The Equine Drug Research Council, a committee of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, unanimously voted to approve a switch from Industrial Laboratories to a new facility at the University of Kentucky for the state's pre- and post-race drug testing. The UK Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab is overseen by Dr. Scott Stanley, formerly the director of the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab at University of California-Davis.
At a regularly scheduled meeting of the committee last week, Stanley reported that the lab has invested $2.5 million in new equipment in the last year or so, and is involved in construction on a new facility. Currently, the lab manages testing for the United States Equestrian Federation. Stanley said the lab has spent the past year and a half validating testing methods.
The UK lab has interim accreditation from the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC). Stanley said it was not yet fully RMTC accredited only because of delays in the accreditation process last year due to COVID-19. The group was “severely delayed” in its ability to send the UK lab proficiency samples for testing.
“We are one of the best equipped laboratories in the country and our target is to be one of the best equipped labs in the world,” said Stanley. “That'll take a little time to make sure we build up an an appropriate rate, but I know we have the best technology of any laboratory out there right now.”
The KHRC staff supported the move and the committee approved the switch unanimously. Stanley anticipated that once the main commission approves, the lab could take over testing as soon as the beginning of the Ellis Park meet on June 27.
Also at the meeting last week, the committee voted to approve financing of a new position to help the KHRC with new veterinary examination requirements. Horses now must have an authorization from their regular veterinarian before each race and workout stating they are fit to compete. When horses are entered in races, horsemen or veterinarians now must also submit the previous 14 days of medical records.
While compiling these records has previously fallen to KHRC staff, equine medical director Dr. Bruce Howard said staff members are already overloaded with their existing jobs and it's time to shift these tasks into a new position. One committee member questioned why the EDRC should fund the position and was assured that there was an unwillingness to go through state government to try to get approval for additional personnel costs right now.
The post EDRC Approves Lab Switch For Kentucky Post-Race Testing appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
