The new measures include a race-day ban on Lasix, a diuretic used to ease breathing and lessen the chances of bleeding from the lungs. Almost every country outside the U.S. bans its use on race day. According to the Jockey Club, only 3.6% of the almost 300,000 starts last year were made without Lasix.
John Sadler, trainer of last year’s Eclipse Award and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Accelerate, fears a lot of horses will leave California if they can’t use Lasix. Sadler, and other trainers belonging to the California Thoroughbred Trainers, will be meeting at Santa Anita late this morning to discuss the latest changes. The Thoroughbred Owners of California plans a conference call on Saturday afternoon.
“This stuff is so new, I don’t know how it will be implemented or when,” Sadler said. “[Management] has to have some serious discussions on their side. They’ve carded 13 races for the Santa Anita Derby [on April 6]. You have to cut back the number of races and race dates, all those things. … This kind of make-it-up-as-you-go-along doesn’t make sense.”
While resentment is high among the trainers, most are reluctant to speak publicly until either they get answers or the situation plays out further.One rule that seems to already have been implemented is forbidding the use of a riding crop to urge horses unless it’s required for safety. The entrance to the stretch now has a sign, in both English and Spanish, that says “USE OF CROPS FOR SAFETY PURPOSES ONLY. NO STRIKING ALLOWED.”
Gambling and Horse Killings is back on folks. Make your bets...oh...not on the winner, but what Horse is going to Drop Dead First!😉
For the safety of the equines, that place must CLOSE! I witnessed a horse wipe out so bad during a race it had to be put down. The jockey? Who knows. It's was a horrific visual I'll never forget. 😪 Haven't seen a horse race since, not even on TV.