{Frankfort, Kentucky}...During a public hearing Tuesday in Frankfort, thoroughbred owners and trainers voiced their warnings about the potential of blood spurting from horses' noses if the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission institutes a race-day ban on the anti-bleeding drug furosemide. Several veterinarians voiced similar warnings, saying the ban would endanger not just horses but also jockeys who could be hurt if the animals suffer pulmonary hemorrhages and collapse during races. The proposal would phase out race-day use of furosemide in graded or listed stakes races, including the Kentucky Derby. If approved, Kentucky would be the first state to take action against the drug, which is banned internationally. Furosemide is marketed as Lasix and Salix and is the only medication allowed to be given to horses on race day in the U.S. A June 13th meeting is scheduled in which the panel will consider a proposal to phase out the use of the drug on certain race days.
