A bill set to be introduced in the U.S. that will outline uniform, nationwide drug and medication standards with oversight from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has the approval of one of harness racing's most prominent racetrack owners.

Upstate New York congressman Paul Tonko plans to introduce a federal bill establishing uniform drug and medication standards in thoroughbred racing that would be overseen by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and begin in 2017. This announcement was made on Friday in Washington, DC.

The horse racing industry has been regulated on a state-by-state basis with a patchwork of rules and penalties, and he said it's time to set a level playing field at racetracks nationwide. The legislation would allow USADA to create a drug agency specifically for racing. USADA, an independent agency, is the national anti-doping organization in the U.S. for the Olympics.

Meadowlands Chairman Jeff Gural voiced his support for the bill, “I was extremely pleased to read about Congressman Tonko’s plans to introduce legislation that will lead to much needed medication reform in horse racing and about the coalition that has been formed to move that initiative forward."

This initiative also has the support of the Water Hay & Oats Alliance (WHOA).

"As someone who has gone to great lengths to get performance-enhancing drugs out of the sport, including the implementation of 'house rules,' I fully support these efforts and I hope the Standardbred industry will follow the Thoroughbred racing initiative.”

(with files from The Meadowlands)