Classhandicapper - Let's assume you can simply factor drug use into your handicapping (although I have some serious doubts as to how well any of us can actually do so).

But, as you said yourself that does nothing for the owners and trainers and fans who are trying to compete in or enjoy the sport. The "clean" owners and trainers get a double whammy. First, they are at a big disadvantage because the cheaters have an obvious edge. Second, (and you and others have also alluded to this) because the sport has done such a poor job of policing itself (very similar to baseball by the way), every good performance now comes under suspicion even when it is just due to good old-fashioned talent and hard work.

If nothing changes, then the long-term effects are that more will resort to cheating and/or many of those who are "clean" will leave the game because they are at such a disadvantage.

Not to mention the effects on the animals and also the way it turns the breeding game into as much of a crapshoot as the betting game since you now no longer know if you are breeding to a super-horse or a horse that was trained by a super-trainer and also nobody really knows the effects of these drugs on future reproduction, etc.

Every week you hear about something new. This week it's sneaking horses off track for "Shock wave" therapy (yet another non-chemical but artificial way to enhance performance that can only be detected through surveillance rather than testing).

It just goes on and on. Until the industry really gets serious about cracking down, it will only get worse.

The good news is that some "motion" seems to be getting started but I hope that people don't make the mistake of confusing any type of "motion" with actual "progress."

Chris

P.S. I am no expert (maybe an expert can correct or validate) but my understanding is that HGH (Human Growth Hormone) became popular for the very reason that rapid muscle growth due to steroids was over-stressing bones and tendons. HGH builds bones and tendons so that used in conjunction with steroids, they help the body compensate for the increased muscle mass. HGH (rather than steroids) is what has led to all the jokes about baseball players "hat sizes" growing almost overnight. I think Lenny probably came along pre-HGH or he might have had a few more MVP-type seasons. My apologies to Lenny if he was drug-free (blame my suspicion on your player's union's lack of action). I personally always liked his hustling, hard-nosed style of play (which was just as likely the source of his injuries as steroids) and enjoyed watching him even though I was never a Mets or Phillies fan.