It wouldn't be a complete Triple Crown season without...

[philcski]

A Bill Finley rant against Lasix.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/hor...ill&id=5206351

[philcski]

This should be in the Paddock obviously...

[VOL JACK]

I would be in favor of banning Lasix in all Grade 1 races.

[robfla]

Originally Posted by VOL JACK

I would be in favor of banning Lasix in all Grade 1 races.

That makes sense. Maybe the fields will go from 6 horses to 4 that way.

[Cannon Shell]

This is a complete embarrassment. The idea that Lasix is some evil drug that causes all these bad things to happen is based on foolishness. We heard about how evil steroids were. They were bad for horses, they were being abused, trainers were using them as a crutch, etc. Yet the elimination of anabolic steroids has done exactly what was predicted in terms of racing action on the track. Nothing. Absolutely nothing has changed. Handle has GONE DOWN! Field sizes haven't increased. The same trainers who were winning the big races before are still winning. The same trainers who were leading trainers are still leading trainers. Good horses are winning, bad horses are losing. It is a red herring. The evidence he presents is so ridiclous that it is hard to believe that he or anyone else can actually believe it.

Ken McPeak is a smart guy but he is way offbase in his assumptions presented in this article. I don't know trainer who believes that keeping horses hydrated is 90% of the battle. Keeping horses hydrated is pretty simple. Keeping horses sound is the main issue in training horses. Unsound horses bleed. Bleeding is a serious problem that doesnt have an easy solution. But just as morons like Finley who want to bury their heads in the sand about that fact and the fact that bleeders or an increase in horses bleeding will lead to more form reversals which further taint the sport, you wont hear them quote the S African study that proves Lasix does help prevent bleeding in racehorses. You know S. Africa, which I believe at last look isnt located in North America but in one of those supposedly clean hay, oats and water places.

The idea that the Triple Crown races would be full fields like they were 'back in the day" belies the truth that far more horses participate in the TC series now than they ever did. Just go to youtube and punch in 70's or 80's triple crown races and watch a few of the races. You can see for yourself.

You can get rid of Lasix and the game will go on. However...Trainers will be worse off. Owners will be worse off. Horses will be worse off. Sounds like a brilliant idea.