During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Dec. 10, the Arkansas Racing Commission approved 16 rule changes originally proposed by Oaklawn Park and the Arkansas HBPA, reports the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Key provisions include the prohibition of Clenbuterol (and other beta2-agonists) within 60 days of a race, reduction in the maximum amount of Lasix without specific veterinary approval, and the mandatory use of safety whips in races.
The Clenbuterol regulations will be confirmed through hair testing, and will also provide for claimed horses to be tested for the bronchodilator, with the ability to void a claim if the claimed horse tests positive.
Lasix administration has been cut by 50 percent, to 250 milligrams, unless the official veterinarian approves a dose up to 500 milligrams. Since the Road to the Kentucky Derby and the Road to the Kentucky Oaks will not award points to horses racing on Lasix, the commission will prohibit the use of Lasix in any 3-year-old stakes race awarding points. These include: the Smarty Jones, Southwest (G3), Rebel (G2), Arkansas Derby (G1), Martha Washington, Honeybee (G3), and Fantasy (G3).
Additional rule changes include:
• The use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy, radial pulse wave therapy, or similar treatments will not be allowed within 30 days of a race. Also, shock wave equipment will not be allowed on Oaklawn's grounds at any time.
• Trainer and veterinarian records must be made available upon request for review by the pre-race exam veterinarians.
• The only riding crops allowed during races will be the 360 Gentle Touch (360 GT), Pro-Cush or other similar riding crops approved by the stewards.
• Horses will be required to be on the grounds at least 72 hours before races unless approved for late arrival. To facilitate this, entries will be scheduled at least four days prior to a race.
According to Byron Freeland, attorney for the commission, the rule changes won't go into effect until after review by the Legislative Council's Administrative Rules Subcommittee, which is scheduled to meet on Wednesday.
Read more at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
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