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association April 13 announced a plan to reform medication policies in Thoroughbred racing that it believes addresses many of the issues that have brought criticism to the sport.

WV Moves to Ban Adjunct Drugs, Hike Penalties

The West Virginia Racing Commission voted April 13 to ban the use of adjunct bleeder medications on race day and to adopt much stricter penalties for drug violations.

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.

Adjunct Bleeder Medication Ban Advanced in KY

An advisory panel to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has approved a recommendation to prohibit the race-day use of adjunct bleeder medications in the state.

CHRB OKs Lower Bute Level, Claiming Rule

A reduction in the allowable level of the common pain reliever phenylbutazone in post-race tests was approved on a split vote by the California Horse Racing Board July 21 over the objections of horsemen.

CHRB Eyes Lower Phenylbutazone Threshold

Lower thresholds for the pain reliever phenylbutazone, commonly known as Bute, in post-race tests of horses could be on the way in California in spite of objections from horsemen.

KY Drug Council Targets Corticosteroids

The Kentucky Drug Equine Research Council, citing a need to explore use of corticosteroids in racehorses, agreed Feb. 9 to take bids for research into one of the drugs in the research planning phase.

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.

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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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.

RMTC Acts to Reduce Potential Impact of Bute

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium has lowered the testing threshold level for phenylbutazone, a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, but has kept the administration time at 24 hours prior to a race.

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.

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.

Unreported Medications Found in Sale Horses

Tests conducted on juveniles that participated in under-tack shows prior to the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March select auction did not detect any performance enhancing-drugs, but therapeutic medications were found in blood samples from three horses whose consignors had not reported the treatments, said Tom Ventura, general manager and director of sales for OBS.

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.