Chuckles,

In the article you will see that Asmussen, indeed admitted to asking the vet to inject his horse with 2 drugs that are illegal, though he claims he didn’t know this. We’re supposed to believe that a major trainer doesn’t even bother to find out whether a substance is legal. Even giving him the benefit of the doubt, he is responsible for knowing both the effects and legality of the drugs he is giving his horses.
Aside from the legal issue, anyone giving a sore horse potent painkillers or nerve blocks that greatly increase the chances of a catastrophic breakdown is a menace to every horse and rider in that race. That is why a zero-tolerance policy is needed and that is the source of much of the rage rightly directed at these cheats.
The fact that an illegal practice is widespread makes it no less illegal or immoral. The only reason that Asmussen’s suspension seems harsh to some is that these matters have been treated too lightly in the past. Stricter penalties have to begin somewhere and this is at least a start, albeit still too lenient, in my opinion.
I agree that these efforts have to continue until the major offenders are banned from the sport for good.

Bob