Last month I made two posts "He's got a good vet" and "He's got a good vet version 2". I am not sure how many people read the post, but very few people commented. Today I as very pleased to read not one, but two articles posted on Equidaily.com about this issue. The first spoke about the rules for all horsemen at Colonial Downs. It appears that Virginia is doing a great job to keep the playing field level. The second was about the strong rules being enforced at Woodbine. Both Virginia and Ontario are trying very hard to stop any cheating, but this is not enough. I am also concern that the size and scope of this problem is much greater than people think. In the article from the Dailypress, the on site vet mentions that the problem is $5000 horses trying to win $6000 races. I think it is much bigger than this.
The problem runs from the top Grade I horses all the way down to the $2500 claimers. Top trainers (of Preakness winning horses) are getting caught with drugs that they test for, and I am sure a lot of injections contain drugs that are undetectable, or just not on the radar. I have found ads in the Bloodhorse for Chinese herbs that are "performance enhancers". If this company is willing to advertise nationally, how many are flying below the radar.
A major effort to end illegal drugs in the industry needs to be initiated ASAP. What is going to happen when we find out that a Kentucky Derby winner was all juiced up? America and the bettors will turn their backs on the industry, and it will be all over.
I think I am done with my rant for now, and I will step down off of the soap box.
3 comments:
Dutrow, Mullins, Pletcher. Enough said, if keep rewarding, it'll keep happening.
We hear ya Baloo...looks like they might try to make an example of Mr Asmussen. Mr Lake had better watch his back too....
I sure hope they don't make examples of trainers. They need to stop it all, not take down one high profile trainer and hope the rest stop, poor Steve, but that's what could happen if you step on the line.
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