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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Late trainers Christophe Clement and John Shirreffs are among 13 nominees (seven racehorses and six trainers) for the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame class of 2026.View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
While Churchill Downs Inc. is a diverse company involved in historical horse racing, casino gaming, and advance-deposit wagering, it served up a reminder Feb. 26 that its flagship racetrack also played a part in a record-breaking 2025.View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Super Saturday at Meydan Racecourse has some top contenders for World Cup night, among them Heart of Honor and Rebel's Romance, both familiar to American punters.View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association announced a new $1 million Florida Sire Racing Incentive Program for 2026, providing win incentives to owners and breeders of FSS-eligible 2-year-olds at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs.View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Anytime Bill Mott and Mark Casse have something to say I pay attention…and they have weighed in on the importance of maintaining use of furosemide (Lasix) on race day as a help in preventing pulmonary bleeding during races. I agree with them…but with one condition. Horses who receive Lasix should carry more weight. Bill and Mark and the other trainers speaking out contend that Lasix should be allowed until scientific studies can provide definitive proof that Lasix is a “performance-enhancing drug.” As a former National Defense Research Fellow during my doctoral program, I know that the probability of doing rigorous studies that can achieve scientific certainty and be replicated is next to zero. It is simply not possible in our racehorse world to design randomized, controlled experiments that account for numerous contaminating variables and that are performed with a large number of horses, same track conditions, and same distance. We will never get “scientific certainty.” But in the midst of uncertainty, it is often useful to identify facts and common ground. One thing we can all agree on is that the horse must come first. I believe that protecting horses is an essential part of competent stewardship and should be our first thought. Lasix is protective. Many horses are susceptible to bleeding without Lasix. And strong scientific evidence shows that race-day Lasix reliably reduces the incidence and severity of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), which we simply call bleeding. Let's take those facts as givens. Another fact worth noting is that eliminating Lasix will likely deliver another blow to our steadily declining industry. Field sizes are already shrinking, despite fewer tracks. They will shrink further. Beyond the facts and evidence that Lasix is necessary for some horses and the industry, however, strong suggestive evidence also exists that Lasix produces performance improvements through weight loss and altered physiology. Multiple studies show that horses lose 20-30 pounds after administration of Lasix, that oxygen diffusion may be slightly improved, and that cardiac workload changes. Some studies also suggest that modest improvements are obtained in VO2 Max and “time to fatigue.” Cardiopulmonary changes also exist; small, but measurable. All of these findings suggest that Lasix provides an edge. At this point, we should pause and ask: Why is Lasix or diuretics banned in Europe, UK, Australia, Hong Kong, and the Olympics? And why is Lasix banned in professional Cycling as a masking agent for other drugs? My assessment of the total picture is that the smart approach for us to take for now is to kick the can down the road and continue closely regulated use of Lasix for older horses, simply for economic reasons and to protect the horse. The current banning of Lasix for two-year-olds and stakes has worked well and should be retained. But, if we continue to use Lasix for the benefit of the horse and racetracks we should also develop a strategy for the benefit of all owners. We need a level playing field. I believe a weight allowance makes sense for horses not running on Lasix. Because jockeys often have difficulty making lower weights, I believe horses running on Lasix should be assigned a higher weight than horses not on Lasix: two pounds at five furlongs, three pounds at six furlongs, and a pound for each furlong beyond six furlongs. This strategy will not bring us in compliance with the rest of the horse and athletic world, but it will provide protection for our beloved horses and create a more level playing field for owners and players who are essential to the health and long-term viability of our sport. The post Letter to the Editor: In Pursuit of a Level Playing Field appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
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