<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 09.10.03.08" title_num="09" subtitle_num="10" chapter_num="03" heading="Bleeders.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The administration of Lasix to a horse is permissible, except as set forth in §A-1 of this regulation, if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The administration of Lasix is recommended by a practicing veterinarian;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The recommendation is submitted to the State Veterinarian in writing; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The trainer declares the use of Lasix at the time of entry.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="A-1.">
    <text>No 2-year-old thoroughbred horse or any thoroughbred horse scheduled to compete in a graded stakes race may be administered Lasix (furosemide) within 48 hours of the post time at which it is scheduled to run.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A Commission veterinarian is responsible for maintaining up-to-date records of horses which are permitted to use Lasix, and these records shall be available for inspection during the hours of operation of a race track.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>If a horse has been observed by a Commission veterinarian to have bled from at least one nostril during the running of a race or workout, either on the racing strip or in the barn area, that horse may not be permitted to race for a period of 14 days.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If a horse has been observed to have bled as described under §C of this regulation within 365 days of the first occurrence, that horse:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>May not race for 30 days after the first reoccurrence;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>May not race for 180 days after the second reoccurrence; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Is banned from racing forever after the third reoccurrence.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>For the purpose of counting the number of days a horse is not permitted to race in this State under this section, the day the horse bled is the first day, and the horse shall be permitted to race in this State when the last day has expired.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Race Day Administration of Lasix.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Unless a horse has been declared off of Lasix pursuant to §G of this regulation, a horse that is permitted to use Lasix shall be administered Lasix on the day of the race only by a veterinarian designated by the Commission to perform such a function.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>As indicated by post-race quantitation, a horse may not carry in its body at the time of the running of a race not more than 100 nanograms of Lasix per milliliter of plasma or serum.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Reports.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The veterinarian who administers Lasix to a horse scheduled to race shall prepare a written certification indicating that Lasix was administered.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The written certification shall be in the possession of a designated Commission representative at least 1 hour before the horse is scheduled to race.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The stewards or judges shall order a horse scratched if the written certification is not received in a timely manner.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Racing Off of Lasix.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Except for a horse that races in any jurisdiction where the rules of the regulatory authority or the conditions of the race established by the racing association do not permit the use of Lasix, a horse on the Lasix Program that races without Lasix in any jurisdiction which permits the use of Lasix may not be eligible for its use for a period of 60 days.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>To become eligible after 60 days, the horse shall have been observed to have bled by a Commission veterinarian either:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Externally; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>By endoscopic examination.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Program Notice.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Of the horses scheduled to race, the official program shall denote the horses which have been administered:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Lasix; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Lasix for the first time.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the official program contains past performance lines, each past performance line shall indicate if the horse was administered.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>