Subject: Lasix
I am shocked that the SBOA would oppose the request we made to ban Lasix in two year old races in 2020 and 2021 and in the Meadowlands Pace in 2021. As you know, only seven two year olds raced with Lasix last year and the Hambletonian has been raced withoutLasix since the beginning. With racing under siege because of the deaths at Santa Anita and the fact that almost all of the major thoroughbreds have adopted much stiffer requirements other than Monmouth we would think that the horsemen would view this asa gesture on our part to the public to show that the health of the horses is a vital concern. By opposing this essentially we are doing just the opposite which is a very risky strategy. I am quite certain that by next year the Federal Government will havetaken over because the current system is not working as your members are well aware. Hopefully the opposition is not because your members are using Lasix to mask other drugs but it seems very strange that the SBOA would oppose this. It is not my intent toadvocate the banning of Lasix for overnight racing I just want to make a statement that we do feel strongly about the fact that our horses should be protected. If I am unable to persuade the SBOA to drop their opposition it would be my intention to cancelthe Kindergarten Classic next year along with the Meadowlands Pace in 2021. I think we should be working together and not fighting with each other and I really am disappointed that the SBOA does not understand how critical this issue is from a public relationsstandpoi nt. There are far more animal lovers in America than there are horse racing enthusiasts especially now that they see the catastrophic death rate in the thoroughbred game.
Jeffrey Gural
Chairman
