The Jockey Club, Aug. 10, acknowledged progress on the effort to adopt uniform medication and drug-testing rules on a state-by-state basis, but also said it will advocate on the federal level for assistance in the form of legislation.

The development was hardly unexpected. Jockey Club chairman Ogden Mills "Dinny" Phipps addressed the same issue at last year's Jockey Club Round Table Conference. Earlier this year he said if sufficient progress on adoption of the National Uniform Medication Program had not been made by early August, the organization would call for action beyond the state level.

"At the end of the day we clearly need to do more," Phipps said during this year's Round Table in Saratoga Springs, New York. "We need to direct resources to develop a national legislative strategy that builds on our efforts to date. That broader strategy will include federal legislation and (developing a relationship) with the (United States Anti-Doping Agency, USADA).

"We fully realize federal legislation doesn't happen overnight, and there are unintended consequences that could open up Pandora's Box. But we believe it's the correct route to take. We appreciate the concerns and will proceed thoughtfully at all times