"The form can't be altered by changing the dosage anymore," said Ken Kirchner, executive director of the Pennsylvania Racing Commission.
"We've been assured by the scientists that we are adopting a policy that precludes Lasix from masking other drugs," Pennsylvania commissioner Russell B. Jones Jr. said.
Representatives from five states, including New York, Maryland and Delaware, began meeting almost a year ago in an attempt to develop a regional Lasix policy. Delaware likely will ratify the New Jersey-Pennsylvania rules shortly. New York's no-Lasix policy remains unchanged. Maryland, which appeared ready to join the regional coalition, adopted more liberal Lasix rules in March, allowing a maximum dose of 15cc. Many scientists suspect that the Maryland level can, in fact, mask other drugs in a horse's system.
"We're taking a small step," said Bruce Garland, executive director of the New Jersey Racing Commission. "We've become a laboratory for others to look at. We could have waited longer and tried to get other jurisdictions to join us. But we thought it important to show that we are trying to do something."
Clearly, the commissions have. Regional agreements on anything just don't happen. That it happened with something as controversial as Lasix makes what the commissions have done that much more commendable.
There was compromise involved. In Pennsylvania, 2-year-olds have not been eligible to use Lasix. In New Jersey, they have been. Now, they will be eligible for Lasix in both states, starting in 1992.
A horse placed on the Bleeders List won't be able to race for 10 days after bleeding the first time, 30 days the second time and 90 days the third time. Any four-time bleeder will be barred permanently.
