Veterinarian suspended for not administering Lasix

ARCADIA, Calif. – Southern California veterinarian Melinda Blue was fined $1,500 and suspended seven calendar days for failing to administer the anti-bleeding medication Lasix to a horse in her care, according to a ruling issued Saturday by Santa Anita stewards.

Blue was cited for failing to administer the medication to Miracle Merger prior to the first race at Santa Anita on Oct. 26, 2013. Miracle Merger, an 8-1 shot trained by Paula Capestro, finished third in a $12,500 claimer over six furlongs. Miracle Merger finished second in his next start, on Dec. 22.

In a hearing with Santa Anita stewards Scott Chaney, Kim Sawyer, and Tom Ward in early February, racing board investigators said a horse under Blue’s care did not receive a Lasix injection before a race despite being on the bleeders list. A post-race test revealed that the horse was not administered the medication.

At the hearing, Blue said she administered the medication.

The suspension runs from Thursday through May 21. Blue declined to comment on the ruling when approached in the stable area Sunday morning.