Gary West of the Star-Telegram writes that a congressional subcommittee has conducted an inquiry into “Breeding, Drugs and Breakdowns” in the sport of horse racing.
In her opening comments, Illinois congresswoman Jan Schakowsky said, “It seems greed has trumped the health of horses, the safety of jockeys and the integrity of the sport.”
Some might point out that not every segment of the industry was represented. Nobody was there Thursday, for example, representing the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association or the Association of Racing Commissioners International. Most of all, nobody was there to represent the typical horseman who spends so much of his time and resources caring for his horses as though they’re part of his family.
And some might wonder why the Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the House of Representatives was spending its time on such things. But it would be a mistake not to answer the wake-up call.
“We want you to regulate yourself,” Rep. Stearns said, as if addressing everybody connected to the sport. And the implication was clear: If horse racing doesn’t address its problems, if it doesn’t regulate itself, then government will.
My initial reaction to seeing this was doesn’t congress have better things to worry about? But these horses aren’t making a conscious decision to use steroids and other drugs – humans are making those decisions for them. So maybe it is worth it for congress to step in and take a look at what’s going on in the underworld of horse racing, especially if these animals’ health is in danger.
