Carmine Donofrio, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board steward. The NYSRWB is conducting an investigation into the situation, Donofrio said.

Summer Sunset had not received Lasix in any of his four previous starts, including the previous two made in New York. Bettors use first-time Lasix as a key handicapping angle. Summer Sunset, who was beaten 50 3/4 lengths in an overnight stakes at Aqueduct in his race previous to Dec. 29, also wore blinkers for the first time in that race. He returned $11 for a $2 win wager.

Summer Sunset was trained by Karl Grusmark for owner Paul Braverman for that Dec. 29 race. He was claimed out of the race by trainer Dominic Galluscio for owner Francis Paolangeli. Galluscio said he was given the option ofrace, the mistake was not caught in time.

According to NYRA officials, the time frame for administering the Lasix is such that the veterinarians cannot meet until after the second race on a race day. The last post on an Aqueduct weekday card is 4:15 p.m., meaning horses cannot receive Lasix until 11:45 a.m. at the earliest. Many of the horses who race at Aqueduct are stabled at Belmont Park. Following the administration of Lasix, the vets have to drive to Aqueduct.

According to NYRA officials, since January 2011, there have been three instances in which a horse was scheduled to receive Lasix but was mistakenly not given the medication. In all three instances – each occurring in a race later than the second one on the card – the