Proposed Ky. ban on race-day drug resurfaces
May 16, 2012LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - The panel that regulates horse racing in Kentucky is set to take another look at a proposal that would put the state at the forefront of a race-day drug ban.
The Equine Drug Research Council, an advisory group to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, was discussing the controversial proposal at its meeting in Lexington on Wednesday. Later in the day, the commission is expected to consider the proposal, but no vote is expected.
The proposal would phase out race-day use of furosemide (fur-OH'-sih-myd) in graded or listed stakes races in Kentucky, including the Kentucky Derby. A more sweeping ban failed on a 7-7 vote at a commission meeting last month. Furosemide is the only medication allowed to be given to horses on race day in the United States.