Plan to Introduce Federal Legislation Revealed

TB Daily News

The Thoroughbred Horse Racing Anti-Doping Act of 2015, which would establish uniform standards for drugs and medication in the Thoroughbred racing industry and turn regulation over to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), will be introduced in the next few weeks, according to Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY). The news was released in a press release on the Congressman’s website Friday morning.

The move was supported by Breeders’ Cup Ltd., and The Jockey Club, as well as The Humane Society of the United Stakes and the Water Hay Oats Alliance.

The planned legislation would grant independent authority over rule-making, testing and enforcement oversight regarding drugs and medication to an entity created by the non-profit, non-governmental USADA.

“While the nation’s sporting spotlight will be on American Pharoah and Belmont Park in the coming days, the Thoroughbred industry is a year-round enterprise–responsible for a large number of quality jobs and economic growth not only in New York’s Capital Region, but throughout the country,” Tonko said in a statement. “The racing industry has taken significant steps toward medication reform in the past several years, and this legislation will build on that progress by providing a uniform, national solution that sets the highest standards of independence, fairness and integrity–ensuring the future health of the sport and protecting thousands of jobs across the country.”

USADA CEO Travis Tygart was quick to commend the move.

“The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency applauds Congressman Paul Tonko for committing his time and energy to help create a uniform, independent, and meaningful anti-doping program for Thoroughbred horse racing through the Thoroughbred Horse Racing Anti-Doping Act of 2015,” said Tygart in a statement on the USADA website. “Along with The Jockey Club, the Breeders’ Cup, WHOA, the Humane Society, and others in the industry, USADA supports this piece of legislation. It is our hope that the model of independence, harmonization, and enforcement of robust anti-doping programs envisioned through this legislation can be realized to finally truly protect the health of the athletes and the integrity of the competition.”

The release from Tonko’s office said that the legislation would not create an ongoing role for the federal government in horse racing and that the funds to establish and administer the anti-doping program would be entirely paid by the industry, and not by taxpayers.

Tonko represents New York’s 20th Congressional District, which includes Saratoga Springs, and is the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Horse Caucus.

“There is much at stake, with the Thoroughbred industry contributing $25 billion to the U.S. economy annually and nearly 400,000 jobs, including many in the Saratoga Springs area that I represent.

“I plan to introduce this legislation in the coming weeks, and encourage all members of the House who care about horse racing’s future, as well as the importance of clean competition, to join me as co-sponsors of this critically important legislation,” Tonko said in the release.