Motor Sport

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

5th-GP, $84K, Msw, 3yo, 1mT, 2:20 p.m. ET. Over the course of her bright racing career for e Five, New Money Honey (Medaglia d'Oro) collected four higher level trophies–two of which were of the Grade I variety. The second to the races for her celebrated dam, WRATHCHILD (War Front) will carry the same colors as New Money Honey and his older half-brother Nemo (Into Mischief). The first-time starter trained by Brendan Walsh enjoys an extended female family which includes sire Any Given Saturday (by Distorted Humor) and GSW Bohemian Lady (Carson City). Also set for his unveiling is Manawa (Not This Time). Bred by Candy Meadows and taken home by Pin Oak Stud for $525,000 during Keeneland September, the colt was sent to trainer Bill Mott. The 3-year-old is out of GSP Ulele (Candy Ride {Arg}), who is a half-sister to the dam of GSW Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief) and SW American Promise (Justify). TJCIS PPS The post Friday Insights: Son Of War Front And New Money Honey Unveiled At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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–has been announced by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association. Each 2-year-old winner of a maiden special weight, allowance, allowance optional claiming or stakes race at either track during calendar year 2026 will earn a $25,000 racing incentive paid directly by the FTBOA–$20,000 to the winning owner and $5,000 to the breeder. The new program replaces the Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-olds. “The FTBOA did not enter this decision lightly,” FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell said. “We had no other choice since repeated attempts to negotiate an agreement with the parties for the last six months went nowhere.” “It is tragic that our breeders and owners have been denied Florida's traditional centerpiece races, but we are excited to announce the new Florida Sire Racing Incentives for 2026,” Powell said. “Florida breeders, owners and the sales segment will all benefit from this lucrative and timely initiative. With almost 70 percent of Florida-bred winners in Florida being Florida-sired, this program delivers real value where it matters most.” He added, “The new Florida Sire Racing Incentives Program continues the FTBOA's expanding investments in Florida's Thoroughbred industry; joining the $1 million FTBOA Export Incentives launched to reward breeders whose Florida-breds win at out-of-state tracks, fee-free FTBOA and Florida Sire foal registrations, and the FTBOA's steadfast defense against decoupling.” The post $1-Million Florida Sire Racing Incentives Program Launched for 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A new Equine Health Advisory identifying key risk factors associated with fatal proximal hindlimb fractures in Thoroughbreds was revealed by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) Thursday. The advisory, which is based on data drawn from the HISA Portal, provides practical guidance for trainers and veterinarians on how to help prevent these catastrophic injuries. In 2024 and 2025, Regulatory Veterinarians at Covered Racetracks reported 28 fatal tibial (12) and pelvic bone (16) fractures. Most (75%) fractures occurred during training; 25% occurred during racing. Approximately 40% of horses with fatal proximal hindlimb fractures reported to HISA had 10 or fewer high-speed furlongs recorded within the 60 days prior to the fracture occurring. Fatal Tibial Fractures Approximately 40% of horses with fatal tibial fractures, specifically, had zero recorded lifetime high-speed furlongs; 50% had 10 or fewer high-speed furlongs recorded in the 60 days prior to fracture. Four of these horses (roughly 15%) had been on the Veterinarians' List as unsound at least once in the previous year, underscoring the need for careful attending veterinary evaluation once these horses are flagged by Regulatory Veterinarians. Two others were older, unraced horses: one was unraced at 4-years-old; one was unraced at 5-years-old. Both sustained fatal tibial fractures. Fatal Pelvic Bone Fractures Approximately 80% of fatal fractures of the pelvic bones occurred in fillies and mares, while fatal tibial fractures occurred more evenly across both sexes. This data suggests that a lack of high-speed exercise, such as in horses just starting training or returning from an extended layoff, may pose a significant risk for fatal proximal hindlimb fractures—just as it does for proximal forelimb fractures. This is the third Equine Health Advisory that HISA has issued, following advisories on proximal forelimb fractures and exercise-associated sudden death. “It's important that HISA utilizes the data we collect to draw insights and share learnings with the industry,” said Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, HISA Director of Policy and Industry Initiatives. “This advisory, like the proximal forelimb fracture advisory, aligns with HISA's commitment to data-driven safety and education among industry stakeholders.” The full advisory is available here. The post HISA Issues Equine Health Advisory on Risk Factors for Fatal Proximal Hindlimb Fractures appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Newly minted sire Arthur's Ride (by Tapit), who won the GI Whitney Stakes with a 110 Beyer at Saratoga, has his first mares checked in foal according to news out of Taylor Made Stallions on Thursday. The first mare covered successfully is Imimpeccable (Include), who is a half-sister to GSW The Mailet (Rock Hard Ten). Now 13, she's also from the decorated family of Stellar Jane (Wild Rush), Starrer (Dynaformer), Star Billing (Dynamformer) and champion 2-year-old filly Just F Y I (Justify)–all of whom are either Grade I winners or multiple Grade I winners. Joining Imimpeccable is Miss River (Uncle Mo). A 4-year-old maiden out of Indian Gardens (Pioneerof the Nile), this mare counts as her second dam dual champion & MGISW Indian Blessing (Indian Charlie). The post New Sire Arthur’s Ride Has His First Mares Checked In Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article