McPeek: Graded stakes 'should be run without race day medication'

Edited Press Release
Photo: Eclipse Sportswire

Trainer Kenny McPeek, who's approaching 200 career stakes win and trains two top Kentucky Derby prospects in Signalman and Harvey Wallbanger, also won more races, 19, than any other trainer in 2018 with horses off Lasix.

McPeek, who serves on the Boards of the University of Kentucky's Agricultural Equine Program and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and is a member of the NYRA Equine Veterinary Medical Director Search Committee, pledged his support this week for the Water Hay Oats Alliance.

His statement to the WHOA reads:

 
"As a horseman who has been fortunate to participate in racing in many countries, I firmly believe we need to bring uniformity to American racing which will meet international standards. The world is getting smaller and we need to be a leader in clean sport and uniformity, not a follower. 
 
"I've had good success winning without Lasix, especially fillies like Daddys Lil Darling, Pure Fun, and Princess Warrior to name a few. I particularly feel strongly that the graded stakes we run in North America should be run without race day medication. Having trained lower quality horses early in my career and continuing to have claiming horses today, I recognize there are horses that need help. However at the upper levels of the sport we should be aware that these horses should be on a level playing field with the rest of the world horse industry.  
 

"Standards are set for many international jurisdictions and for our Graded Stakes to adapt would be something I wish to see one day sooner than later. WHOA is working to make that happen through the passage of the Horseracing Integrity Act and I'm in agreement that it is a worthy cause."

McPeek has joined hundreds of horsemen now in voicing support for WHOA, whose list includes, among others, the Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Graham Motion.

The Alliance is "a grassroots movement of like-minded individuals who support the passage of federal legislation to prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport of horse racing," according to its website. "The appointment of an independent anti-doping program run by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) will resolve the problem of widespread drug use in American racing and put U.S. racing jurisdictions in step with international standards."

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