NYRA to administer diuretic to horses
January 20, 2011NEW YORK (AP) - New York Racing Association veterinarians will begin administering Lasix to horses on race day starting Jan. 26.
Lasix is a diuretic used to treat pulmonary hemorrhaging in racehorses.
NYRA President Charles Hayward says Thursday the measure will eliminate the need for private vets to enter horses' stalls on race day. He calls it an ``important integrity measure.''
Last year, NYRA expanded its in-house drug testing program to detect illegal performance-enhancing substances. The association also ended operation of its security barn, allowing horses to be examined on race day in their own stalls.