The Stronach Group & Santa Anita Park proposed, and the California Racing Board (CHRB) approved, substantial regulatory changes to promote the welfare and safety of the horse.
Recent Medication Reforms Adopted & Enforced by CHRB and Santa Anita Park
• Strict limitations on the use of any pain or anti-inflammatory medication and treatment, including legal therapeutic NSAIDS, joint injections, shockwave therapy, and anabolic steroids.
• No therapeutic medications or treatments will be allowed without a qualified veterinary diagnosis from a state-licensed veterinarian.
• Horses race without race-day medication, with the exception of Lasix which is now a maximum of 50% of the previous levels (early 2019). Furthermore, two-year-old horses will race medication-free (including Lasix). All Graded Stakes races and the majority of the remaining stakes races are run without race day medication. The ultimate goal of 1/ST Racing is to prohibit all race-day medications consistent with international racing standards.
• Significant and strict out-of-competition testing.