TRA Endorses Broad Equine Medication Reform Policy

The TRA has endorsed a policy for equine medication reform supported by many industry stakeholders.
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The Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA) has endorsed a policy for medication reform supported by many industry stakeholders, but so far acted upon piecemeal in various jurisdictions.

The TRA, in a June 21 release that stemmed from its board of directors meeting in May, supports just about all the reforms put forth by industry organizations except a ban on race-day furosemide (Salix or Lasix).

Racetracks as a group have been silent on the phase-out or ban of Salix, but the TRA policy suggests that, for now at least, they have no appetite to support an end to using the anti-bleeding drug on race day. The TRA does support regulatory or third-party administration of the drug.

The racetrack trade group said the policy of safety measures is designed to ensure that "only sound horses compete in North American Thoroughbred races." The policy calls for use of fewer therapeutic medications (roughly 25 instead of 50), a stronger penalty structure for violators, and elimination of treatments that can threaten horses while racing

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Tom LaMarra, a native of New Jersey and graduate of Rutgers University, has been news editor at The Blood-Horse since 1998. After graduation he worked at newspapers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania as an editor and reporter with a focus on municipal government and politics. He also worked at Daily Racing Form and Thoroughbred Times before joining The Blood-Horse. LaMarra, who has lived in Lexington since 1994, has won various writing awards and was recognized with the Old Hilltop Award for outstanding coverage of the horse racing industry. He likes to spend some of his spare time handicapping races.

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