KHRC Meeting: KTDF Funds, 2022 Final Figures, Rulings

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission met Feb. 21 to follow up on backside improvements, unused Incentive funds to be applied to this year's race meets, final veterinary figures from the Turfway Park holiday meet, and the conclusion of Thoroughbred rulings for 2022. An amendment to add a previously unclassified substance to the Class B list of prohibited substances also was discussed.

The drug Levamisole was put forward to be added to the list of Class B substances, an amendment to 810 KAR 8:020. Levamisole, an equine anthelmintic (or parasitic) and immune modulator, is used to help restore immune function and reportedly used in the off-label treatment of EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis). The drug has been recorded to metabolize into two substances in the horse, aminorex and pemoline, which are considered Class A substances on the medications list, thus prohibited in horse racing.

Applications for backside improvement funds came from Keeneland, requesting funds of $127,565 for stall hardware updates. Churchill Downs requested $127,490 for roof replacements/repairs, asphalt repairs, and heating and air conditioning units for various rooms on the backside.

Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund monies from the 2022 Kentucky Downs meet, in the amount of $1 million, will roll over to the Keeneland 2023 spring meet. Spring meet KTDF purse allotments were projected to be between $4.7 million and $4.9 million for the 15-day race meet, April 7-28, with all KTDF eligible horses awarded through last place.

Purse allotments for KTDF funds for the Churchill Downs spring meet were projected between $9.5 million to $10 million for the 44-day meet from April 29 through July 3. All horses KTDF eligible will be awarded through last place, helping to encourage participation.

The final report for KHRC Thoroughbred rulings in 2022 concluded with 140 rulings issued. To date, for 2023, there have been eight rulings issued.

The Turfway Park holiday meet ended the 2022 racing calendar year, running Nov. 30 through Dec. 31, with 1,547 horses starting, 342 post-race samples collected, 172 CO2 samples taken, and 26 veterinary scratches, with 18 of those being determined in pre-race exams during the morning. Eight were on-track scratches, with five related to soundness issues, and three related to gate or paddock incident or injury.

There were 45 horses placed on the veterinarian's list, and four horses exhibited bleeding or EIPH. There were 134 horses claimed, with 10 of those claims voided. Nine ambulance runs were made, one racing fatality and one training fatality, both musculoskeletal in nature.

Dr. Bruce Howard, equine medical director for the KHRC, was pleased to give credit to the team across Kentucky that has helped lower the incident numbers at all Kentucky tracks.

KHRC executive director Jamie Eads added: "Dr. Howard and his team are to be commended. We feel like we (Kentucky) do it right, and we have the best team, so thank you for all you do."