Schwartz: 'Too great a game to be tarnished,' joins WHOA

Barry K. Schwartz, an American businessman and thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder, has along with his wife pledged support for the Water Hay Oats Alliance, a grassroots push to support the passage of federal legislation to prohibit the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport of horse racing.

The appointment of an independent anti-doping program run by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) will resolve the problem of widespread drug use in American racing and put U.S. racing jurisdictions in step with international standards, according to the WHOA.

Schwartz, who partnered with his childhood friend and fashion designer Calvin Klein to establish the clothing brand, has also been a fan of thoroughbred racing since his childhood in New York. He purchased his first horse in 1978. He is a successful owner/breeder and many of his top runners come from his 700-acre Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs, N.Y.

"When I was Chairman of New York Racing Association, I tried very hard to take back the penalty phase of dealing with violators.  I was continually rebuffed by the state legislators.  I believe if violations and penalties  come under federal jurisdiction, we will take a major step in driving that element out of our industry. This is too great a game to be tarnished by a few bad apples."

Click here for the full Water Hay Oats Alliance membership roster.