Lasix XI

The final anti-lasix argument I'm able to think of:

Integrity: This involves the lure of "medication free" racing. Sounds good to me. Seriously. Guessing the integrity argument involves the idea of racing without performance enhancers, avoiding turning our racing stock into veterinary pin cushions, and doing questionable and horrible practices to our horses. What's good for the horse and racing in general is to "get the drugs out of racing", huge vet bills, crooked vets in the pre-race stalls, carnival quality trainers applying performance enhancing substances to their stock, getting USA in line with "rest of world" etc.

Counterpoint: Integrity applied to racing would be a huge subject. Just a few thoughts as concept of integrity would apply to lasix and race day meds.

Cheating drug using owners-trainers without a doubt exist although I'd observe in our parts most of them have been drummed out of the sport by tight regulation. Does it surprise at all that in such formerly bush league tracks as Penn National, in the news this week, or the apparently loosely regulated Philadelphia Park have been magnets for this sort of individual. I keep reading about cheating with drugs in racing, and do wonder about the magnitude of the problem. Personally, I doubt its a large problem for the reason that although this ilk are in general fools and horse abusers that should be weeded out, it does take quite a low and nefarious IQ to put your training license and livelihood at risk for winning a single race. Logic would tell us that there are very few around racing for any length of time that would engage in such practices.

The question is what does lasix have to do with all of this? The answer involves nothing but mixing up the perception of performance enhancer use with horse meds. This might easily be sorted out for the general public by somebody getting a back bone and responding to the incessant crying of a few paranoid horse players that keep barking up this tree. Instead, we're talking about banning lasix. It's a side show to the real problem, if there is one.

In the end for me the question of "integrity" applied to lasix begins and ends with what is good for the horse. I'd have a modicum of respect for Stuart Janney and Ed Martin if they'd begin their analysis in that sense. But, it's otherwise. Have you heard any of the USA anti-lasixs begin their spiel with: Well, we've considered this, and what we think is best for horses is as follows.....

If this were the approach I'd be listening. For me in a much more graphic sense the integrity question was all wrapped up into watching that brave filly win one of the Jap Cups a year ago crossing the finish line with blood streaming out of her nose. The camera caught it perfectly.

The Stuart Janney's of course will figure it out true integrity on this Q. I am visualizing racing at Ellis Park in the summer heat and humidity without lasix. It is over the long haul integrity applied to the horse that will right this ship. Sum it up next post.

Training:
4 inches of rain over 2 days. Record breaking. Still tried to ride and failed due to another ridiculous confluence of events.