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Drugs in Thoroughbred RacingKentucky Senator Says No Feds No Subcommittee in Racing HearingsKentucky Senator Damon Thayer used fire and brimstone last month to criticize the federal government's involvement in hearings on the use of drugs at Thoroughbred tracks.
As Congressional hearings looking at drug use and safety in the Thoroughbred racing industry continued in June, Senator Thayer said he saw no point to the federal government's convening of a Congressional house subcommittee hearing on horse racing practices. The national Racetrack Medication and Testing Consortium had already drafted legislation to curtail a lack of steroid and drug regulations within the industry, Senator Thayer pointed out (The Blood-Horse, June 21; "Churchill Fined In Derby Starting Gate Case") during the June meeting of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority. The Kentucky Senator, who also serves on the KHRA's Equine Drug Advisory Council, said he saw no need for the federal government to take on an overseer position concerning drugs in the Thoroughbred industry. It should be a state issue, he claimed. Churchill Downs Starting Gate DecisionThe main determination of the June meeting centered on action to settle a disagreement between Churchill Downs officials and the KHRA over the presence of Clinton Beck as an assistant starter at the Kentucky Derby. Beck was hired specifically to load Pyro into the starting gate by request of Pyro trainer Steve Asmussen. Track officials approved the request. The KHRA determined that Beck's hiring was not within "regulations and procedure" that pertains to "use of an assistant starter". No individuals were fined, or punished thus far. Asmussen and Beck will testify at a later meeting. The Churchill Downs corporation, in the meantime, agreed to pay a penalty of $15,000 for allowing the hiring. Lavin Named Chair of Welfare and SafetyKHRA chairman Robert M. Beck, Jr. announced Elizabeth Lavin as the chairperson for the state's welfare and safety committee.. The committee was formed after the death of filly Eight Belles at the finish of this year's Kentucky Derby. High Profile Racing Personal to SpeakA high profile list of analysts, trainers, owners, veterinarians and horse racing personnel were scheduled to appear at the federal hearings. They included ESPN's Randy Moss, Horse of the Year Curlin majority owner Jess Jackson, Big Brown trainer Richard Dutrow, Jr. and Alex Waldrop, NHRA president, among others. The committee has an investigtion agenda that includes determining whether or not horse racing should remain under non-regulatory status implied by the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978; the governng of issues such as breeding practices that emphasize speed over strength and stamina; performance-enhancing drugs and medications; track surfaces and their safety capabilities; and track maintenance. Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse SummitExecutive vice president of The Jockey Club Dan Fick said the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit has several off-shoot committees at work on creating systematic reports on track maintenance and testing of surfaces in regards to safety. Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective AssociationThe National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has scheduled a July 18 study to consider the health and welfare of its Thoroughbred athletes. No member of a horsemen's organization was named to speak at the June 19 Congressional House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection hearings on horse racing.
The copyright of the article Drugs in Thoroughbred Racing in How to Race Horses is owned by BarbaraAnne Helberg. Permission to republish Drugs in Thoroughbred Racing in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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