11/14/2012 2:34PM

Churchill Downs: Veterinarian's Lasix error results in another scratch

By Marty McGee
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Yet another Lasix snafu occurred on the Kentucky racing circuit Wednesday at when Outofsiteoutofmind had to be scratched from the fourth race at Churchill Downs after being given two injections at the receiving barn, apparently by the same veterinarian employed by the Kentucky state veterinarian’s office.

Churchill steward Butch Becraft confirmed that the error occurred Wednesday morning, necessitating the scratch. He said Wednesday afternoon that the incident was still under investigation and that the name of the veterinarian was being withheld pending its conclusion.

This is at least the fourth Lasix mix-up since Oct. 5, when the state veterinarian’s office began giving pre-race shots to all Kentucky starters. Private veterinarians had given Lasix treatments until the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission changed the law earlier this year.

Two known snafus occurred at the Keeneland meet, although neither affected horse had to be scratched. A scratch was necessitated Sunday at Churchill after a horse named Booby Prize was treated with Lasix injections by two different veterinarians prior to his scheduled start in an $8,000 claiming event.

Phil Sims, the trainer of Outofsiteoutofmind, said he was informed of the Wednesday mix-up prior to leaving his Lexington home for the races in Louisville. Sims said his son and assistant, Matt, was overseeing the horse in his stead at Churchill. Sims said he will not be able to recoup the expenses incurred with shipping in for the race, a $30,000 claiming event with a $22,500 purse.

ctgreyhound More than 1 year ago
Who's minding the store? Will the press report on it? Can we make a scandal out of this?
R. Carlos Nanez More than 1 year ago
What is wrong with the groom of the horse?, can he tell the vet that the horse has been given Lasix already?
radnor87 More than 1 year ago
It's hard to believe that this can happen. Wake up, vet and assistant.
Rocky More than 1 year ago
How about this. The vet gives the shot and staples a tag around the horses bridle with the date on the tad. At saddle -up the trainer or acting trainer removes the tag and keeps it in the horses records. Duh! Capt. Rocky
georget More than 1 year ago
This makes TOO much sense
Amy Hurley More than 1 year ago
It does sound like a good idea...but you're right, makes too much sense.
richard montgomery More than 1 year ago
Rocky, great idea man! But, when the government gets involved its all about mistakes and spending, that way the taxpayers can benefit.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Everyone is really quick to blame the vet. How bout the groom, assistant, or trainer? This stuff happens in poorly managed barns even with private vets. Stop blaming the new rules. At least the state vets not giving every drug known to man illegally.
Babette Cade More than 1 year ago
The state is supposed to be infallible, correcting all the human errors committed by the lower human life form.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
No. the rule was put in place to stop illegal race day meds or illegal lasix doses by private vets. Bound to be mistakes..but 4 is hardly a negative conclusion. More horses are scratched per month due to private vets giving lasix to wrong horses, and trainers get fined as well. Again in poorly monitored and poorly managed barns
Babette Cade More than 1 year ago
Again, the government will step in to take care of the errors committed by mere humans thereby insuring us against all errors at enormous cost. Continually mentioning poorly managed and monitored barns is correcting errors, no? As in, the state would never manage anything poorly. Also, I am positive that well managed barns make errors. Are they too poorly monitored? State oversight taking control. Not a good idea. And, the state is never fined.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Well managed barns do not make these errors. They coordinate with officials, vets, agents etc..and the assistant is always present during vet procedures. And this is not about gov vs. privitization. Its about an agenda for cleaner racing...
Robert Smith More than 1 year ago
I dont completely disagree with you but the state did take it upon themselves to administer the medication so just like the trainer responsiblity so goes the states responsibility. Rocky offered a good solution but i suspect there are more.
Dennis Geier More than 1 year ago
IN THIS CASE THE GROOM TOLD THE VET U ALREADY GAVE THE SHOT SHE GAVE ANOTHER ONE ANYWAY ALL U GOOFBALLS WHO KEEP TAKING UP FOR THE COMMISSION ARE A BUNCH OF MORONS IF IT WERE A TRAINER AND HIS VET AND THEY MADE A 'MISTAKE' YOU WOULD BE THE FIRST ONES CFALLING THEM CHEATERS AND NEED TO BE RULED OFF BUT SINCE ITS THIS STUPID COMMISSION AND INCOMPETENT PEOPLE FROM TOP DOWN ITS THE GROOMS FAULT THE TRAINERS FAULT OR LETS JUST CHANGE THIS RULE SINCE WE FD UP THE HBPA NEEDS TO GROW SOME INSTEAD OF BEING GELDINGS AND HELP THE HORSEMEN THIS HBPA IN KY IS VERY WEAK OR SCARED ' ' "
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
You need to examine who you are calling a moron. Both Robert and myself are very aware of commissions, hbpa, and how barns should be run. Where was the assistant and trainer? The groom prob said in broken english...No, he no need it. Rather than somebody with a brain in the stable. You dont leave a horse alone as a trainer or assistant on raceday..not even with the grooms. They take shots to ya know if ya dont watch. Its not their reps on the line. Get a clue. I support the new rule and understand this agenda. I suppose you support the cheats who give every adjunct med known to man and then give extra lasix to help secrete it.
Dennis Geier More than 1 year ago
ANOTHER MORON
Robert Smith More than 1 year ago
A MORON MIGHT NOT REALIZE THEY REPEATED SOMEONE ELSES POST!
philip sims More than 1 year ago
In response to Thomas Cook.. the groom was with this horse the entire time. The assistant trainer had left the barn after the first lasix injection to do business in the racing office and turn in silks to the Jockeys quarters. The same regulatory state vet. that gave the horse the first injection in turn gave a second lasix injection despite protest from the groom. The regulatory state vets are considered racing officials and should be hels accountable for their mistakes just like any private vet would in this case. I run a very professional stable and you are invited to come to my barn at Keeneland to see for your self that comments are out of line.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
With all due respect.. Mr Sims. I am not suggesting that you don't run a good stable or that you cheat. I know that you are a respected horseman. And I understand how state vets are racing officials who are governed by the same rules we are. It just seemed strange how the same vet did this. Secondly, I feel some of the replys here aren't aware of the dicey medication reforms being implemented to try to enhance racing's image. No disrespect intended. But as an assistant of 10 yrs to a graded stakes, and BC outfit, we don't leave horses on raceday..always a foreman or assistant present and watchman at night. I'm sure you understand why. Respectfully Thomas
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Also, before I retire for the day. My main annoyance is the bias of these articles. We don't see articles of vets in other jurisdictions when they make similiar errors. Only in Kentucky where this new rule has been implemented. So I fear these calculated prinings will have negative effects on a jurisdiction trying to clean up our industry and protect its future.
Rick Baldwin More than 1 year ago
It's time to ban all drugs for racing horses.