EDRC Approves Lab Switch For Kentucky Post-Race Testing

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.

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KHRC: Derby Day Samples Cleared, But One ‘Class C’ Positive Found In Oaks Day Sample

Post-race testing from the delayed Kentucky Oaks and Derby days at Churchill Downs (held on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5, respectively) has been completed, according to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. A statement released by the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet indicated that all samples from Derby day were cleared. However, the KHRC will be investigating a Class C medication which was found in one sample from Oaks day.

No specifics were given about the name of the horse, owner, or trainer involved in the positive, but a KHRC spokesperson told the Thoroughbred Daily News that results are expected in November. 

“The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's official laboratory, Industrial Laboratories (Wheat Ridge, CO), has returned all post-race sample results from both the Kentucky Derby day and Kentucky Oaks day races,” the statement read. “The Derby day samples were 'cleared,' showing no irregularities. The Oaks day samples returned a finding for a class C medication in one (1) primary sample. The KHRC is following its regulatory process in conducting a follow-up investigation of this matter. Accordingly, the names involved will be released at the completion.”

Examples of Class C medications can be found here on the KHRC website.

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