I am forwarding the following information about Kentucky vesicular
stomatitis (VS) restrictions. We have the official memo and regulation provided
by Kentucky posted on the TAHC web site. The site is:
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us

Carla Everett, TAHC Public Information



Kentucky Governor Eases VS Restrictions

(from Lone Star Park report)
Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher issued an emergency regulation late
Thursday changing the restrictions on Texas livestock entering Kentucky
that were imposed because of a vesicular stomatitis (VS). The emergency
regulations will allow livestock from most of Texas, including horses from
Lone Star Park, to enter Kentucky under certain conditions.

Governor Fletcher's emergency regulation amends the 1998 law that resulted
in a ban of all livestock coming into Kentucky from states affected by VS.

"I have signed an order that minimizes the impact of the ban on the
Kentucky livestock industry while maintaining adequate protections for
Kentucky animals," Governor Fletcher stated in a press release.

The ruling paves the way for Kentucky horsemen to reconsider shipping their
horses to Lone Star Park for Monday's sixth annual Lone Star Million. In
order to return to Kentucky, horses must have a negative VS test within the
30-day period preceding entry into Kentucky.

"This is extremely positive news," said Jeff Greco, Lone Star general manager.

Greco said that officials in Lone Star Park's racing office were "working
tirelessly" Thursday evening to communicate the news to Kentucky-based
horsemen.

"We're hopeful that we might be able to add a runner or two to our races,"
Greco said.

A Tex Sutton charter flight is scheduled to depart from New York on Friday
morning and stop in Kentucky to transport some out-of-state participants to
Dallas for Monday's Lone Star Million , a series of seven stakes races
cumulatively worth $1 million. Another flight is scheduled to transport
California-based runners on Saturday.

On Wednesday, Texas Racing Commission veterinarians completed examinations
of 1,450 horses stabled at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. None
showed signs of VS.

VS can affect horses, cattle, pigs, and occasionally, sheep, goats and
deer, causing blisters to form in the animal's mouth or along the hooves.

On May 19, the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa,
confirmed that three horses on a ranch in a remote and sparsely populated
area near Balmorhea, Texas, had clinical signs of VS.

All livestock on the affected ranch, located approximately 480 miles
southwest of Lone Star Park near the New Mexico border, will remain
quarantined for several weeks.

Greco said that all horses that enter the Lone Star Park stable area will
be examined by Texas licensed veterinarians to eliminate concerns about VS.