Gural-Owned Tracks Join Integrity Coalition

The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity announced Sept. 1 that three primarily Standardbred tracks owned and operated by Jeff Gural—Meadowlands, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs—have joined as members. 

The coalition supports federal legislation that would direct the non-governmental, non-profit U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to create an independent, racing-specific, non-governmental, and non-profit organization to oversee medication policies in U.S. Thoroughbred racing while working collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country, according to the organization.

"Meadowlands, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs are all known for having the highest testing standards possible," said Gural in a statement. "We currently do our own out of competition testing and surveillance at our expense. We have utilized the Hong Kong Jockey Club Laboratories as well as others, and despite the current efforts of the states, we have been able to detect illegal performance enhancing medication in horses entered at our facilities.  

"We believe that national oversight is the only way to ensure that everyone is playing fairly and that our animals are not subject to potentially harmful medications. Our tracks are proud to join the coalition and we hope that our participation will help broaden these positive reforms to encompass Standardbred horseracing. The implementation of uniform policies throughout the U.S. and an industry-based, non-governmental solution will only help us grow the popularity and credibility of the sport and ultimately establish a level playing field across the board."

Tioga and Vernon in New York offer Standarbred racing while Meadowlands in New Jersey offers Standardbred racing and a short Thoroughbred meet.

Gural is the CEO of American Racing and Entertainment, LLC and chairman of commercial real estate firm Newmark Grubb Knight Frank. He is a longtime proponent of medication reform and enhanced drug testing in American horseracing. 

The Coalition's membership also includes the Breeders' Cup Ltd., the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association, The Jockey Club, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, and the Water Hay Oats Alliance.