HORSE RACING

• Big Brown's owner to reduce use of equine drugs

  
  

  Elmont, NY (Sports Network) - IEAH Stables, the majority owner of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown, has announced that effective October 1 of this year Lasix will be the only medication its racehorses will be given.

  "In an effort to re-build confidence and the integrity to the great sport of thoroughbred horse racing in North America, IEAH Stables is proud to announce effective October 1 all horses in training and racing in IEAH silks will run only with Lasix," the ownership group stated in a press release. "No other medication, drugs or steroids will be administered.

  "We believe this change is for the betterment of our sport," the announcement continued.

  "In the long run, it will benefit all involved in the game -- the tracks, horsemen and most of all the fans." Lasix, also known as furosemide, is a diuretic that is used in horses to reduce blood pressure and lessen the chance of bleeding in their lungs.

  During Big Brown's run through the Triple Crown series, it became known that trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.

  administered steroids to his horses once a month. Dutrow revealed that Big Brown did not receive an injection in May prior to the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

  06/23 11:36:40 ET