Furosemide 'Myths' Discussed at Convention

[andymays]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...-at-convention

Excerpt:

Dr. Steven Barker, chemist for the Louisiana State Racing Commission, sought to dispel what he called industry “myths” surrounding Salix. He said that contrary to some claims, Salix does not interfere with testing for other drugs when blood is tested; Salix isn’t performance-enhancing; Salix is effective in treating EIPH; and that it can’t be proven use of the drug is “denigrating” the Thoroughbred breed.

[Robert Goren]

The a lot bettors want it banned. The rest do not care one way or ther other. That should be enough to get it banned. Again the horsemen totally disregard the wishes of the bettors. Is it any wonder that the sport needs slot money to survive.

[Horseplayersbet.com]

Lasix is only used to mask drugs in Olympic events, not horse racing:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oly...ing-agent.html

[RXB]

Here's much of what you need to know about Dr. Steven Barker. I quote from a 2009 article:

“If people were using (Class 1 and Class 2 drugs) to influence the outcome of races, we’d find them (through testing),” Barker said. “This industry does not have a drug problem.”

From a different article a few years ago, he says that only .01% (1 in 10,000) of all samples tested in Louisiana came back positive for Class 1 and Class 2 substances.

Now, do the above statements match up with reality in the racing game? Has the proliferation of supertrainers during the past several years occurred without assistance from chemistry? Does 1/10,000 represent a clean sport or the behind-the-curve state of the testing procedures?

Barker is trotted out by the HBPA every time they want some pro-medication PR. No one with an opposing opinion was invited to speak on the issue.

[Horseplayersbet.com]

It is hard to get a positive when the lab isn't testing for what is being used.

[cj]

Originally Posted by Horseplayersbet.com

Lasix is only used to mask drugs in Olympic events, not horse racing:

Great line...as with most things, horse racing is clueless.

[Citation1947]

Even "chemists" for the Racing Commission can be gotten too. They are not above having their palms greased to look the other way. The whole industry is like that from top to bottom and has been for a very long time. On top of that, Louisiana has been known to be one of the most crookiest states in the country. So I dont have much faith in what some chemist there has to say.

[turninforhome10]

Would we as players ever supplement testing with more of a takeout and wait for getting our returns until testing clears?

[Tom]

Originally Posted by turninforhome10

Would we as players ever supplement testing with more of a takeout and wait for getting our returns until testing clears?

Absolutely NOT!
It is NOT our responsibility to run a clean game.
If we have to pay for it through take out, then the compromise is lifetime ban from racing for the second offense.

[classhandicapper]

Once someone suggests that Lasix is not a performance enhancer they lose all credibility with me. I immediately assume they are a mouth piece for owners that want to continue using it or haven't measured it properly. WAY too many horses move up significantly first time Lasix for me to believe I am observing random fluctuations of form that I am mistakenly attributing to Lasix.

[BillW]

It depends on your definition of performance enhancer. Do you consider a drug that a person takes that may prevent fatal consequences a performance enhancer? Certainly that person performs better alive than if he were dead! Obviously a horse can run better without the inconvenience of hemorrhaging in his lungs.

[cj]

Originally Posted by BillW

It depends on your definition of performance enhancer. Do you consider a drug that a person takes that may prevent fatal consequences a performance enhancer? Certainly that person performs better alive than if he were dead! Obviously a horse can run better without the inconvenience of hemorrhaging in his lungs.

Yes, but, lets look at this another way. Horses that debut without Lasix are among the worst bets in racing. Obviously, they haven't bled. Of course, neither have most of those that get it first time out either.

Do you think they are terrible bets because the majority bleed and don't run well, or because those getting it have some kind of edge?

[BillW]

Originally Posted by cj

Yes, but, lets look at this another way. Horses that debut without Lasix are among the worst bets in racing. Obviously, they haven't bled. Of course, neither have most of those that get it first time out either.

Do you think they are terrible bets because the majority bleed and don't run well, or because those getting it have some kind of edge?

I didn't say it wasn't over used. Obviously not every horse has bled in training prior to the first race but a majority of horses are bleeders (65% in an Australian study) and no doubt horses in training are among that population.

[FenceBored]

Personally, I'm intrigued by the last paragraph of the article.

Dr. Thomas Tobin, a professor at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center and medication adviser to the National HBPA, cited research indicating EIPH is more related to stride and its impact during races than exercise. He also said fluid reduction in horses helps them perform optimally. [emphasis added]

Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...#ixzz1jprCMpy5

It's more how they're running rather than that they're running?

[BillW]

Originally Posted by FenceBored

Personally, I'm intrigued by the last paragraph of the article.

Dr. Thomas Tobin, a professor at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center and medication adviser to the National HBPA, cited research indicating EIPH is more related to stride and its impact during races than exercise. He also said fluid reduction in horses helps them perform optimally. [emphasis added]

Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...#ixzz1jprCMpy5

It's more how they're running rather than that they're running?

I would imagine there are degrees of impact of EIPH. A horse shortens stride when getting tired. Part of getting tired is the expenditure of oxygen in the system. i.e. the less efficient the lungs are operating the faster a horse depletes his oxygen supply and gets tired.