As the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Racing Integrity and Drug Testing Task Force prepared for its March 12 meeting, some racetrack veterinarians moved closer to forming their own organization.

Representatives from The Race Track Practitioners, a Lexington-based group, said that a proposed universal medication policy it floated last fall has widespread support among its constituency. The plan espouses use of Class 4 therapeutic medications, threshold testing for Class 2 and 3 drugs, and a ban on all Class 1, 2, and 3 medications within 48 hours of a race.

Dr. Arnold Pessin, a consultant who at one time practiced on the racetrack, said that of 650 surveys mailed, 300 were returned as of the week of March 4. Every one supported the proposal authored by The Race Track Practitioners, he said. Responses were received from vets in more than 20 states.

In December, when the American Association of Equine Practitioners held its Racehorse Medication Summit, some racetrack vets claimed their voices weren’t heard. In particular, Kentucky vets and horsemen insisted efforts were made to keep their views on medication–use of therapeutics on race day, for instance–out of the equation