Virginia Law

A. Generally. Furosemide shall be the only medication permitted to be administered on race day and only to those horses eligible for furosemide treatment as designated by the bleeder list and furosemide list described in subsection B of this section.

B. Bleeder medications. By this regulation, the Virginia Racing Commission specifically permits the use of bleeder medications in only those horses that:

1. Have been placed on the bleeders list by the stewards;

2. Have raced on furosemide in another jurisdiction on the last previous start in a pari-mutuel race, as indicated by the past performance chart or by verification by the commission veterinarian from that racing jurisdiction, or both; or

3. Have been placed on the furosemide list by the stewards. A horse is eligible for inclusion on the furosemide list if the licensed trainer and a licensed veterinarian determine it is in the horse's best interest to race with furosemide, and the prescribed commission form is presented to the commission veterinarian prior to the close of entries for the horse's race. A horse placed on the furosemide list without demonstrating an episode of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage is not restricted from racing for the usual recovery period described in 11VAC10-180-85 D. However, any future episode of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage shall be considered a reoccurrence of bleeding for the purpose of determining restrictions from racing, as provided in this chapter.

a. A trainer or owner may discontinue the administration of furosemide to his racehorse only with the permission of the stewards. The request must be submitted in writing on forms prescribed by the commission and prior to entering the horse in a race.

b. A horse removed from the furosemide list may not be placed back on the furosemide list for a period of 60 calendar days unless the horse suffers an external bleeding incident witnessed by the commission veterinarian or his designee. In such case, the horse shall be placed on the bleeders list as though that bleeding incident was a reoccurrence of bleeding and subjected to a minimum 30-day or 90-day restriction for recovery as provided in this chapter.

C. Furosemide.

1. Procedures for usage. The use of furosemide on race day is permitted by the commission only in horses eligible to receive bleeder medications and under the following circumstances:

a. Furosemide shall be administered by a single dose intravenously no less than four hours, or three hours for a ship-in meet, prior to post time within the enclosure of the horse race facility by a veterinarian who shall be specifically designated by the commission to administer furosemide.

b. The furosemide dosage administered shall not exceed 6.0 ml (300 mg) and shall not be less than 3.0 ml (150 mg). At a ship-in meet, the minimum dosage shall be not less than 2.0 ml (100 mg).

c. The veterinarian administering the furosemide shall be an employee of the commission or otherwise observed by an employee of the commission who shall deliver a furosemide treatment report to the commission no later than two hours prior to post time. The furosemide treatment report shall contain the following:

(1) The trainer's name, date, horse's name, and horse's identification number;

(2) The time furosemide was administered to the horse;

(3) The dosage level administered for this race;

(4) The barn and stall number; and

(5) The signature of the veterinarian, who is a permit holder and is specifically designated by the commission to administer furosemide.

2. Furosemide quantification. Furosemide levels must not exceed 100 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) of serum or plasma and urine specific gravity measuring 1.010 or lower. If a urine sample is unavailable for specific gravity measurement, serum or plasma concentration may not exceed 100 nanograms per milliliter. Furosemide must be present in the serum or plasma or urine of any horse that has been designated in the program as being treated with furosemide.

D. Disciplinary actions.

1. For the first violation of the regulation pertaining to furosemide quantification (subdivision C 2 of this section), the stewards shall issue a written reprimand to the trainer and to the practicing veterinarian, if applicable.

2. For the second violation of the regulation pertaining to furosemide quantification (subdivision C 2 of this section), the stewards shall fine the trainer, practicing veterinarian, or both an amount not to exceed $500.

3. For the third violation of the regulation pertaining to furosemide quantification (subdivision C 2 of this section) within a 365-day period, the stewards shall suspend or fine the trainer, practicing veterinarian, or both not to exceed $1,000 and 15 days.

4. The stewards, in their discretion, may impose other more stringent disciplinary actions against trainers or other permit holders who violate the provisions under which furosemide is permitted by the commission, regardless of whether or not the same horse is involved.

E. Adjunct bleeder medications. The Virginia Racing Commission prohibits the use of bleeder adjunct medication on race day.

F. Program designation. The licensee shall be responsible for designating in the program those horses racing on furosemide. The designation shall also include those horses making their first start while racing on furosemide. In the event there is an error, the licensee shall be responsible for making an announcement to be made over the public address system and taking other means to correct the information published in the program.

G. Discontinue use of furosemide. A trainer or owner may discontinue the administration of furosemide to his horse only with the permission of the stewards and prior to entering the horse in a race.