Md. Racing Panel Endorses Wider Use of Lasix at Tracks

The Maryland Racing Commission has endorsed recommendations that will broaden the use of Lasix at state tracks.

The controversial drug, which is widely used in almost every racing jurisdiction in the country except New York, will now be available in Maryland for use on 2-year-olds.

The new guidelines are designed to provide a uniform Lasix program for Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, all neighboring states that allow horses to be treated with Lasix.

Until now, the youngest of racehorses were kept off the drug. But at a commission meeting at Laurel, Dr. Allan Levey, who chairs the board’s medication committee, said the consensus among horsemen, veterinarians, commissioners and track officials was that “a horse is a horse, regardless of age. If you use Lasix on older horses, why not use it on a 2-year-old if he needs it?”

Lasix is a diuretic, commonly used in humans to lower blood pressure. It is acknowledged to be the most effective drug to stop “bleeding” in racehorses. The term “bleeding” refers to internal hemorrhaging brought about by the stress of racing. Sometimes, the hemorrhaging is so severe that a horse trickles blood from the nose.