Congressmen use triple crown stage to push jockey insurance.

With attention turned to the sport of kings during the seven weeks when its three most-storied races are am, a pair of congressmen are reviving their efforts to see that professional jockeys and other horse-racing personnel are insured for catastrophic injuries.

Under H.R. 2175, the Jockeys' Insurance Fairness Act, the thoroughbred horse-racing industry would be required to set aside at least half its simulcast revenues to buy health, disability or workers' compensation insurance for jockeys, exercise riders and backside personnel and trainers.

The bill amends the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, which permits horsemen's groups to draw revenues from off-track wagering, by making receipt of such funds contingent on the groups securing accident and health insurance through state racing commissions. The measure also calls for new, mandatory prohibitions on the use of anabolic steroids, by riders or horses.

Because of high risks associated with the profession, jockeys--who typically operate as independent contractors--historically have had difficulty securing affordable coverage in the private health insurance market. Jockeys are covered trader workers' comp laws in just five states: California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.

The legislation follows a series of hearings the subcommittee hosted in 2006 investigating the conduct of the national Jockey's Guild union under its former chief executive officer. L. Wayne Gertemenian.