Report: Kentucky drug-testing lab has suspension extended

The University of Kentucky lab that routinely performed drug tests on racehorses had its suspension extended another six months, according to a report Friday at Thoroughbred Daily News.

The equine analytical chemistry laboratory in Lexington will remain off the testing grid until November. That is based on the report written by TDN’s Dan Ross that said a 60-day suspension imposed in March was extended by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium at the request of lab executives.

Flashback: HISA explains 1st suspension of Kentucky lab.

RMTC executive director Michael Hardy was quoted by Ross as saying the lab wanted “additional time ... to achieve full compliance with the (RMTC) code of standards.”

“Concerns with the performance” of the lab were brought early this year by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, which enforces the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s medication rules. That, according to Ross, led to the first RMTC suspension.

Not many specifics have emerged from two investigations, one by HIWU and HISA and the other by the university, into the lab’s performance. Ross reported the university also started a “personnel investigation” of former lab director Dr. Scott Stanley, who was reassigned after resigning in March.

The Lexington facility was one of the six labs that had been used by HIWU for testing since HISA medication regulations went into effect a year ago.