Maryland Tracks Seek Lasix-Free Racing for Juveniles

In accordance with the national movement that was initiated by the Thoroughbred horse industries in California, Florida, Kentucky, and New York, the Maryland Jockey Club announced June 18 that it informed the Maryland Racing Commission of its plans to prohibit the race-day usage of Lasix for 2-year-olds, the MJC said in a release.

The two Maryland Jockey Club tracks, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, are owned by The Stronach Group, which operates a brand called 1/ST Racing. 

No races for 2-year-olds have been run this year in Maryland. Laurel Park, which runs most often in the state, was closed for over two months due to COVID-19 and did not reopen until May 30.

"The time has come to phase out Lasix beginning with 2-year-old horses," said Belinda Stronach, the chairman and president of The Stronach Group and 1/ST Racing. "We are following through on 1/ST Racing's commitment to put horse and rider safety and welfare at the forefront. We believe in the principle that horses should only be racing free of medication. By taking this important step together, the Maryland racing community will become stronger and provide the right foundation for our sport to progress into the future."

A phaseout of Lasix, a diuretic meant to control respiratory bleeding but that some critics believe has performance-enhancing effects, has already begun at other tracks. Juvenile races at TSG tracks Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park have taken place without race-day Lasix this spring, as they have at non-TSG tracks such as Churchill Downs and Belmont Park. 

Those tracks and others, plus Thoroughbred associations and organizations, are all part of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, a group that wishes to continue the Lasix phaseout in 2021 by extending the prohibition to stakes races at coalition tracks, including the prestigious Triple Crown events.

The overwhelming majority of horses in the United States compete with the medication.

"The clear weight of evidence shows that what began decades ago as a limited therapeutic to assist the few horses that were problem bleeders has become a crutch for those looking for a competitive edge," said Craig Fravel, the CEO of 1/ST Racing. "The time is now to address this matter and to do so without delay."

Although many industry organizations support a phaseout of Lasix, not all industry groups or participants do. Many trainers endorse the use of the medication to limit or stop bleeding, as does the American Association of Equine Practitioners. 

The Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has been vocal in its opposition to the ban of the use of Lasix in 2-year-old races in Kentucky, filing a lawsuit against Churchill Downs and Keeneland, another Kentucky track that supports a phaseout, and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

In a June 1 ruling, Franklin (Ky.) Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate rejected arguments made by the Kentucky HBPA's attorneys during a hearing in May, noting the Kentucky HBPA "has failed to set forth some actual or imminent injury to at least one individual member" as a result of the ban of Lasix for 2-year-old races.

During those court proceedings, motions of support of the Lasix prohibition for 2-year-old racing at Churchill Downs and Keeneland were filed by representatives from The Jockey Club, Breeders' Cup, and Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.