Racing Officials Say Federal Anti-Doping Bill Left in the Paddock

By DANIEL STEIN-SAYLES

The New York Racing Association board of directors on Thursday tepidly endorsed a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to develop a uniform anti-doping program.

The Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 or House Resolution 3084 was introduced in July 2015 by Congressman Garland Barr of Kentucky and would establish the Thoroughbred Horseracing Anti-Doping Authority as an independent, non-profit organization with jurisdiction over drug testing, enforcement, and other areas.

According to NYRA board vice chairman Michael Del Giudice the Executive Committee recommended supporting the federal legislation. Before the board voted to endorse the legislation a few members voiced their skepticism.

“What’s happening in DC is not going to happen. A lot of money is being spent on a divisive issue,” Richard Violette, an ex-officio board member said over the phone during the meeting. “It [the bill] has less than a 1 percent chance of getting introduced.”

Though he acknowledged that the vote by the board was basically a done deal, he added, “I think it is significantly wasted energy and money.”

Board member Leonard Riggo also offered lukewarm support: “I don’t think we have a choice but to support this at least as a gesture, however, I have no belief in it.”

Despite mixed support, Del Giudice called for a resolution to support the federal legislation, which passed. However, board member Marc Holliday chimed in at the last minute suggesting the stipulation that their support should come “at no significant cost to NYRA,” to which the board agreed.

The legislation is assigned to the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade subcommittee where it has seen no movement since it was introduced last year. If the bill is to progress in the legislative process it will have to be moved out of committee by Congressman Michael Burgess of Texas, who heads the subcommittee.

House Resolution 3084 has 24 cosponsors, 8 of which represent New York according to govtrack.us, a website that tracks legislation.