PA Commission Approves Policy to Ban Race-Day Lasix in 2-year-old Races, Graded Stakes
April 28th, 2021
by Tom LaMarra
The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission April 27 approved an administrative policy that will eliminate the use of race-day Lasix in 2-year-old races and graded stakes effective June 1 of this year.
The policy, which was published earlier in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and pertains only to Thoroughbred racing, was on the agenda for the commission’s March meeting but was tabled to the April session, during which representatives from horsemen’s groups and racetracks were given the opportunity to comment. Horsemen’s groups, including those on the Standardbred side, do not support the policy change and suggested the matter be deferred.
The PHRC, however, voted 5-0 with one abstention to approve the policy. Two commissioners who represent the Standardbred industry did not vote under commission practices.
