by Kimberly A. Rinker, for the Ohio State Racing Commission

Columbus, OH — Five veterinarians have been invited to speak at the Ohio State Racing Commission monthly meeting to discuss possible medication practices for Ohio horse racing. The meeting will be held on April 28, at 10 a.m., 19th floor of the Riffe Center, 77 South High St., Columbus.

These veterinarians will present their views regarding medication protocols for both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industries, and provide their insight into the Racing Commissioners International and Racing Medication and Testing Consortium controlled therapeutic medication proposals.

The veterinarians scheduled to attend include:

• Dr. John Reichert, partner/practitioner at the Woodland Run Equine Clinic in Grove City.
• Dr. Dan Wilson, partner/practitioner at the Cleveland Equine Clinic specializing in racetrack Standardbreds, equine anesthesia, and racing medications and testing.
• Dr. John Piehowicz, practitioner/owner at Cincinnati Equine, LLC, whose client list includes Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup winning conditioners.
• Dr. Brett Berthold, owner/practitioner at the Cleveland Equine Clinic whose area of focus includes lameness evaluation, respiratory health and MRI.
• Dr. Clara Fenger, a founding member of North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians and a practitioner in central Kentucky.

At the March OSRC meeting, the USTA’s Phil Langley and Mike Tanner, along with the HBPA’s Dave Basler and trainer William Cowans and the OHHA’s Renee Mancino and trainer Virgil Morgan Jr., offered their thoughts on medication and testing procedures. During February’s OSRC meeting Edward Martin, RCI President, and Dr. Dionne Benson, RMTC Executive Director, provided input into these same subjects.

The OSRC values input from all stakeholders within both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred Ohio racing communities and is moving forward into developing a sound medication policy.