Fair Grounds granted commission approval for its major 3-year-old stakes to be Lasix-free in 2021

The Louisiana Racing Commission on Wednesday voted 9-1 to allow the Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds Oaks, and their respective preps run in New Orleans to be Lasix-free races.

The “Lasix rules exception” item was one of several taken up during a two-hour emergency meeting in which the agency approved an amended, 84-date meet for hurricane-damaged Delta Downs in Vinton. The meet will now start Nov. 24 and run through April 16.

The commission late Wednesday approved a Lasix-free policy for the Lecomte, Risen Star, and Louisiana Derby, and the Silverbulletday, Rachel Alexandra, and Fair Grounds Oaks. The races carry points for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

The Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks are scheduled to be run Lasix-free in 2021 at Churchill Downs. Fair Grounds and Churchill are owned by Churchill Downs Inc.

:: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more.

Prior to the vote, a Fair Grounds official told the commission there was national support in adopting the Lasix-free policy for the designated races as preps next year will be held Lasix-free in Arkansas, California, Florida, and New York. It also was stated no Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks qualifying points would be awarded for the Fair Grounds races if they were not run Lasix-free.

Daily Racing Form has requested comment from Churchill Downs.

A representative of the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association told the commission it was in favor of Lasix being used in the designated races and said the stance was unanimous among members of its board.

Fair Grounds conferred with the Louisiana HBPA before making its presentation at the meeting Wednesday.

In other business, a Delta official gave an update on the work being done to repair its facility after the damage inflicted by Hurricane Laura, which forced the track to postpone the start of its meet that was to begin in October. The original meet was to run to the end of February.

The official said Delta is confident it will be able to open its stable area Oct. 27 and commence its meet Nov. 24. The track will have a daytime post because the lights on the racetrack will not be available this meet due to the hurricane. The track also will race Monday through Thursday as opposed to its typical Wednesday through Saturday schedule.

Delta had originally asked for a 79-date amended meet to be considered by the commission, but added five days, an official said Wednesday, after conversations with horsemen. The approval will lead to a later start for the track’s meet for Quarter Horses. It could be two weeks later, with a new dates request to be forthcoming, a Delta official said.

Delta’s casino is back operating, and one of the towers of its hotel is operational while a second is scheduled to be available in December. The commission required the track to submit a meet back-up plan in case it is unable to open Nov. 24.

In other date allotments, the commission approved a 76-date Thoroughbred meet for Fair Grounds, opening Nov. 26 and racing through March 28. The agency voted to approve a meet shorter than the state-mandated 80 days because of hardships out of the control of Fair Grounds.

Fair Grounds will be racing at the same time as Delta for a longer than anticipated timeframe with Delta now racing during the month of March.

Louisiana Downs on Wednesday was granted an 84-date meet for Thoroughbreds for 2021, from May 1-Sept. 22. The track also received approval for a 46-date meet for Quarter Horses, from Jan. 9-March 24.