Thoroughbred Racing Commission
Statutory Authority: 3 Delaware Code,Section 10103 (3 Del.C. 10103)
Bleeder Medication, Rule 15.02
The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission proposes to amend the Commission’s existing Regulations. The Commission proposes these amendments pursuant to 3 Del.C. §10103 and §10128.
The Commission proposes two rule amendments which are summarized below:
1. Amend Rule 10.04 and Rule 15.02(f) to amend the restrictions for when bleeding horses may race. Under the proposed rules, a horse that bleeds for a third time will no longer be barred from further racing but will instead be barred for a ninety (90) day period. A horse that bleeds for the fourth time will be barred from further racing except under limited circumstances when the bleeding incidents occur outside of a twelve month period.
Copies of the existing regulations and proposed regulations as amended may be obtained by the public from the Commission’s Office, 2320 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901; phone (302) 739-4811. The Commission will accept written comments from the public from September 1, 1999 through September 30, 1999. A public hearing will be held at Delaware Park, 777 Delaware Park Blvd., Stanton, DE on September 28, 1999, at 10:00 a.m.
Rule 10.04 Bleeders
Any horse known to have bled from its nostrils during a race or workout may not be entered or raced without the prior approval for racing by Licensee’s Veterinarian. A horse which bled for the first time shall not be permitted to run for a period of ten (10) calendar days. A horse which bleeds a second time shall not be permitted to run for sixty (60) thirty (30) calendar days. A horse which bleeds a third time will be barred from further racing in the State of Delaware shall not be permitted to run for ninety (90) days. A horse which bleeds a fourth time shall be barred from further racing in the State of Delaware, except that if a horse’s fourth bleeding incident occurs within one year of the first bleeding incident, then the horse shall not be barred but shall not be permitted to run for one year. If a horse has bled three times but at least twelve months have passed since the last bleeding incident, then if the horse bleeds for a fourth time the horse shall not be permitted to run for twelve (12) months, and any further bleeding incidents will prevent the horse from racing for another twelve (12) month period. (A positive endoscopic examination shall be classed as a first time bleeder). See Rule 15.02 Bleeder Medication.
Rule 15.02 Bleeder Medication
Notwithstanding anything in the Rules of Racing to the contrary, the Stewards may permit the administration of Furosemide (Lasix) to control epistaxis (bleeding) to horses under the following conditions:
(a) A horse which, during a race or workout at a duly licensed race track in this State or within the first hour immediately following such a race or workout, is observed by the Licensee’s Veterinarian or the Stewards to be shedding blood from one or both nostrils or is found to have bled internally. (An endoscopic examination of the horse, in order to confirm bleeding, may be performed by the practicing veterinarian in the presence of the Licensee’s Veterinarian at the detention barn within one (1) hour of workout or race.)
(b) A horse which has been certified as a bleeder in another jurisdiction may be placed on the bleeder list provided that the other jurisdiction qualified it as a bleeder using criteria satisfactory to the Licensee’s Veterinarian and the Stewards. It shall be the absolute responsibility of the Trainer to report bleeders from other jurisdictions to the Licensee’s Veterinarian or Stewards on official forms from that State prior to entry.
(c) The Licensee’s Veterinarian shall be responsible to maintain an up-to-date “bleeder” list and the list shall be available in the Racing Secretary’s office.
(d) A horse in the Bleeder Program shall be required to be brought to a detention barn designated by the Licensee and approved by the Commission not later than three and one-half (3 ½) hours before post time for the race in which it is entered and shall remain in said detention barn (in its assigned stall) until called to the paddock prior to post time. During the 3 ½ hour period, the horse shall be under the care and custody of a groom or caretaker appointed by the Trainer. The approved Furosemide medication may be administered by a licensed practicing veterinarian in the detention barn within three (3) hours before post time. The practicing veterinarian shall make a report to the Stewards of the treatment on forms provided by the Stewards on the same day of treatment.
(e) (repealed).
(f) A horse which bled for the first time shall not be permitted to run for a period of ten (10) calendar days. A horse which bleeds a second time shall not be permitted to run for sixty (60) thirty (30) calendar days. A horse which bleeds a third time will be barred from further racing in the State of Delaware shall not be permitted to run for ninety (90) days. A horse which bleeds a fourth time shall be barred from further racing in the State of Delaware, except that if a horse’s fourth bleeding incident occurs within one year of the first bleeding incident, then the horse shall not be barred but shall not be permitted to run for one year. If a horse has bled three times but at least twelve months have passed since the last bleeding incident, then if the horse bleeds for a fourth time, the horse shall not be permitted to run for twelve (12) months, and any further bleeding incidents will prevent the horse from racing for another twelve (12) month period. A positive endoscopic examination shall be classed as a first time bleeder.