Citing lack of financial information outlined in its framework, the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (DTRC) unanimously voted Oct. 14 to oppose U.S. Senate Bill 4547, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version (HR 1754) Sept. 29 by a voice vote. The Delaware Harness Racing Commission (DHRC) has also come out in opposition of the pending legislation, claiming the bill is an “unnecessary burden that could be potentially harmful to the entire horseracing industry.”
According to a release, the DTHC claims that unknown costs will be “detrimental” to an industry where profit margins are slim to begin with and that the addition of an extra layer of governmental oversight will fuel an increase in costs.
The DTHC also says in its release that they believe that the governing body established by HISA would not necessarily include individuals with experience in Thoroughbred racing and the control of the drugs used in the business.
The DTHC points out that while they find the standardization of rules pertaining to drug use included in the new legislation to be “laudable,” they already follow the guidelines and standard testing rules of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI), rules that are adhered to by U.S. racing jurisdictions that account for 90% of the handle in the country.
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