HISA board vote on race-day Lasix use set for May 22

An upcoming vote by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Board of Directors on the future of race-day Lasix was one of several topics discussed during a HISA question-and-answer forum April 22 at Laurel Park.

Under the federal law passed in late 2020, the nine-member HISA board must vote on future Lasix policy three years after the launch of HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program based upon various scientific research the board has commissioned. The vote is scheduled for May 22; the AMDC Program under the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit began operations on that date in 2023.

Every HISA-covered jurisdiction at the outset requested and was granted an exemption from a full Lasix ban. The current race-day Lasix regulation under HISA bans its use in all stakes and in races for 2-year-olds in states that are regulated by HISA.

HISA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lazarus at the Laurel forum said the board has options: maintain the status quo, ban all race-day use, or loosen the regulation. Whatever decision is made, the vote must be unanimous under the law.

“There has been a lot of thought and discussion on the issue,” Lazarus said. “The decision the board makes will be fair, balanced and well-explained. I’m pleased with how seriously the issue has been taken. I really think the industry will be comfortable where the board lands (on the matter).”

The research submitted has been combined into a final report. HISA board member Joe DeFrancis, whose family previously owned the major Thoroughbred tracks in Maryland, indicated the research was thorough.

"It is one of the best reports I’ve seen in my life,” he said. “Everyone (on the board) is acutely aware that the industry needs to be able to function and operate.”

In response to a question, Lazarus said the report will not be made public before the board vote but added: “The board knows and understands how the industry feels (about Lasix).”

In another matter, DeFrancis provided an update on the HISA Equine Recovery Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that is funding exclusively by donations. Its purpose is to provide funds for racehorse owners and trainers who may not have the financial resources to pay for expensive surgeries and procedures that may be needed to save a horse’s life.

“The goal is to encourage people to contribute to the foundation to save rather than euthanize horses,” said DeFrancis, who along with his wife, Katherine, provided the initial $100,000 startup donation.

Thus far, the foundation has assisted eight Thoroughbreds, all of which are recovering from surgery. The horses are promoted and updates provided on the foundation website (equinerecovery.org), but their Jockey Club-registered names are not revealed to protect the connections.

DeFrancis encouraged all owners, trainers and breeders to participate and said it is hoped that eventually the program will assist up to 100 horses per year.

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