The largest horsemen's group in the country continues to call for the racing industry to perform thorough research before it continues with its plan to lower the testing threshold for phenylbutazone, a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that relieves pain.

The Association of Racing Commissioners International Model Rules Committee approved the lower threshold Sept. 17. The RCI board of directors, which meets in early October, must now approve the change.

The proposal would lower the testing threshold from five micrograms per milliliter of plasma or serum to two. Administration of the drug isn't permitted within 24 hours of a race.

Recommendations to make the change came from the RCI Regulatory Veterinarians Committee, RCI Drug Testing Standards and Practices Committee, Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Safety Committee, Jockeys' Guild, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and American Association of Equine Practitioners