To drug them or not to drug them still hangs on
The debate over the use of Lasix has resurfaced just before the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby that takes place on 5th May at Churchill Downs. The multiple benefits that the drug has are acknowledged by many such as preventing the bleeding during the
race when the horse is stressed and that the final impact of racing and training can be more certain and predictable however the fact that it is conflicting with quality breeding
“That was the best presentation on medication that I’ve heard in many years,” Foreman said. “Much of what Nick said I would agree with. That tone has been lacking in what I would call a very toxic environment right now.
“I represent horsemen, and in this environment, that gets dismissed immediately.
“In my thinking Lasix is a classic example of competing truths,” Keeneland president Nick Nicholson said. “And we are an industry that has difficulty with competing truths.”
“We can learn from a multi-pronged phase-in, and also find a better way to respect each others’ opinions (on the issue),” Nicholson said.
The pin stays stuck on the point that there are not sufficient votes for banning the drug and neither are the trainers, breeders and the rest of the connections letting the issue take its course, they are not satisfied with the status quo.
There are issues that pertain to the fact that the audience is no longer attracted to the fabricated form of the sport that has biased results as predetermined outcomes take the charm away. Many think that banning the drug will lead to the crowds heading
back to the race courses but then again how many of them are really aware of the ling-term impact of letting it go or worse, holding on to it.
When horse racing is the only sport that regulates medication then how can the industry still stay stuck at the issue that was brought under consideration some ten years back. Since then resolutions have been passed on and off but the final verdict is still
missing.
The industry is depriving itself of the credit that it has earned over the uncountable years and is getting alleged of issues that reflect adversely and negatively of the endless efforts.