NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Rush Questions Kentucky Horse Racing Authority About Dutrow’s Suspension

Washington, DC - Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, today sent a letter of inquiry today to the Chairman of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority (KHRA) regarding the recent suspension of trainer Richard Dutrow on account of a Class B medication violation. Under Kentucky Authority Regulations, the penalty for a first offense of a Class B violation is “suspension or revocation of licensing privileges from zero to sixty (60) days as deemed appropriate by the Authority…” A second offense calls for suspension or revocation from one to six months, and a third offense warrants a suspension or revocation from two months to one year. However, despite Mr. Dutrow’s history of past offense, he was only suspended for 15 days.

On June 19, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled “Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse.” During that hearing, members of the Subcommittee heard unanimous testimony to the effect that the sport lacks adequate uniform rules and regulations on drugs and medications across all 38 racing jurisdictions. Witnesses testified that the prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs and medications is one of the biggest problems currently facing Thoroughbred horseracing, and many asserted that the current penalty structure is insufficient to deter would-be violators. Click here for information about this hearing.

Read the letter »

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