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Regulation To Safeguard Horses Hits Snag In Ky.

FRANKFORT, Ky.  -- A proposed regulation that would allow only government veterinarians to administer race-day drugs to horses has hit a snag in Kentucky.

Lawmakers refused to give their OK on Monday, citing a disagreement among the thoroughbred industry over the controversial proposal.

The Interim Joint Committee on Licensing and Occupations voted 19-1 on Monday to find the proposed regulation deficient, which leaves its fate uncertain.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission had previously approved the regulation that also would set lower limits on the amount of the anti-inflammatory drug phenylbutazone that could be given to horses within days before they race.

Lawmakers will soon consider an even more controversial regulation that would institute a race-day ban on the anti-bleeding drug furosemide in some of the state's biggest races, including the Kentucky Derby.