Re: Drugs and Modern Sports (672 Views)
Posted by:
richiebee (IP Logged)
Date: September 19, 2006 04:54PM
Miff:
You and I had an exchange regarding Dutrow back in March of 05 on this board. I will still stand by the following, that Dutrow, Pletcher and Frankel are in a position to provide their stock with the best of everything-- feed, farrier, vet, equine dentist, help (especially exercise riders). Even with their alleged undetectable advantage, the fact that these trainer's horses enjoy "the best of everything" should never be discounted. Not to mention that these trainers are allowed to rest their stock when necessary.
I am not naive Miff. I worked in Kentucky in the early 80s. A couple of the trainers I worked for would love to ship from Churchill to River or Latonia simply because it gave them a minute or two with their horse in a rest stop off of the interstate, away from prying eyes.
I will reiterate, without trying to reopen debate, that (a) the "usual suspects" win percentage has not been greatly affected since the implementation of pre-race detention; (b)high volume, high win percentage trainers' horses undergo more POST - race tests than horses from lower impact barns and (c)the 2 high profile suspensions in the past year (Dutrow/Pletcher) have not really involved performance enhancing drugs.
Absolutely agree that the horses of the usual suspects are enjoying some sort of veterinary/pharmaceutical/ nutritional edge, and that the regulatory bodies responsible for detection and enforcement are badly overmatched. Add this to the fact that these barns are coddled by the Racing Office (stall allocations, races written for)and have access to the best bloodstock, it IS kind of amazing that they are, in general, BEATEN 75% of the time.
Part 2 of the Candlin Reality Show. Part 1 was give Dutrow or Pletcher 10 of Candlin's horses for 3 months. Part 2 would be to give 10 of Candlin's horses to Oscar S. Barrera or Pistol Pete Ferriola or Gasper Moschera for 3 WEEKS.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/19/2006 05:03PM by richiebee.