Kentucky EDRC to Again Discuss Lasix Phaseout Nov. 22
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
The Kentucky Equine Drug and Research Council scheduled a Nov. 22 meeting to discuss the consideration of phasing out race-day Lasix in 2-year-olds in 2020 and race-day Lasix in stakes races in 2021.
At the most recent meeting Oct. 28, the same item was voted down 5-3 by the EDRC, a committee that makes medication rule recommendations to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
EDRC members Michael Kilgore, Johnny Mac Smith, Andy Roberts, James Morehead, and Marc Cheney voted against the item. All five are practicing racetrack veterinarians. Sen. Damon Thayer, Churchill Downs executive Mike Ziegler, and veterinarian and EDRC chair Stuart Brown voted for it. Art Zubrod, who represents Standardbred breeders on the committee, did not attend the meeting.
The new rules on Lasix are supported by Kentucky tracks as outlined in an Aug. 11 letter to KHRC general counsel John Forgy.
In April, Churchill Downs and Keeneland were among a coalition of tracks that announced they would be applying those same rules. The New York Racing Association, The Stronach Group, and Del Mar represent major racetrack operators that are also part of the coalition. The Aug. 11 letter also included Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs, and Turfway Park.
Friday's EDRC meeting will take place at 9 a.m. ET within the office of the KHRC at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.