Kentucky governor replaces two members of commission

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has replaced two members of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission whose terms had expired and reappointed three others to the 15-member body, according to the governor’s office.

The two members who were replaced were Foster Northrup, a racetrack veterinarian, and Alan Leavitt, a Standardbred owner and breeder. Those appointed by Beshear to fill their seats, effective immediately, are Steve Stewart, the owner of a Standardbred breeding farm near Paris, Ky., and Clayton Patrick, an attorney based in Frankfort.

Northrup served on several committees for the commission and was regarded as one of the most active and knowledgeable members of the regulatory body. He regularly voted with horsemen and veterinarians on medication issues.

When contacted on Monday, Northrup declined to comment on the governor’s decision.

Three other members of the commission – Allan Houston, Elizabeth Lavin, and Neil Howard – were reappointed to terms expiring in July 2018. Those three members regularly vote in favor of policies restricting medication use.

Beshear will step down early next year after serving two terms as Kentucky governor, the statutory limit. One of the candidates for governor is Jack Conway, the son of KHRC member Tom Conway, who is a horse owner.