Kentucky commission draws closer to partial Lasix ban

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A proposal to phase out some raceday administrations of the anti-bleeding medication Lasix took a crucial step forward on Monday when it was approved by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

The proposal would eliminate the raceday administration of furosemide, colloquially referred to as Lasix, in Kentucky 2-year-old races beginning next year, and would extend to all stakes races in the state in 2021. The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council (EDRC), an offshoot of the KHRC, had voted in favor of the proposal on Nov. 25, advancing it to the full KHRC for a vote.

Under the rule, horses affected by the Lasix phase-out would be allowed to receive the medication, administered by a veterinarian of the trainer’s choosing, up to 24 hours prior to post time. The horses would also have to be on the grounds of the racetrack 24 hours in advance. Horses in races not affected by the phase-out would continue to operate under current rules, such as being permitted to ship in from another track or training center the day of the race in most cases, and having Lasix administered by a commission veterinarian on race day.

The proposed rule changes are written to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020 and 2021, respectively. However, the changes are subject to additional formal steps before implementation, which could affect the dates they come into practice. The standard procedure for any ordinary regulation or proposed state law change is a legislative review process and approval, and a public commenting period. Only then can it be implemented on the racetrack. John Forgy, the general counsel for the KHRC, indicated that this process typically takes anywhere from five to eight months. Keeneland cards Kentucky's first 2-year-old races of the season at its spring meeting in April.

Unlike ordinary regulations, proposals submitted as emergency regulations may be immediately approved by the governor of the state. The KHRC voted that its Lasix proposal be advanced to the governor's office to be considered under either category. If the governor chose to give the proposal emergency consideration, it could be approved in time for the Jan. 1 date; if not, it would go through the ordinary process. Kentucky Governor-elect Andy Beshear will be sworn in on Dec. 10, replacing outgoing Governor Matt Bevin.

Supporters of the rule hope that actions by the KHRC to phase out the use of Lasix will lead to similar actions in other major racing jurisdictions. A ban on raceday Lasix is generally supported by breeders, and many organizations aligned with that constituency, such as The Jockey Club, have backed proposals to limit the raceday use of the drug.

Already, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields, both owned by The Stronach Group, will prohibit raceday Lasix use next year beginning with the 2-year-old crop. That ban will be extended to all foal crops that follow next year’s 2-year-olds. That policy was announced earlier this year as the result of an agreement between The Stronach Group and the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

The KHRC also voted to approve seven other items involving medication regulations or veterinary care that were advanced to it by recommendation of the EDRC. Those proposals were the consideration of extending withdrawal times for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from 24 to 48 hours; to make the corticosteroid stand-down time 14 days; to limit the use of bisphosphonates to FDA-approved use in horses 4 and older only, an issue major North American sale companies have tackled this year; to eliminate the use of electronic therapies, such as the use of Magna Wave products, on horses on race day; to request 14 days of medical records for a horse to be submitted at time of entry, with those transferred to all subsequent owners and trainers; for horses to be examined by veterinarians prior to entry time, a practice adopted in California this year; and to change the penalty classification for scopolamine, which commonly appears as a contaminant in jimson weed, from a KHRC Class B substance to a Class C substance.