Ky. weighs Lasix-only policy

The Kentucky Racing Commission plans to schedule hearings on whether the state should adopt a Lasix-only policy for raceday medication, according to the commission's chairman, Frank Shoop.

Shoop discussed the plan at a racing commission meeting on Thursday, according to reports. The Lasix-only policy would be a significant rollback from Kentucky's current permissive medication policies but in line with an expected recommendation from a national drug task force seeking uniform medication rules.

Shoop could not be reached for comment on Friday. According to reports, a schedule will be set for the hearings next week.

The plan is expected to face opposition from the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which supports liberal medication rules.

Kentucky currently allows five medications on race day, from a possible list of 11. The medication rules were most recently amended in 2002, when the list of legal medications was pared from 16.

The national drug task force plans to distribute its model-rules policy to racing commissioners in December. Commissioners will be asked to review the rules and approve them starting in 2004.