NYRA bans administration of Lasix before stakes races

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Administration of the anti-bleeding medication furosemide, known by the trade name Lasix, will be prohibited within 48 hours of all stakes races conducted at New York Racing Association tracks in 2021, NYRA announced Wednesday.

This year, all 2-year-old races at NYRA tracks – Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga – were run without Lasix.

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NYRA is part of a coalition of racing organizations trying to make medication regulations uniform throughout the industry.

“NYRA is pleased to honor the commitment we made to our coalition partners by greatly expanding the ban on race day medication to all stakes races in 2021,” Martin Panza, NYRA senior vice president of racing operations, said in a release. “We look forward to working with racetracks around the country who share our desire to achieve uniform and consistent rules that advance safety and integrity. As evidenced by the passage of The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, there is significant appetite for positive change that will benefit the sport.”