Kentucky, Churchill See Results on Safety Initiatives

A year after equine fatalities dominated headlines weeks before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Kentucky racing regulators and Churchill Downs Inc. officials are pleased with the initial results of recently implemented safety changes.

In February, Churchill Downs, along with Keeneland, announced a variety of safety measures including pre-entry examinations by attending veterinarians within three days of entry; pre-work examinations by attending veterinarians within five days preceding a timed workout; and required examinations for horses away for extended periods. 

"I've gotten comments from both trainers and private practicing veterinarians that have been pleased with the changes," said Will Farmer, equine medical director for Churchill Downs Inc. "… I think everybody has welcomed it and embraced it."

Those changes took effect with the delayed May start of Churchill's spring meet after Keeneland's spring meet was canceled, both because of COVID-19.

Churchill's spring meeting saw one racing fatality and no training fatalities, according to a Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterinary report. That compares favorably with a 2019 spring meeting that saw three racing fatalities and three training fatalities and a 2018 meet that saw six equine deaths during racing and six in training. Those 2018 numbers generated some negative attention for Churchill before the 2019 Derby. That spring Santa Anita Park in California was shut down for a time because of a rash of breakdowns there.

Changes would be put in place at Kentucky tracks as well as by Kentucky regulators. New safety protocols have produced "good results" so far, said Bruce Howard, equine medical director for the KHRC.

Farmer said it's a "synergy" of all involved. "It's definitely a combined effort. There's not (just) one thing."

Howard credited the additional exams occurring earlier than race day, which are in addition to the KHRC's race-day exams, as a major factor. 

"The biggest thing is that we have to be able to see the horses—their true state of soundness and not be covered up by any medication," Howard said.

Farmer said an added benefit to the earlier exams is that private practicing veterinarians play a role.

"They're seeing the horses serially as they're working, preparing for a race," so any issues can be identified and addressed sooner, Farmer said.

Some changes made by the tracks are included in changes adopted by the KHRC and launched in August. Beyond changes by the tracks, the KHRC rules also pushed back withdrawal guidelines for the administration of corticosteroids from seven to 14 days pre-race and on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from 24 to 48 hours. Howard said the medication changes for corticosteroids and NSAIDs are too new to credit for the results so far, but he does expect them to improve safety as well.

"I really think it's going to have a positive impact on us being able to evaluate the horses," he said.

Race-day Laisx (furosemide) also had been banned by the tracks in races for 2-year-olds as a house rule and last month the updated KHRC rules included this policy, making it the regulatory standard. The rule will extend to stakes races next year, meaning this is the last Derby where entrants can be treated with the diuretic used to prevent or reduce the severity of racing-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Both Howard and Farmer said they view furosemide as a racing issue rather than a safety issue.

Additionally, this will be the first Derby since a new equine medical center opened at the track as part of a stable area expansion. It can serve as a triage facility for practicing veterinarians. While not a full-service veterinary clinic, Farmer said it provides space where horses can be treated for conditions such as colic where a barn stall isn't as conducive to administering a fluid bag. Farmer said they're still learning how the facility can be best used.

"It's a good place to do diagnostics," Howard said. Safety "is our No. 1 priority," Howard added, noting that a team of a dozen or more veterinarians, six of whom are on the commission's full-time staff, will be on the grounds for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Derby Days.

"It's what we do every year at Derby and pretty much what we do every day at the races" albeit on a smaller scale, Howard said.