If Kentucky is going to join the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication Reform’s efforts to put uniform medication rules in place in each racing state, it’s likely going to take some work and time.

The state has begun initial consideration of the reforms through its Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council (KEDRC), which makes recommendations to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC). Several council members expressed concern about the Mid-Atlantic reforms.

While Kentucky already has some of the Mid-Atlantic measures in place—for instance, a Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC)-approved lab and third-party administration of Salix—a gulf exists on some of the specific therapeutic medication policies for the plan’s 24 recognized medications. The largest differences of opinion involve the recommended withdrawal time for clenbuterol, a potential change that is especially upsetting to Standardbred horsemen in Kentucky.

Also, veterinarians and horsemen in the state say more withdrawal times are needed than what currently is being offered for the 24 recognized therapeutic medications under the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication Reform