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Furosemide 'Myths' Discussed at Convention

Panelists gathered for a Jan. 14 National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association forum said there is no scientific evidence supporting a ban on the use of furosemide on race day.

What's Going On Here - National Focus Needed

Concept isn't new...but worth revisiting...

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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 Medication Pros and Cons Debated

The pros and cons of race-day medication in racehorses were debated Nov. 14 during a lengthy meeting of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Race Day Medication Committee at the state Capitol.

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.

Strawbridge Urges Strong Medication Reform

Prominent George Strawbridge Jr. said the U.S. needs more strict enforcement and tougher penalties for medication use in racehorses.

'Medication-Free' Horse Racing Called Goal

The Jockey Club has reiterated its calls for a phased-in ban on the anti-bleeding medication Salix but made clear Aug. 14 it wants "medication-free" horse racing.

No Salix in Graded Stakes for 2YOs in 2012

The American Graded Stakes Committee said Aug. 10 it will employ a pilot program that will ban race-day medications -- primarily the anti-bleeding drug Salix -- in graded 2-year-old stakes in 2012.

RMTC: Tighten Salix Rules, Ban Adjunct Drugs

An industry consortium supports administration of Salix by regulatory veterinarians only and a ban on adjunct bleeder drugs, but will continue to study a pilot program proposal to ban the use of race-day Salix in 2-year-olds.

National HBPA: Keep Salix, Drop Adjunct Drugs

The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association said July 24 it supports elimination of race-day medication use with the exception of the anti-bleeding drug Salix.

Florida Salix Plan Called 'Terrible Mistake'

Gulfstream Park has not set a timetable for possible future contact with Florida racing regulators on chairman Frank Stronach's goal of phasing out use of legal race-day medications such as the anti-bleeding drug Salix.

Regulators to Discuss Race-Day Medication

An Association of Racing Commissioners International committee will meet July 26 to hear opinions and testimony on use of race-day medication in racehorses.

Groups React to Breeders' Cup Drug Phase-Out

Industry organizations that have weighed in so far are for the most part supportive of the plan by Breeders' Cup to phase out race-day medication use in the World Championships beginning in 2012.

Breeders' Cup Begins Drug Phase-Out in 2012

Breeders' Cup said it will prohibit use of race-day medication in World Championships races for 2-year-olds in 2012 and all events in 2013.

Summit Digs Into Salix Use, Regulation

A well-attended summit June 13 at Belmont Park shed a lot of light on the research and international regulations surrounding the race-day medication Salix.

Education Early Focus of Medication Summit

Education was the primary mission of the June 13 International Summit on Race Day Medication, EIPH and the Racehorse held at Belmont Park in New York.

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.

Drug Summit Set for June 13-14 in New York

The first 'International Summit on Race Day Medication, EIPH and the Racehorse' has been scheduled for June 13-14 in New York City.

AAEP Urges Caution on Federal Drug Bill

The American Association of Equine Practitioners has expressed concern with "very broad language" in federal legislation geared toward use of performance-enhancing drugs in racehorses.

Feds May Step In on Race-Day Drug Use

A proposed federal bill would create a three-strikes-you're-out penalty system for anyone found guilty of racing a horse under the influence of a performance-enhancing drug.

Officials Confirm International Drug Summit

As expected the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium board of directors said April 20 it will join the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and American Association of Equine Practitioners in organizing a drug summit.

Keeneland: Use 'Pragmatic Approach' on Drugs

Keeneland said April 20 it supports "a pragmatic approach" in efforts that could lead to racing being conducted medication-free.

International Drug Summit Said to Be Planned

Industry organizations including the National Thoroughbred Racing Association will propose an international summit on equine medication this year in the wake of calls for the race-day ban of anti-bleeding drugs.

Horsemen: Put Brakes on Race-Day Salix Ban

The largest horsemen's groups in the country said they don't support a call by the Association of Racing Commissioners International for a five-year phase-out of race-day anti-bleeding medications.

TOBA Latest Group to Support Medication Ban

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association said April 14 it supports the recent proposal by the Association of Racing Commissioners International to develop a plan to eliminate the use of race-day medication.

Sources: Waterman Leaving Post at RMTC

Dr. Scot Waterman, executive director of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium for almost 10 years, is leaving the post at the end of April, according to multiple industry sources.

KTA Supports, NTRA Discusses, Drug Phase-Out

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, which operate as one entity, issued a statement April 12 saying it supports a call by RCI to phase out race-day medication.

