The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) requires that all horses racing at tracks in Kentucky have a physical examination by an attending Veterinarian, or member of their practice, prior to entering a horse for racing. Pre-Entry exams are mandatory to participate in Kentucky racing. Failure to comply could result in penalties under 810 KAR 8:030.
Veterinarians identified as an attending Veterinarian, or a member of their practice, are required to conduct examinations for purposes of determining a horse’s fitness to race, work, or train. See instructions below.
Thoroughbred Trainers: An attending Veterinarian, or a member of their practice, submits all Pre-Entry exams to the Jockey Club Electronic Treatment Record Database at https://khrcetrs.tjcis.com/signup/Default.asp or KHRC Entry exam email khrc.entryexam@ky.gov prior to entering a horse in a race.
Standardbred Trainers: An attending Veterinarian, or member of their practice, submits all Pre-Entry exams to the KHRC Entry Exam email khrc.entryexam@ky.gov prior to entering a horse in a race.
Trainers shall not enter a horse in any race in Kentucky unless the following requirements are met:
- An attending Veterinarian, or a member of their practice, must examine the horse during the three (3) days immediately preceding the entry to race for the express purpose of evaluating the horse’s fitness to race.
- The horse is found fit to race by an attending Veterinarian, or member of their practice. This evaluation shall include, at a minimum, watching the horse jog.
- Vets must submit exam results to the Jockey Club Electronic Treatment Record Database by logging in at https://khrcetrs.tjcis.com/signup/Default.asp or by KHRC email khrc.entryexam@ky.gov prior to entry.
- Thoroughbred Vets without access to the Jockey Club Electronic Treatment Database can go to the Jockey Club site and sign up for an account https://khrcetrs.tjcis.com/signup/Default.asp. Dr. Bruce Howard, KHRC Equine Medical Director, will review all account requests. The account is free.
At all times, a horse must be in serviceable, sound racing condition in order to race, work, or train on Kentucky Race Tracks. It is the Trainer’s obligation to confirm the horse is in serviceable, sound racing condition in order to race, work, or train.
The attending Veterinarian, or a member of their practice, and the Trainer are obligated to inform the KHRC of any changes in the horse’s fitness after the examination is completed and before the horse races.
Send questions regarding Pre-Entry exams to the KHRC Entry Exam email listed above or call Alicia Ritter at 502-545-3212.
