Lasix Found to Aid Horses’ Performance : Racing: A study also found that the drug, used to control bleeding, does not always work. The medication is legal in some states but banned in others.

A University of Pennsylvania study released today shows that Lasix improves a race horse’s performance but does not always have the desired effect.

The study, commissioned and funded by the Jockey Club, was the first to test the effect of the medication called furosemide, used to control bleeding in horses. Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled was one of five horses who ran on the substance in that race.

The Penn research team, headed by veterinarians Corinne Raphel Sweeney, Lawrence Soma and Abbey Maxson, administered Lasix to 76 non-bleeders at Philadelphia Park Racetrack during the 1988-89 racing season. Using three races in the study--two without the medication being applied, the third with it--the researchers found an improvement of 0.48 seconds or 2.4 lengths for a one-mile race when Lasix was used. The greatest gain was found in geldings, whose performance improved by 1.08 seconds or 5.4 lengths.

In a related test, the researchers also found the racing performance of 52 bleeders also was improved when Lasix was applied, although not by as much as the non-bleeders. The average improvement among the bleeders was .26 seconds or 1.3 lengths with geldings again displaying the best gains.

In each case, colts showed minimal or no gains, but the researchers said they felt the difference was related to age rather than gender since the geldings tested were, on the average, older.

In an interesting sidelight to the study, Sweeney said that even after Lasix was administered, 32 of the 52 bleeders, 62%, continued to bleed. Of 235 non-bleeders who ran on the drug, 62 bled following their races.

Bleeding is not an unusual condition for thoroughbreds and the Penn vets had to screen nearly 700 horses to find 79 free of bleeding after three races who could then be used in the research.

Ogden Mills Phipps, chairman of the Jockey Club, said the study was undertaken following discussion by all segments of the racing community--trainers, owners, jockeys, veterinarians and officials.

“Nobody had ever defined the effects of Lasix on horses before,” Phipps said.

“We wanted to get the facts. We’ve mailed copies of this report to every racing commission in America. The Jockey Club opposes any artificial substance that enhances the racing ability of thoroughbreds. We are not in a position to dictate what the commissions should be doing. We are in position to inform them of the information available.

“What the Jockey Club wants is to make sure racing is run fairly and perceived by the public to be run fairly.”

Lasix is banned in some racing states like New York but permitted in others, like Maryland and Kentucky.