The absence of race day Lasix at this year’s Kentucky Derby is not likely to silence the debate over the use of the medication. Lasix is a drug used to prevent respiratory bleeding in horses running at a high speed. It is also considered by some in the racing industry as performance enhancing because of its diuretic effect.
The use of Lasix on Saturday was prohibited. The drug had been used on Derby Day since the 1970’s. Racing Medication and Testing Consortium Director Mary Scollay said varying opinions about Lasix will continue to be expressed. “The people who are in support of the program are going to turn to this race and say ‘see it was great.’ And the people who are opposed to this policy are gonna say ‘it was only one race and it doesn’t tell us enough to change our minds.’ I think that’s where we are,” said Scollay.
Scollay says all entries in Derby 147 had experienced at least one prior run without race day Lasix. She doesn’t expect a change in policy regarding race day Lasix use in the 2022 Kentucky Derby.
Scollay previously served as the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission equine medical director. She noted the newly enacted federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act can lead to improvement in existing programs. Scollay said much of international racing standards are already found in U.S. racing.
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