FRANKFORT — Attorney General Ben Chandler's office has withdrawn as legal counsel for the Kentucky Racing Commission, and Mr. Chandler won't say why.

        The commission chairman, Frank Shoop, contends it has to do with the racetracks' push for slot machines, but a spokeswoman for Mr. Chandler said it has nothing to do with that.

        The spokeswoman, Barbara Hadley Smith, said she wasn't allowed to say why the office was severing ties with the commission. The office, which represents many other state agencies, hasn't cut off any others in recent memory, she said.

        “I wasn't given a lot of detail, so I don't know the reason,” Mr. Shoop said. “I assume it has something to do with the slot bill that's going through.”

        But Ms. Smith said, “I can very strongly tell you that is not the case.”

        The attorney general's office sent a letter to the commission late Monday, saying it would have to find its own legal representation as of March 30. An assistant attorney general has advised the commission for at least a decade on legal matters involving personnel, licensing, drug testing and other issues.

        The commission hasn't taken a position on whether tracks should be allowed to have slot machines or some other form of casino gambling. But individual commission members, many of whom have close ties to the racing industry, are thought to support expanded gambling at tracks.

        Tracks and horse groups say nearby riverboat casinos and racetracks with slots draw horses and customers from Kentucky.

        The attorney general won't discuss slot machines because he may be asked for a legal opinion on the issue, Ms. Smith said.

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