Proposed weight breaks for horses not using lasix
 

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/wgoh/...-mitchell.aspx

5lbs handicap for less than 7 furlongs.

4lbs handicap for 7-to-9 furlongs.

3lbs handicap for beyond 9 furlongs.


I remember when they introduced New York Breds getting weight breaks when they faced opens. I think they even got the weight breaks when they faced opens in Graded Stakes around the time of Carson Hollow.

This is a great idea.

Make it even more simple -- a weight break of 5lbs at all distances for horses who don't use lasix -- issue solved.

Try to give connections an incentive to not use lasix on a horse who doesn't need it -- the same way you try to give them an incentive to ride inexperienced jockeys.

A better incentive would be to give a purse boost to those who race without it.

A lot of journeymen riders won't make the lower weight, so it will be moot many times.

Good point. How about raising the base assigned weight 2 or 3 lbs and then giving the 5 lb credit for non-lasix? That should make it easier for most riders to make non-lasix weight.

As Calzone said, giving a weight break to non-lasix horses is simple and creates the right incentive. Also, it doesn't cost the track anything, as opposed to a purse incentive.

--Dunbar

A more major, significant mention within the story: something that will definitively affect how individual horses at this level perform in races, if they are vet scratched or able to run in a particular race, and the wagering/handicapping of the horses at these venues:

If you read the PDF proposal, the first thing that becomes clear is the overuse of words such as "perceived" advantage of lasix, etc.

Yes, because there isn't any factual scientific support. If there was, they'd quote it.

Secondly, this phrase stands out as the first sentence in their summary:

"High Risk".

When you know the high risks of eliminating lasix, against the advice of the veterinary medical community, and you acknowledge those risks as the first sentence in your summary conclusion - why are you persisting in trying to do so?

Again: racing has many problems with illegal medications. They need to be addressed. Furosemide, protecting athletic horses from lung damage, most certainly isn't one of them.

From the NY Times quoting the AJVR.
"The study, led by Dr. Corinne Raphel Sweeney and Dr. Lawrence R. Soma of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine, confirmed that improvement. The study found that horses ran an average of 0.48 seconds faster at a mile, roughly three lengths, when treated with Lasix - whether or not they had a bleeding condition. For older geldings, the improvement was as much as nine lengths. The study also found that over 60 percent of bleeders continued to bleed after being given Lasix."

http://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/08/sp...-evidence.html

Yes. I have posted that very study on Dee Tee several times. They are ignoring the parts of that study they don't like, however. And how about the other ones that contradict it?

Can't pick and choose. One has to acknowlege all the scientific evidence, in toto.

An avg. that is faster proves faster. Says nothing else and really doesn't need to. Distance and time are the discussion, not benefits and medicine.

True.

I suppose they could simply make lasix a 5lbs penalty in all races where base weight is 122lbs or less, instead of a 5lbs break in weight.

Making horses carry 131lbs to run on lasix in the Kentucky Derby or Belmont Stakes -- that wouldn't go over well with a lot of big-name trainers.

Give them lasix

I dont believe that this is significant. The half life of bute is short enough where it doesnt really matter when giving a shot 24 hours out. I race in different jurisdictions under both rules and the prerace protocol is the same.

:tro:

What a great Study that had to Be. Yep lasix makes them Faster. It has to make you laugh if you really believe that. Come on Folks Surely You see why this Study is absolutely Bogus. It is so easy to see I am Not even Going to tell you what it is.:D

We can't, it is on the banned substance list for human athletes.

Please, inform us ignorant ones.

Actually that isnt true

:tro:

Well, from two days ago:

"Earlier on Sunday, Uzbekistan's only gymnast at the Games, Luiza Galiulina, was temporarily suspended after her first sample came in positive for the drug Furosemide, often used as a masking agent for other banned substances."