Updated.
We hope you got to watch or listen to the Subcommittee Hearing just conducted on the Horseracing Integrity Act (H.R.1754), chaired by Congresswoman Janice D. Schakowsky.
The Hearing began at 10:30 a.m. and concluded at 12:45 p.m.
It was riveting, demonstrating how far apart most of racing is regarding the state of its industry. This is how racehorses continue to be compromised and killed on U.S. racetracks, competing and in training.
Watch
The Hearing is already available on YouTube.
Witness Statements
Here are the written statements from each of the witnesses which were read into the record at the start of the Hearing in pdf format.
Dr. Kathleen M. Anderson
Equine Veterinarian
Joseph A. De Francis
Chairman
National Horseracing Advisory Council of the Humane Society of the United States
Dennis A. Drazin
Chairman and CEO
Darby Development
Operator
Monmouth Park Racetrack
Marty Irby
Executive Director
Animal Wellness Action
William M. Lear, Jr.
Vice Chairman
The Jockey Club
Edward J. Martin
President and CEO
Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc.
Christopher J. McCarron
Hall of Fame Jockey, Retired
Most of the discussion was focused on and by Thoroughbred racing, but this legislation includes Quarter Horse and Standardbred racing.
What are your thoughts? Too little too late? Can it be reformed and the industry saved? Or should it all just go away?
A recurring theme is how the industry’s handle (the amount bet) has declined and continues to decline. In other words they are losing betting customers. You see, gambling is the backbone of the industry; what feeds it — keeps it alive.
FEATURED IMAGE: Horses jump out the gate at Del Mar racetrack in California. Unattributed Google search result.
Tuesday's Horse 
That’s good news about Chris McCarron – a few years ago he spoke out about the use of the whip, good on him!
LikeLike
I watched about half the testimony and the witnesses testifying just reconfirmed why racing is in big trouble. Dr. Anderson defended Lasix as did the gentleman affiliated with Monmouth yet BOTH stated that 94% of the horses running don’t need the drug. One of the bright spots was Chris McCarron. He believes in hay, oats and water and was extremely credible.
LikeLike
Totally agree Mary. Chris was a star. You could see his love for the horses and concern for the jockeys. It is also highly immoral to endanger their lives.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good news about Chris McCarron – a few years ago he spoke out about the use of the whip, good on him!
LikeLike
Yet to read the testimonies and watch the video. It will be interesting to see if this Horseracing Integrity Act passes and becomes national USA legislation. If it does and is properly policed, then I hope it benefits the horse insofar as the medication/doping/drugging is concerned but as we know, there are many other serious and unacceptable animal welfare issues in the horse racing industry. And it seems nothing is being done about that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are running scared. And they still want to self police. Churchill Downs is not interested so it will not go very far. We are grateful for this Hearing to watch their discomfort as they show who they are and what is really important. Only a few seemed genuinely interested in the horses themselves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I’ve understood correctly, why does Churchill Downs have so much power ?
LikeLike
They have so much clout in one instance because of its historic Churchill Downs and their running of the first jewel of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby. Plus they have considerable political power by whom they own in Washington DC. Then there are their huge gambling concerns, converting racecourses into ‘racinos’. It’s far reaching and complicated as you can see. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
LikeLike