Re: Teflon Todd (569 Views)
Posted by:
fkach (IP Logged)
Date: January 01, 2007 01:04PM
Shouldn't there be some differentiation between type of drug use and intent.
1. