An advisory panel to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) has given final approval to changes in disciplinary measures and penalties for medication violations that include permitting an owner to void the claim of a horse that tested positive in the race out of which it was claimed.

The Jan. 18 action by the Equine Drug Research Council (EDRC) came during a two-hour meeting. It was punctuated by a discussion of whether the KHRC, which must now consider the recommended regulations, wants to take action that might be perceived as being tougher than other jurisdictions while the state is competing for horses and owners.

The regulation proposed by the EDRC would allow the new owner to void the claim of a horse that tested positive for Class A, B, or C substances in the race out of which it was claimed.

The connections of the horse testing positive when it was claimed would face the usual penalties but would also be responsible for the expenses paid by the new owner–including transportation, board, training, and testing–from the time of the race until the positive test was confirmed and the owner elected to return the horse