Los Angeles, CA — Today, on the heels of information released regarding the doping scandal related to 2018 Triple Crown Winner, Justify, and the Santa Anita Derby, the Animal Wellness Group issued the following statement from Animal Wellness Action executive director Marty Irby:
“Drug testing should be conducted and overseen by impartial operators and not by industry players with a vested interest in looking the other way. The Horseracing Integrity Act would put the independent U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in the saddle and allow it to clean up a sport addicted to doping that’s caused countless horse deaths.
“House and Senate Commerce Committee Chairmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) should swiftly schedule a hearing on the legislation and investigate the corruption in horse racing for the well-being and protection of our iconic American equines, and to preserve what little integrity remains within the sport.”