Two national organizations said Aug. 28 they find it "troubling" factions in Kentucky horse racing are opposing medication regulations proposed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) but shot down by a state legislative committee Aug. 27. Meanwhile, the West Virginia Racing Commission (WVRC) has officially scheduled a meeting for Sept. 17 to take comments from industry representatives on the use of furosemide, also known as Salix or Lasix, on race day.

Kentucky
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) and The Jockey Club, both of which are pushing for medication reform in Thoroughbred racing, said they find it "disappointing that individual members of the Kentucky (Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association ) and racetrack veterinarians, fearful of any changes in the use of the race-day drug Lasix, are attempting to hold hostage new Kentucky racing rules designed to promote the health, welfare, and safety of the Thoroughbred racehorse."

The Kentucky Interim Joint Committee on Licensing and Occupations voted 19-1 to find the proposed drug rules "deficient." The rules call for a ban of adjunct bleeder medications on race day: regulatory administration of furosemide on race day; and a reduction in allowable level of phenylbutazone, commonly called Bute.

The regulations aren’t related to the proposed ban on race-day Salix in graded and listed stakes. That regulation, which would take effect Jan. 1, 2014, hasn’t made its way through the legislative approval process in Kentucky