The Pennsylvania Racing Commission has adopted a new set of rules regarding the medication Lasix, which will soon be banned in all 2-year-old races and graded stakes. The rules, which were approved at a regularly scheduled commission meeting Tuesday, will go into effect June 1.
There are seven graded stakes races set to be run this year at Parx, including the GI Pennsylvania Derby and the GI Cotillion S.
“I thought that it was obvious that this was the right way to go because Lasix gets abused badly,” said Racing Commissioner Russell Jones, Jr. “There are horses on it that don't need to be on it. It's just 2-year-olds and graded stakes for now. One step at a time.”
Pennsylvania joins a growing list of states that have cracked down on the use of Lasix. For the first time in decades, it will not be allowed at any of this year's Triple Crown races.
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