Horse Racing Hearing

Performance enhancement drugs have gotten a lot of attention over the last couple of years and athletes of every sport have been under a watchful eye. Now congress is turning its attention to the horse racing industry. Fox sevens Kelli Carlisle has more on what lawmakers are looking at and how it could impact racetracks like Ellis Park. Whether or not your a fan of the sport of horse racing--its hard to turn away from watching these athletes run-- now lawmakers are watching--very closely The deaths of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro and this years second place winner Eight Belles has put the industry under the microscope. Thats why a congressional subcommittee is holding a hearing next week to question some of the industrys elite--like Rick Dutrow--Big Browns trainer One of the biggest issues on the table--is the use of anabolic steroids--Big Brown was on them for the first two races Although the drugs are not allowed in most other countries--the use of steroids in horse racing still allowed--although efforts are underway to stop it. While looking into the use of anabolic steroids, the hearing will also address issues like breeding techniques, track maintenance and track surfaces, although Jackson says running on dirt tracks is nothing new to horses Congressman Ed Whitfield of Kentucky is the ranking minority member on the committee for the hearing. He could not be reached for comment today.