Fairmount:

As you took your legal training from the Jesuits (the "academic" wing of the RC
Church) I know you would be disappointed if you did not receive at least some
mild opposition.

Firstly I am on record and in agreement with you that Baffert deserves some
sort of lifetime achievement award for his dubious record of violations over
the years, not to mention the tragic incident you mention. Maybe even set a
precedent using Ole Bob, totally shutting the barn down for 30 days, employees
go on unemployment for 30 days (and if unemployment on steroids returns, most
of these employees will get a well earned one month rest while probably
collecting more than their weekly wage), runners turned out or transferred to
trainers not employed by BB.

The old system whereby hypothetical trainer B gets suspended for 15 days and
trains the horse by cell phone is not really a penalty. Especially if trainer
B's runners win races in B's absence. Does anyone really think trainer B is not
collecting his "stake" for these wins? The old system imposes a penalty how? I
guess only if said trainer cares about his reputation.

As the overages have piled up, BB continues to get bloodstock as good as any
trainer gets, even your second favorite trainer Chad Brown[sup]1[/sup]. BB does
not have to worry about his reputation or continued influx of expensive young
horses. The problem is that he is "too big too fail", but even individuals,
corporations and institutions which are characterized as such should not be
(and are not) "too big to be punished" (even if the punishment rarely fits the
transgression).

Now for the mild opposition. Reviewing [i]Bloodhorse[/i] it appears that a few
weeks before the Ky Oaks Kentucky changed the withdrawal time for the
medication Gamine tested positive for, betamethashazizzle, from 14
to seven days. BB's legal representative has contended that the "beta" was
administered 17 days before race day, and that the Baffert vet team was well
aware of the change in regulations. It is also noted that different runners
will pass this therapeutic medication through their systems at different rates.

Problem for BB's attorney: At this point does your client deserve the benefit
of the doubt?? Multiple violator/overage in (another) historically significant
Gr I race, appropriate punishment please. Please no more slaps on the wrist,
both of B's wrists are very sore from repeated slapping.

Gamine: the race this filly did not test positive post race for was The Acorn.
One of the most brilliant races I have seen at NYRA this century. Not running
straight and not being persevered with, I think she could have broken track
record at Belmont that day.

I mentioned that I hoped she would not get 9 furlongs in the Oaks and hoped
that she would come back in BC Sprint v males (she may have been a short price
in that race also), but as you say, maybe she can run the table and win BC AND
test clean afterwards.

________
In a recent NYRA turf sprint, your second favorite trainer Chad B had NO
entries, but Karl Broberg had one, first Broberg runner I've seen at NYRA, but
not watching every day. The chart reveals the Broberg runner had the best view
as they say in the trade.