|
|
» 1A » Sports » City | Region » Business Monday » Health | Family » Communities » Free Time » Weekender » Faith | Values » Inside | Out » A la carte » Arts + Life |
Week In Pictures
 |
 |
|
Buy Herald-Leader photos Visit HL Photo.com Slide shows, videos UK sports photos Horse racing photo |
|
|
 |
Top Thoroughbred racing figures -- including the trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown -- will answer questions next week in Washington on horse deaths, drugs and the industry's "special status" regarding gambling.
The congressional subcommittee is waving a big federal stick to get racing's attention.
"Given the unique benefits of the Interstate Horseracing Act to the racing industry, the hearing will play an oversight role in determining whether the special status of the sport under federal law is still warranted," according to the release announcing the hearing on June 19.
The IHA allows off-track betting, which has evolved into simulcasting and advance-deposit wagering. In 2007, almost 90 percent of all $15.4 billion bet on Thoroughbred racing came from simulcasting. Only about 10 percent actually was bet at the track on live races.
"Obviously, we want to protect that," said Kevin Flanery, vice president of Churchill Downs Inc., on Wednesday. "That's something that's very good for Kentucky."
The Interstate Horse Racing Act is virtually the only federal regulation of racing; medication, testing, and even betting are regulated by individual states.
Lawmakers want to hear from top veterinary researchers, breeders and trainers, including Big Brown's trainer, Rick Dutrow.
Dutrow backs the use of anabolic steroids such as Winstrol, which he gave to Big Brown before the Derby.
The drugs are legal for use in many states including Kentucky, Maryland and New York, where the Triple Crown races are run. However, they are illegal overseas and there has long been a move to ban them in the United States as well.
"If they tell me you can no longer use them, I'll stop using them," Dutrow said before the Preakness.
According to Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, that is likely to happen.
"This industry understands that the time has come and I am confident that steroids' days are numbered in the game," Waldrop said on Sunday.
Arthur Hancock, known as a "hay, oats and water" man and owner of Stone Farm in Paris, also plans to speak out against steroids.
"I'll speak my mind," said Hancock, breeder of Derby and Preakness winner Sunday Silence.
The spotlight comes in the wake of Eight Belles' fatal breakdown in the Derby. The filly was not given steroids, according to her trainer, Larry Jones.
Public scrutiny already was heightened by Barbaro's eventually fatal injury in the 2006 Preakness, and George Washington's death in the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic.
According to the press announcement, the hearing will look at "commercial breeding practices that emphasize speed and precocity over durability, the prevalence of performance enhancing drugs and other medications, track surfaces, and maintenance of the tracks."
Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Hopkinsville, is the ranking minority member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, which is holding the hearing.
Whitfield could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Whitfield and Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., sent letters on May 22 requesting information from The Jockey Club, Magna Entertainment, the New York Racing Association, Racing Commissioners International and Churchill Downs.
Entitled "Breeding, Drugs and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse," the hearing will begin at 10 a.m. Audio webcast will be available from the committee's Web site: http://energycommerce. house.gov.
The witness list includes:
• Alan Marzelli, president and COO of The Jockey Club.
• Richard Shapiro, chairman of the California Horse Racing Board.
• Arthur Hancock, owner of Stone Farm in Paris.
• Jess Jackson, owner of Stonestreet Farms in Versailles, Kendall-Jackson Winery and Horse of the Year Curlin.
• Randy Moss, ESPN analyst.
• Jack Van Berg, Hall of Fame trainer of Alysheba.
• Rick Dutrow, trainer of Big Brown.
• Dr. Sue Stover, University of California-Davis veterinarian.
• Dr. Larry Soma, University of Pennsylvania veterinarian.
• Dr. Mary Scollay, new Kentucky Horse Racing Authority medical director.
• Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, Colorado State University veterinarian.
• Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.
The Herald-Leader is pleased to provide this opportunity for readers to comment on stories and issues. However, we urge readers to avoid personal attacks or inappropriate remarks in their postings. Some of the comments may be reprinted in the newspaper. The views expressed here are not those of the Herald-Leader or its staff. Registered user names are posted for comments.
Letters from House Energy and Commerce Committee to top thoroughbred racing figures (PDF)