Arkansas approves rules allowing Oaklawn to write Lasix-free stakes

An Arkansas rule change that now gives Oaklawn Park the ability to write Kentucky Derby points races like the Arkansas Derby as Lasix-free events was approved Friday by a state legislative review committee. The panel also gave final approval to other rules and amendments recently passed by the Arkansas Racing Commission.

Byron Freeland, attorney for the commission, said the rules will go into effect before the start of the Oaklawn meet. The season opens Jan. 22.

The action on designated Lasix-free races comes as other states have adopted policies for their preps due to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks being run Lasix-free in 2021. Churchill Downs will no longer award qualifying points for Derby and Oaks prep races if they were not run Lasix-free.

Oaklawn has four points races for the Kentucky Derby – the Smarty Jones, Southwest, Rebel, and Arkansas Derby. It has three points races for the Kentucky Oaks – the Martha Washington, Honeybee, and Fantasy.

:: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program.

The approvals Friday also enable Oaklawn to write Lasix-free stakes races “as necessary for such stakes races to remain eligible for graded status.”

The committee also gave approval to an amendment that defines the “only permissible riding crops as 360 Gentle Touch, Pro-Cush, or other similar riding crops approved by the stewards.”

Other approvals included amendments prohibiting the use of clenbuterol within 60 days of a race; allowing testing of horse hair; and reducing the permitted dosage of Lasix from 500 milligrams to 250 milligrams, unless authorized by the commission veterinarian.