Regulation Allowing Lasix-Free Races ‘Deficient’

The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee has called a regulation that would allow Kentucky racetracks to card Lasix-free races ‘deficient,’ according to a release from the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. Citing safety and health concerns for both horses and humans, Representative Denny Butler called for the vote, and the non-partisan committee voted 6-2 that the regulation is deficient.

“We sincerely appreciate the efforts of the ARRS committee,” commented Rick Hiles, president of the Kentucky HBPA. “We provided a tremendous amount of information regarding horsemen’s concerns with the regulation. They listened and asked relevant questions of both the KHRC (Kentucky Horse Racing Commission) and the Kentucky and national HBPA.”

This past March, the KHRC by a vote of 8-4 approved a regulation that would have allowed the state’s racetracks to card races that would prohibit Lasix. Rogers Beasley, director of racing at Keeneland, said at the time that the track would seek to conduct such races during its 2016 spring and fall meetings.

However, Mary Lou Marzian, co-chair of the ARRS, suggested to KHRC representatives appearing before the commission that the regulation be deferred pending a decision by the Attorney General of Kentucky as to the constitutionality of the regulation. The KHRC opposed that suggestion and the ARRS voted the regulation deficient.

“On behalf of the National HBPA, it is gratifying that the ARRS committee recognized from its bipartisan vote the constitutional infirmities with this regulation,” said Pete Ecabert, general counsel of the National HBPA. “Along with the heath and welfare issues for both jockeys and equine athletes that were at risk with this regulation. The committee’s recognition of the serious problems with this regulation is important not only to the Kentucky horsemen, but horsemen across the country in their efforts to arrive at a uniform of medication policy.”

KHRC Chairman Bob Beck met with Rick Hiles, Frank Jones and Marty Maline of the KHBPA along with Pete Ecabert and National HBPA President Eric Hamelback in an attempt to arrive at a compromise, but no consensus was reached.