Horse-race industry debates race-day diuretic ban

Four hours before post time, nearly every thoroughbred about to race in the United States gets a shot of a diuretic best known by its human brand name, Lasix.

The drug prevents or limits bleeding in a horse’s lungs and breathing passages when they run all-out. But it also triggers horses to lighten their load by leaving behind several pounds of urine before breaking from the starting gate. That, combined with its widespread use, suggests it’s being abused as a performance enhancer, according to its opponents. Read More…