Lasix will continue to be allowed at the current year-round Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association meeting as well as during the upcoming Los Alamitos Racing Association Summer Thoroughbred Meet opening on Thursday, June 27, according to a statement published early Saturday morning by Ed Allred.
Allred is the day-to-day manager of the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association meet and overseer of the Thoroughbred race meets.
“I believe that the continued use of Lasix is in the best interest of the horses and as such is a major contributor to the safety of the industry's human and equine athlete. I shudder to think of the consequences to racehorses and their riders if Lasix was banned,” said Allred in the statement.
Allred's statement was made in response to Thursday's announcement that Lasix will be banned at California racetracks owned by The Stronach Group.
“Los Alamitos Race Course will review the reforms suggested by The Stronach Group with other stakeholders in the industry, including owners, trainers, jockeys, regulators and other track operators. Obviously everyone is interested in making those reforms that will contribute in making the sport of racing better for everyone, including the wagering public,” Allred said.
The Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association is currently conducting a Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred meet through Sunday, December 15. The track also operates three separate daytime meets totaling eight-weeks of major Southern California Thoroughbred racing in 2019. Its 12-day Summer Thoroughbred meet will open on Thursday, June 27 through Sunday, July 14. In addition, Los Alamitos Race Course is home of the three-week LA County Fair Meet in September and it also hosts two weeks of Thoroughbred racing in December.
Since 2015, the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association meet has had a zero-tolerance policy against Clenbuterol, Albuterol, Zilpaterol and similar B2-agonists and conducts hair testing prior to major Quarter Horse stakes races, the press release read.
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