Kentucky panel approves rule to void claim if horse test positive

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Racehorse owners will be able to void the claim of a horse in Kentucky if the horse subsequently tests positive for an illegal drug under a rule that was approved by an advisory committee to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Wednesday.

The rule was approved by the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council, the commission’s advisory committee for drug policies. The full racing commission, which is next scheduled to meet on Feb. 15, typically approves rules that the council recommends.

The rule, which has been discussed by Kentucky regulators for more than a year, would hold the claimed horse’s previous connections liable for all expenses paid by the new owner between the time of the claim and the time a positive drug test was confirmed. Under the rule, owners can check a box asking for a horse to be tested after the race when they submit the claim.

The new owner would be eligible to void the claim if the horse tests positive for any medication in Class A, B, or C, categories that include commonly used therapeutic medications.