Race Day Medications Hiding Possible Trouble?
 

Randy Moss on espn just now brought up an intersting thought. He feels that all race day medications should be rid of and thus if a horse has a problem instead of it being hid by the medications it can be adressed natures way thus the trainer, etc can decide on scratching, etc..

He made it a point to say he did not think that was the case with Eight Belles. Is North America the only country that allows race day medications?

Something has got to be done. Before the Preakness and Belmont. To ensure horses are fit to run and are not on any enhancers or pain killers.

Exactly what enhancers or pain killers were allowed in the Derby???

Or maybe horses should be inspected by racing authorities on or about entry day (usually 2-4 days out) before pre-race medication is given but closer to the horse's last piece of "fast" work.

I've always thought this was correct. I hated when NYRA started allowing Lasix. The rest of the world has it right. The U.S. has it wrong. All of the drugs and the synthetic tracks are damaging our sport more than helping it by masking a lot of the problems that horses have. Fix the horses, not the tracks. Fix the horses, don't give them meds to hide the problems.

1. agree on your first paragraph, racing medications are a big problem
2. not so sure i agree on #2 on eight belles..and no other country allows the amounts and types of race day meds the u.s. does. its sickening really and the argument I would make if I was a PETA organizer.

What do you think about the testing that is done now? What specific drugs would you like added to the current list?

Part of the problem is again horse racing is state to state and not a national entity. That has to be the first step if you ask me, or you have what happened with NY and Lasix where their business was being hurt by not allowing the drug so they caved (if this is wrong feel free to correct me). If socal toughens up drug laws and ky doesn't all that is going to do is lessen the racing population there. If it was a national sport with a governing body like golf, which also deals with independent contractors, then maybe something could be done.

here,here!
the industry really has put the fun in dysfunctional.