"The movement to ban Lasix is being driven by “sportsmen” (i.e., those who don’t make their living in racing), and a group with a profit motive, commercial breeders, who also don’t make their living in racing."

That's spot on--great observation.

Racing in the UK, for example, where lasix is banned, is so different. It's more of an aristocratic thing. They'll have horses who cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, euros, etc. running for ridiculously small purses in maiden races. The equation doesn't work unless you are royalty or independently wealthy, It is such a different model than this country.