NYRA Veterinarian Fined $4K for Lasix Procedure Errors

In a June 12 ruling, the New York State Gaming Commission fined veterinarian Steven Lascher $4,000 for "failing to follow proper Lasix procedure necessitating the late scratches of horses" that were entered in the seventh race at Belmont Park June 9. The 1 1/8-mile turf race went to post with only two horses.

According to Daily Racing Form, Lascher, one of several veterinarians employed by the New York Racing Association for administering Lasix, did not show up to the barns within the allotted time to administer the medication to two horses trained by Christophe Clement, and one horse apiece trained by Orlando Noda and Bill Mott.

State steward Braulio Baeza Jr. told the Form that Lascher admitted to the mistake and was fined $1,000 per horse.

Brad Maione, director of communications for the NYSGC, informed BloodHorse that the ruling is under appeal.

Lasix, a diuretic used to prevent respiratory bleeding, is typically given to horses about four hours before post time. Belmont ran a later card June 9 that began a couple of hours after the track's usual start time.

Lascher is the fourth NYRA employee to be fined by the NYSGC since late April.

Pat McKenna, vice president of communications for NYRA, could not be immediately reached for comment. Following one of the earlier fines, he said that NYRA would seek additional information from NYSGC "on the rationale for issuing substantial financial penalties to individual NYRA employees for inadvertent administrative or clerical errors."