Re: Surgeries and procedures (645 Views)
Posted by:
Barry Irwin (IP Logged)
Date: July 29, 2005 02:08PM
If you have been following these threads, you know I asked a question yesterday and would love an answer. This spring at Oaklawn, you fired your newly hired private trainer after a horse he saddled came back positive. I admire your zero tolerance stance and your belief in "hay oats and water".
My question again: If Todd Pletcher had an animal come back positive (not necessarily a TV horse) would he continue to train Team Valor horses?
Here is your answer:
First of all, what Ralph Nicks treated the horse with at Belmont was not an illegal substance. The rules state that no injections are allowed on raceday in New York other than Lasix, which must be supervised. He broke the rule by administering the shot. It could have been water and it still would have been illegal. His intent was not pure.
Secondly, Todd Pletcher under New York technically has been ruled to have had a starter come back with a "positive."
Are we going to take away our horses from him?
No.
Reason: Todd's test is a case of contamination, as it is 1 nanogram, which is most jurisdictions would be considered below any reasonable threshold.