WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) today released the following statement in reaction to an announcement by the Breeders' Cup, one of the most important horseracing events in the United States, that it plans to eliminate race day medication from its championships over the next two years:
"Today's announcement that the Breeders' Cup will eliminate race-day medication over the next two years is a good step in the right direction. But much more needs to be done to end the chemical warfare on American racetracks, from graded stakes to maiden claiming races. The Interstate Horseracing Improvement Act, which I introduced earlier this year in the Senate, would prohibit racing horses under the influence of performance enhancing drugs and set strict penalties for doping, including ‘three strikes, you're out.' This legislation is the only feasible way to eliminate performance enhancing drugs in horseracing and kick dopers out of the sport."
Udall is a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Interstate Horseracing Act.
