During a town hall meeting on a proposal to phase out use of furosemide on race day in listed and graded stakes in Kentucky, proponents of the therapeutic anti-bleeding medication made their case. But in the end, it may not matter.

Roughly 15 individuals commented on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) proposal, with only one in support. Still, the meeting, held June 5 at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort, gave the appearance the phase-out of furosemide, also called Salix or Lasix, is a given in the state.

The KHRC in May opted not to vote on the plan to phase out use of Salix in listed and graded stakes over a three-year period, but the commission indicated there would be a vote, perhaps at its June meeting. That came after the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council (KEDRC), on a 4-3 vote, recommended continued use of Salix on race day.

An earlier KHRC vote on the ban was 7-7 with one seat not filled. Soon after Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear appointed breeder John Phillips, who supports the Salix phase-out, to fill the vacant seat