The Lasix Solution A Cynics View Bad Optics The Lasix Generation

[richiebee]

The first time I heard the phrase \"bad optic\" it was uttered by then General
Manager of the New York Mets Sandy Alderson, who admitted that erstwhile Mets
slugger Yoenis Cespedis\' almost daily round of golf while said same outfielder
was not considered healthy enough to play baseball presented a \"bad optic\".

JB has mentioned the notion that a thoroughbred returning to be unsaddled after
a race bleeding profusely from the nostrils, with a good deal of blood winding
up splattered across the jockey\'s breeches, will present a bad optic. This
hypothetical equine JB references could conceivably be the winner of a major,
nationally televised race, increasing the impact and visibility of the bad
optic.

The proponents of Lasix will tell that almost all equines experience some
degree of internal hemorrhaging during exertion, a high octane way of saying if
you scope a runner after a workout or a race you will likely find some blood.
It sounds harmless, but some runners, with all the advances in veterinary
medicine, with all of the miracle supplements, will bleed the proverbial bucket
of blood.

I remember a night in the mid 1980s, Meadowlands Racetrack, during a time when
bleeding and bleeders were perceived a bit differently than now. A mare I lead
over bled profusely even though she had been treated with Lasix and Premarin, a
commonly used Lasix adjunct at the time. Mare, groom, jockey, jockeys valet
were all bloodied to some extent. The mare had \"bled through Lasix\" despite
the Premarin, the occasional pennies tossed in her water bucket, the rubber
bands wrapped tightly around the base of her tail. This was a warm early
October night at the Meadowlands, with a breeze coming from the South, from the
factories and refineries along the NJ Turnpike which one might see in the
opening sequence of \"The Sopranos\". I was upset, this mare was the star of our
humble barn, and our veterinarian tried to put things in perspective by saying
that the night had been a tough one, with nearly 1/4 of all the runners that
night having shown evidence of bleeding, many \"through Lasix\'. It\'s fair to say
that an ill, particularate laden wind was blowing from the South that evening.

The powers that be in their infinite knee jerk wisdom have decided to begin to
wean American racehorses off Lasix. I do not know how many \"generations\" we are
talking about, but to me the Lasix era began with the Alexander Harthill DVM
orchestrated treatment of Northern Dancer with a dose of Lasix prior to ND\'s
Derby win. Without that Derby win, the diminutive and infirm ND probably does
not become the 20th Century\'s most influential stallion, resulting in a hundreds
of millions of dollars cash infusion into the American breeding industry as a
result of European and Middle Eastern buyers developing a lust for the ND
bloodline. The Lasix era continued as more and more tracks permitted its use,
as the chemists found what PEDs were enhanced/masked by Lasix. It continued at
NYRA, where Oscar Barrera won at a ridiculous rate while using Lasix and went O
for a year when not using it.

Simultaneously with the development of a couple of generations of vets,
trainers and horses used to running and training on Lasix, it came to be
recognized that horses who raced on Lasix were knocked out afterwards and
needed jugs and electrolytes to bring Lasix runners back in form.

Since we are talking intervenous now, lets talk other invasive procedures like
tapping and injecting knees, ankles, stifles etc. Further into the century,
more chemical developments, more invasive procedures performed on young
specimens.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

I think that the racehorses and by extension the breeding stock of the next
generation should be weaned off Lasix gradually. I might not be privy to all
the information, and I guess its possible that the powers that be have found a
natural and/or dietary substitute for Lasix which will prevent bleeding.
Because a headlong rush into a bifurcated racing universe which features Lasix
permitted and Lasix restricted tracks, the result is rather predictable. The
keepers of the stud book will conduct racing at their Lasix free tracks with
small fields and runners who will (duh) bleed during training and racing. The
Lasix tracks will likely have large fields and handle a good deal of the
action. Just my clouded vision.

Instead of phasing out Lasix abruptly, work with a uniform reduced dose, check
the results and if feasible reduce the dose again. I\'m not a scientist, I don\'t
play one on TV, and I didn\'t sleep in a Holiday Inn last night. I haven\'t kept
current on all the possible science.

I read a lot about what could be done if more money were available. Research.
Competent testing with unassailable quality control, including split samples. A
searchable database of post race results etc, etc, etc, there\'s never any
money. Once again I suggest to Racing there is a rather steady potential source
of revenue: surcharge the wildly profitable pinhooks, alas, a topic for another
day.

Movie recommendation: Stumbled on the documentary \"The Last Race\" last night.
Its about a bush league stock car racing track on Long Island. The film was
released in 2018 and it is just very very good. Thank me later.

[moosepalm]

Richie, thank you for offering your usual erudition together with a soupçon of wit.  Once you mentioned the word \"science\" my mind went into operational shutdown, so I have nothing to add nor subtract from your musings.

On another sports-themed message board, I was prompted to do some research on the NCAA, which as an oversight organization rivals many of the most inept political and management entities regulating the racing industry.  I was somewhat surprised to learn that the impetus for its formation, in the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt, was the need to formulate a response to the growing prevalence of injuries and death in college football.  As the French say, \"plus ca change, plus c\'est la meme chose\" which loosely translated means, same $hit, different day.

Football and horse racing represent activities that require physical efforts that put people and animals at serious risk.  For good measure throw in boxing.  Regardless of all the love and attention that is given to our equine friends by many people in the business, the potential for \"bad optics\" of all sorts looms large every day.  It does no good to dismiss opposition as fanatics, regardless of the fanaticism of some.  

There is no easy fix to this, particularly since the fixing apparatus is the first thing that needs to be fixed.  But, my point is simply that it is sometimes useful to take a step outside of the cocoon, and view something we love through the eyes of those who might be indifferent to it, let alone those who would like to tear it to the ground.  There might be some benefit to offering \"good optics\" about the sport.  The animals are the objects of tremendous love and affection, and are generally recipients of care in their best interests.  In some of the hot button issues, there is room for compromise without feeling that the foundations of the sport are being threatened.  I personally have little use for either Kool-Aid avoidance or the steady stream of \"the end is near\" prophecies.  Like football, the sport has substantial vulnerabilities.  It would be nice to stay a step ahead of the carnage instead of always being two steps behind.

[Boscar Obarra]

We just had a couple of mountain climbers die and the other day a gymnast crippled herself by landing wrong. Any calls to ban those yet?

 Not sure if any E-sports fatalities yet, but I\'m sure that\'s coming.  

 Risk everywhere, the trick is to keep it acceptable.

[JimP]

Re bad optics: Based on what I see on TV, a little more blood might increase the appeal of the sport.

[Marlin]

I\'ve been scouting sites for a new Bull Fighting Arena, as certainly an uncaptured sports niche market & I\'m sure will be welcomed with open arms in ANY City USA.  I don\'t see ANY restrictions on any municipalities City written Zoning Ordinances regarding this sport, so should be a slam dunk.

[Fairmount1]

Comments from Romans and Glyshaw showing love for the gamblers...

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/horse-racing/2019/04/18/lasix-phased-out-racetracks-churchill-downs-keeneland-trainers-react/3507997002/

[albatross]

I’ve talked to big Dale a few times through mutuel friends, nothing more, but he gets it. I read an interview where he said how well he’s done and can barely read or write. From Operater, Breeder, Owner, Trainer, rider, or any talking head, not one even mentioned the driver of the engine, the player one time. Good for him, and Tim Glyshaw. Thanks for posting