Roaring Back

Well, I have returned from one of the most incredible weekends of my life, a celebration of women at Princeton University. Suffice it to say that from the moment I got there (Friday lunch) until the moment I left (Sunday around 10:00 AM), I was energized, revitalized and so very proud of being part of making history at a place that didn't go out of its way to make it easy to be a pioneer.

It was remarkable and inspiring to be surrounded by 1,400 powerful women. Enough said.

Meanwhile, new legislation has been introduced by Representative Edward Whitfield of Kentucky and Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico to create new penalties for trainers whose horses test positive for drugs. The legislation will come under the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, which permits simulcast wagering to take place across state lines.

"...American racing medication policies are not only out of step with an increasing number of the world's racing nations, but out of step with an increasing number of the world's racing nations, but out of step with other major league sports in our backyard," says James L. Gagliano, the president and chief operating officer of the Jockey Club.

The New York Times reports that "nearly every horse that goes to post in the United States is given medication." The penalties to trainers are very stiff in this new legislation, including a permanent ban from all activities related to racing for a third offense. The Times also points out that of the top 20 trainers in the United States (based on purse winnings), "only 2, Christophe Clement and Graham Motion, have never been cited for a medication violation."

To all of which, I can only say, what I told the president of Princeton at the dinner held on Saturday night, "Thank you. It's about time."