US lifts ban on use of Lasix - Horseracing Update
Following intense resistance by the horsemen, the American horseracing authorities have lifted ban from the use of Lasix for juvenile graded races.
This reversal of the policy will now allow the trainers to medicate their horses on race days in order to prevent them from bleeding through nose while running.
The American Graded Stakes Committee imposed this ban in August 2010 in a bid to bring US in line with the other racing nations and comply with the international horseracing rules, but the owners and trainers did not except this at all.
There have been tough opposition at the part of the horsemen since last couple of months, forcing the committee to reverse its decision.
However, a separate committee has been formed to overview the medication process so that the chances of doping can be minimised.
While speaking to the media today, the committee’s chairman, David Richardson, told, “The committee will continue to engage in productive discussions within the industry, to educate the public, and to explore all avenues to effect positive changes with regard
to the responsible use of medication for the benefit of graded stakes races, and the preservation of the integrity of those races.”
The graded stakes including two-year-old horses are held in six US states every year. The racing stats include Kentucky, Ney York, California, New Jersey, Illinois and Louisiana.
Currently, the entries for these contests are being confirmed coupled with finalisation of all other necessary arrangements.
Lasix is the trade name of Furosemide. This medicine is used to pre-empt heart failure and edema. Before launching the horses on tracks, the drug is inserted in their stomachs so that they do not start bleeding while running.
However, some horsemen allegedly use this medicine as a masking agent for other drugs. Therefore, it includes in the banned list of World Anti-Doping Agency.
Since the ban has been slashed, it is being feared that the drug will again be misused during this season. This is a matter of grave concerns for most of the racing analysts and officials of the world. However, the move has been welcomed by the American
horsemen.
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