NYRA statement on passage of The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020

by NYRA Press Office

NYRA statement on passage of The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020

“This is a monumental step forward that will help secure the future of thoroughbred racing in the United States,” said Dave O’Rourke, President & CEO of the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). “For the first time, the sport will have a unified set of national safety and integrity standards to replace an outdated system that relied on patchwork regulation. The HISA will achieve the type of reforms long supported and advanced by NYRA, including a national approach to medication control and strongest anti-doping authority the sport has ever seen. This legislation will further modernize horse racing and arrives at a critical juncture in its history. NYRA looks forward to the work that lies ahead.

NYRA would like to thank Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for their work to prioritize the future of a sport responsible for 19,000 jobs in New York and more than $3 billion in annual statewide economic impact, including $240 million alone in the Capital Region during a traditional summer meet at Saratoga Race Course. Congressman Tonko first introduced the Horseracing Integrity Act in 2015, and has been unwavering in his commitment to achieving bipartisan support for this important legislation. Today would not be possible without his efforts.”