A Kentucky state veterinarian accidentally administered furosemide to a racehorse at Keeneland Race Course on Oct. 5, the first day a new state rule was enacted that requires the anti-bleeding medication to be administered by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) vets.

The horse, 3-year-old Exothermic, had been entered to race without the drug commonly known as Salix or Lasix, but was administered the diuretic due to a transcription mistake made by a state veterinarian. Racing for Richard Masson’s Green Lantern Stables, he finished second in the seventh race of the day for trainer Rusty Arnold.

"He ran very, very well, and I think he would have run very, very well either way," said Arnold, who was bringing the previously unbeaten colt back off an eight-month layup. "It was an innocent mistake that they made; they’re trying to do something that’s good. We’re sorry it happened to this horse. Were we a little upset by it? Yes, but we’re not against their program at all."

Exothermic, a homebred by Empire Maker out of the Caesour mare Iridescence, was previously unbeaten in two starts. Masson opposes the use of the drug, but decided to run the horse rather than scratch