Beginning with the upcoming Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields winter/spring meets, California became the latest state banning the use of Lasix (furosemide) in the majority of stakes races. The ban starts Jan. 1, 2021.
On Dec. 17 the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) unanimously approved the terms of the medication agreement between the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) and management of Santa Anita, Golden Gate Fields and Del Mar.
The drug, however, may be used in California-bred stakes races for 4-year-olds and up as long as the TOC and the host track for that stakes race agree in writing to the exception.