Kentucky lawmakers weigh fund to aid backside racing workers.(Knight Ridder Newspapers.)

Byline: Janet Patton

LEXINGTON, Ky. _ Kentucky lawmakers will be asked to create a special fund to provide workers' compensation coverage for the backside workers whose jobs are among the most dangerous at Kentucky racetracks.

At the request of Gov. Ernie Fletcher, the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority is expected to vote this week to recommend legislation creating the Kentucky Injury Compensation Fund, which would cover licensed jockeys, apprentice jockeys and exercise riders.

"It's a mammoth step in helping the backside," said Tom Ludt, an authority member and insurance agent.

The non-profit state fund would be financed by Kentucky racetracks, trainers and horse owners, said Ludt, the chairman of a subcommittee the authority formed in November to respond to a jockeys' walkout at Churchill Downs.

The jockeys were seeking an increase of the $100,000 in coverage that tracks provide for them _ money that evaporates quickly in cases of devastating injury.

Officials said last week that exercise riders, who often work with no coverage at all, would be included in the proposed fund.