The Maryland Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee has approved the Maryland Racing Commission's emergency regulation that will facilitate Lasix-free 2-year-old races, it was announced Sunday evening. No races for juveniles have been held in Maryland this year due to a stalemate between the state's racing factions over the use of the anti-bleeder medication. It was announced on July 16 that The Maryland Jockey Club, The Stronach Group and the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association had reached an agreement for a Lasix-free pilot program through 2023.
While no 2-year-old races are listed in the current Laurel Park condition book, Maryland Jockey Club President Sal Sinatra said there would be two extra races offered for Friday, Aug. 7: a Lasix-free 2-year-old maiden special weight and Lasix-free 2-year-old maiden special weight for fillies, both at five furlongs.
Relatedly, the MRC Equine Safety, Health and Welfare Advisory Committee July 31 authorized a veterinary survey study of all 2-year-olds that race in Maryland through Dec. 31 of 2020. The objective of the study is to track the incidence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in 2-year-olds racing without Lasix using video scopes.
The emergency regulation was approved for the standard six-month period, from July 31, 2020 through Jan. 26, 2021.
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