Horse Racing News by Matt Hegarty

Horses running on dirt surfaces in 2011 at North American tracks suffered fatal injuries at nearly twice the rate of horses running on artificial surfaces, according to a Jockey Club project that tracks equine injuries.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club outside of San Diego has sent an informational package to Breeders' Cup expressing interest in hosting a future edition of the organization's year-end event, the Breeders' Cup's chief executive said on Tuesday.

John Veitch, the former chief state steward of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, should face a one-year suspension in Kentucky for "gross negligence of his duties" in relation to the Life At Ten incident at the 2010 Breeders' Cup.

The Association of Racing Commissioners International has approved model rules that would limit raceday furosemide administrations to regulatory vets and prohibit the administration of any other medication on race day, the RCI said on Tuesday.

John Veitch filed an appeal of his dismissal on Wednesday with the Kentucky Personnel Board, contending that he has been discriminated against because of his age and that the state violated his rights by failing to provide a cause for his dismissal.

John Veitch was dismissed as chief state steward for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Monday, according to his lawyer.

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. on Wednesday received a stay of a 10-year suspension handed down last month by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board that will likely remain in force until his appeal of the board's decision is resolved.

The American Graded Stakes Committee has approved a measure to require that the diuretic furosemide be banned in 2-year-old stakes in 2012 for the races to remain eligible for the grades it assigns.

In-the-money finishes in 33 graded stakes races held in Canada will now earn points toward qualifying for the races held by the Breeders' Cup during its year-end event, the Breeders' Cup announced on Wednesday.

Breeders' Cup will conduct the post-position draw for its 15 races on the Monday prior to the two-day event this year, one day earlier than in previous years, the organization announced on Wednesday.