NTRA's Waldrop Talks Legislation at Del Mar
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National Thoroughbred Racing Association officials reinforced the organization's impartial position on potential federal drug oversight in a legislative briefing with horsemen, owners, and horseplayers at Del Mar Aug. 21.
NTRA chief executive officer Alex Waldrop said the organization won't take a stance because its membership remains "segmented" on the topic.
"With respect to medication legislation, we'll take not so much a neutral position, because neutral suggests we don't really care about the issue—that we think the status quo is somehow acceptable," Waldrop said. "We're not going to take a position on the specifics of that legislation in deference to the diversity of our membership, but we're going to do everything in our power to accomplish many of the goals in the federal legislation, through pushing the National Uniform Medication Program."
Waldrop also commented specifically on the California Horse Racing Board's recent decision to delay action on third-party administration of furosemide, commonly called Salix or Lasix.
BALAN: CHRB Delays Any Action on Third-Party Lasix
"We were interested in the conversation about third-party Lasix," Waldrop said. "We've encouraged California to finish that job. That's an important innovation. There are many things we can do as an industry short of federal legislation."
NTRA officials covered a variety of topics during the briefing, including efforts to reform the IRS tax practices on pari-mutuel wagering, steps taken to oppose online gambling legislation, and the unlikely chance for immigration reform in regards to backstretch and farm workers.
"We desperately need comprehensive immigration reform and we have never been further away from that possibility," Waldrop said. "Congress is completely opposed to any comprehensive approach to immigration. That's a shame, but that's the reality."