Ky. Regulators Ban Doping For Race Horses

AP) Kentucky horse racing regulators on Monday approved a sweeping steroid ban for the state's thoroughbred and standardbred races but dramatically toned down the proposed penalties for trainers whose horses test positive.

With a unanimous vote of confidence from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the steroid ban could take effect as early as this fall's meet at Turfway Park and would be well under way in time for next year's Kentucky Derby. Gov. Steve Beshear has said he'll push it through swiftly using an emergency regulation.

While the ban is tough, it's not nearly as tough as the one proposed by Kentucky's Equine Drug Research Council earlier this month. That group had called for suspensions of up to three years for trainers and veterinarians whose horses fail a steroid test, but the authority revised the penalties, capping them at a 60-day suspension for first time offenders.

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Horse OK after fall through barn floor

Still sedated, Bailey the horse rests after her rescue yesterday. (JASON SCHREIBER)

By JASON SCHREIBER
Union Leader Correspondent

HAMPTON FALLS – In his 42 years with the fire department, Deputy Fire Chief Russ Davies had never experienced anything like yesterday's rescue of a 1,000-pound horse that had fallen through a barn floor.
It was also a first for Fire Chief Jay Lord, a 20-year veteran of the department.

"We hope we never have to do that again," said Lord, who appeared exasperated after having helped more than a dozen firefighters and neighbors pull the horse, named Bailey, to safety in a harrowing hour-long rescue.

Firefighters considered bringing in a wrecker to haul her out, but they managed to do it on their own.

The trouble began about 2 p.m. at Cock Hill Farm, 149 Drinkwater Road, when Bailey walked into the barn and into a sheep stall that was supposed to be off limits. Farm owner Ed Beattie said he knew the wood floor of the stall couldn't handle the weight of the horse, but he had forgotten to shut the stall door.

Beattie was in the barn and saw Bailey head into the sheep stall....

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