California moves to limit use of drugs and whips in horse racing

Source: Reuters

SPORTS NEWS MARCH 28, 2019 / 7:14 PM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

California moves to limit use of drugs and whips

Rory Carroll
2 MIN READ

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - California horse racing authorities on Thursday took steps to limit the use of medications and whips in competitions, moves that come following the death of 22 horses at the famous Santa Anita track this year.

One rule approved by the California Horse Racing Board would curtail the use of Lasix, a race-day drug used to treat bleeding in the lungs of horses, which can occur during extreme exercise.

The board also voted to limit the use of whips, known in horse racing circles as “riding crops”, despite objections from jockeys.

Jockeys would still carry whips during races but would only use them for safety purposes, not to make the horses run faster.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-horseracing-santaanita/california-moves-to-limit-use-of-drugs-and-whips-idUSKCN1R92VW