Lasix Screw Up Leads to Two-Horse Race at Belmont Park
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Salix, more commonly referred to as Lasix
An already short field of six horses in the third race at Belmont Park May 19 was reduced to two starters after four entrants "were not administered Lasix within the permitted timeframe," tweeted Pat McKenna, vice president of communications for the New York Racing Association.
New York State Gaming Commission rules state that "A horse that is not present at least four hours prior to post time or that has not received the administration of (Lasix) pursuant to this subdivision shall be ineligible to start."
The scratches left only 1-2 favorite Pharoah's Heart and 4-5 second choice Honey Money competing in what was an unintended match race under second-level allowance optional claiming conditions. The two horses dueled early in the mile dirt race before Pharoah's Heart asserted her superiority in what was "basically a walkover at the end," track announcer John Imbriale described.
Pharoah's Heart finishes well in front of Honey Money in the two-horse third race May 19 at Belmont Park
Jose Lezcano rode the winner, a 6-year-old daughter of American Pharoah , for trainer Michelle Nevin and owner Tom McCrocklin.
Trainers told Thoroughbred Daily News they were informed that the veterinarian assigned to administer Lasix did not do so by the required time, leading to the scratch.
Horses are treated with Lasix to prevent respiratory bleeding, though some critics of the medication claim it is performance-enhancing partially because the diuretic reduces body weight.
Last year, the NYSGC fined a NYRA veterinarian $4,000 for failure to follow proper Lasix procedures, which caused the scratches of four horses in a race at Belmont on June 9. Multiple NYRA veterinarians are responsible for administering Lasix.