Though it is only in the discussion stages, there is a strong likelihood that all horses racing at Oaklawn Park, located in Hot Springs, Ark., in 2013 will undergo a pre-race examination.

During a recent meeting, the Arkansas State Racing Commission (ASRC) discussed adding another state veterinarian during Oaklawn race meets so that every horse could be examined on race day. Though all horses are looked at in the paddock and on their way to the gate by the state vet and Oaklawn Park’s veterinarian before each race, only horses deemed more at-risk based on their past performances receive additional race-day veterinary attention, according to Ron Oliver, executive director of the ASRC.

Oliver said that during the 2012 Oaklawn meet, the state contracted with one more veterinarian to assist with the mandatory pre-race drug testing in graded stakes.

"It appears we are moving toward pre-race exams of each horse, which we have not done in the past," said Oliver, who noted any such changes in veterinary procedures would require statutory changes in state racing rules and regulations