Re: Drug-busting (479 Views)
Posted by:
richiebee (IP Logged)
Date: February 27, 2005 12:01PM
It seems like everyone was waiting for Dutrow to stub his toe with the coming of milkshake testing, but this was not the case. I do not want to argue that some players will always be one step ahead of their competition and the labs, because we know this is so. It will be impossible to ever bring the game back to hay, oats and water.
Dr Allday is not the leading trainer in the United States.
The trainers who tend to get the most mention on this board are Frankel, Dutrow and Pletcher. These are not bad trainers who found a vet and a vein; they are excellent horsemen and trainers, and two of them are the sons of excellent horsemen. They have owners who are willing to go deep to acquire top notch stock, and to pay top dollar to maintain that stock.
"Nutrients" can not make winners out of horses whose hooves are not properly maintained, whose training regimen is all wrong, who always seem to be ridden by jockeys who give them no chance to win, who are continually entered in races they can not win.
I would not be surprised if you told me that the top trainers were able to assemble the best "teams"-- assistant trainers, exercise riders, grooms, leg men, night watchmen, etc. It wouldn't surprise me if you told these trainers paid their help relatively well.
If we went back to hay oats and water, Pletcher, Dutrow and Frankel would continue to dominate racing. They would continue to be resented for their success. They would continue to win because they are top horsemen who thrive on winning. They will still have the best system for winning, the best organization. I am tired of hearing that when the playing field gets leveled [ ] (fill in the name of your favorite trainer who has been winning at a 10% clip for the last 5 years)will make a comeback.