Legislation Requires Pre-Race Testing of All Horses

A Kentucky legislator is calling for even stricter equine drug-testing measures that call for pre-race testing of all horses within one hour of post time.

KHRA Seeks Legislative Guidance on Fine Powers

A debate over whether the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority has the power to fine violators of the state's new equine medication regulations has led the authority to seek clarification from the state legislature.

New York Alters Race-Day Medication Regulations

New York regulators have altered the state's equine medication rules to bring them more in compliance with other states, but they have refused to join states that permit administration of more race-day drugs.

Legislative Subcommittee OKs Kentucky Drug Rules

Kentucky's new medication rules were approved Dec. 13 by the state General Assembly Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee.

Turfway Keeps Box Open Given Light Entries

Turfway Park, which opens Wednesday night and has been light on entries thus far because of a reluctance by some trainers to enter horses because of changes in race-day medication regulations, is keeping the entry box for Thursday night's program open through Wednesday morning.

Drug-Rule Changes Said to Impact Turfway Entry Box

More than 3 1/2 inches of rain had absolutely no impact on the new Polytrack at Turfway Park, which opens the evening of Sept. 7, but the impending change in race-day medication regulations for Thoroughbred racing in Kentucky is said to have put a dent in the opening-night entry box.

Split Ruling Issued on Kentucky Medication Injunction

A judge has denied a request by the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association for a temporary injunction to delay implementation of a new equine medication policy in Kentucky, but he made an exception for veterinarians.

Change in Kentucky Drug Rules Could Trigger Lawsuit

The Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association could file a lawsuit to prevent implementation of a new race-day medication policy in the state.

Fletcher Signs Emergency Drug Rules In Kentucky

Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher signed emergency regulations Aug. 19 that will limit race-day equine medication on race day effective Sept. 7. The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority approved the regulations only four days earlier.

Kentucky Drug Policy Tweaked; Dialogue to Continue

The Thoroughbred medication policy approved by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority Aug. 15 was previously modified to allow for up to two adjunct bleeder medications instead of one on race day.

Kentucky HBPA Takes Medication Plea to Governor

The Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has asked Gov. Ernie Fletcher to authorize a "full review" before any changes are made to the state's equine race-day medication policy.

Kentucky Panel: Adopt Model Medication Rules

The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council set in motion major changes in the state's medication and drug-testing policies when it voted Feb. 4 to recommend adoption of the model rules devised by the national Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.

Drug Consortium Moves on Violations, 'Milkshakes'

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium has set a deadline for adoption of recommended uniform medication violations and testing protocol for "milkshakes," which are mixtures of bicarbonate of soda and a liquid force-fed to a racehorse before it competes.

Ohio OKs Model Rules, Taps Purses for Tests

The Ohio State Racing Commission tightened its medication rules Jan. 20 to greatly reflect the model rules offered by the national Racing Medication and Testing Consortium. In another change, money will be deducted from each purse to defray all or part of the cost to test blood and urine samples.

Mid-Atlantic Regulators Endorse Medication Policy

Regulators in the Mid-Atlantic region, who have been working together for years on uniform medication rules, agreed Jan. 20 to endorse the model medication and drug testing policy devised by the national Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.

National HBPA Seeks Answers on Drug Uniformity

The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association medication committee, in response to concerns from affiliates in Kentucky and Ohio, has asked its affiliates to make known their position on the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium's proposal for uniform medication and drug testing.

Regulators View Drug Policy; No Race-Day Changes Yet

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium continued its march toward a national model policy on medication and drug testing Dec. 10 when regulators responded favorably to the proposal. But wholesale changes in race-day medication rules around the country aren't expected to take place any time soon.

Drug Policy: Room for More--With Scientific Evidence

Regulators in the United States will get their first look at a proposed national medication and drug-testing policy Dec. 10, but even if it wins widespread support, it could take some time before any changes are enacted in various jurisdictions.

Salix-Only Policy on Race Day Advocated for Kentucky

The chairman of the Kentucky Racing Commission has advocated a Salix-only policy on race day in the state, and said he would schedule meetings around the state to get feedback. Currently, five medications are permitted on race day in Kentucky.

Kentucky Race-Day Drug Policy Officially Revised

With no opposition in sight, the Kentucky Racing Commission on Sept. 24 officially revised its Thoroughbred race-day medication policy to reduce the number of permitted substances from 16 to five.