JC / Railbird

Raceday Medications

Looking Outward

Santa Anita’s willingness to guarantee a Lasix-free Breeders’ Cup in 2013 was a major factor in the decision to return to Arcadia:

“It is very important to us,” said Christian, speaking in Baden-Baden before Sunday’s Grosser Preis von Baden, which is now part of the Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge series.

“We consider ourselves [an] international event, not an American event — and when you’re an international event you have to adhere to international standards.”

Posted in Racing on September 2, 2012 / Tagged Breeders' Cup, Drugs in Racing, International, Lasix, Raceday Medications, Santa Anita

Lasix, An Expensive Habit

Arthur Hancock in the May 18 issue of TDN:

As owners, we are paying a minimum of $100 million a year just for the use of Lasix alone, not counting the money we spend for “jugs” to revive the horses after they have had this powerful diuretic. If you add butazolidin and all of the other veterinary charges to the list, I calculate that we are shelling out at least $150 million a year.

That works out to an average of $359.55 in veterinary charges per start in 2010. Considering the expense, owners should be clamoring to eliminate raceday drugs; even cutting Hancock’s estimate in half would be a boon.

Posted in Racing on May 18, 2011 / Tagged Drugs in Racing, Owners, Raceday Medications

Advance Notice

Joe Drape on proposed federal legislation of drugs in racing:

Some of horse racing’s most influential stakeholders have known that the bill was coming and in recent weeks have called for the elimination of all illegal drugs as well as legal ones, like corticosteroids, that can mask an injury.

I had been wondering what gave rise to recent concord on the issue …

Posted in Racing on April 29, 2011 / Tagged Drugs in Racing, Federal Legislation, IHA, Raceday Medications, RCI