NEW YORK (AP) -Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson was chosen Wednesday to oversee a national horse racing alliance that could lead to a ban on steroids and the beginning of uniform medication rules.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced the formation of the Safety and Integrity Alliance and outlined other industry reforms. Thompson will serve as the alliance's independent counsel.
The initiatives are the most ambitious in the sport's history and come at a time when thoroughbred racing is under pressure to create safer conditions for horses and jockeys.
Scrutiny grew after the death of the filly Eight Belles at the end of the Kentucky Derby and the admission by trainer Rick Dutrow that his Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown raced on steroids, a practice that was legal at the time.
Other initiatives announced earlier include improved drug testing, injury reporting and prevention, safety research and care for retired horses.
``Our first priority is to insure the health and safety of the athletes and horses in the racing industry,'' Thompson, a former secretary of Health and Human Services, said in a statement. ``On its own initiative, the NTRA has taken a great step forward in committing to reforms. I will take my independent oversight role seriously and work to assure transparency in this process.''
The alliance has the support of most major racetracks in North America, including Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., and Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga, operated by the New York Racing Association.
``On the issue of safety and integrity, we believe we must hold ourselves to only the highest standards,'' Churchill Downs president Robert Evans said.
NTRA president Alex Waldrop said ``the reforms and plans for implementation have been conceived by those who have pledged to operate at a higher level of integrity.''
The NTRA is a coalition of horse racing interests including leading tracks, owners, breeders, trainers and racing associations.
The announcement comes a day after New York racing toughened its stance on steroids and joined Kentucky, Maryland and other states in setting strict limits on use of the drug. Horses running in the 2009 Triple Crown races - Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes - will be tested for steroids. Also, there will be drug testing, including for steroids, at the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita on Oct. 24-25.
