Members of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) staff outlined changes Dec. 12 that have been put in place to prevent future mistakes in the administration of race-day Salix at the state’s tracks.

Since the KHRC took over the administration of Salix (furosemide, previously marketed as Lasix) from private trainers–a policy in line with Association of Racing Commissioners International model rules–some mistakes have occurred. They have resulted in horses receiving the diuretic that were not supposed to, and others who were not given Salix that were supposed to receive it.

Salix can be administered on race day and is designed to reduce or eliminate the effects of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). Last year model rules called for Salix to be administered by regulatory veterinarians, or their representatives, instead of private vets. Rules also called for the elimination of medications not proven to address EIPH, also known as adjunct bleeder medications.

Mistakes occurred since the new Salix administration policy went in place at the Keeneland Race Course meeting in October, including at least two errors that resulted in scratches at the Churchill Downs fall meet. The KHRC formed a two-man committee of commission members Frank Jones Jr. and Frank Kling Jr., who met with KHRC deputy executive director Marc Guilfoil and equine medical director Mary Scollay, DVM, to put new policies in place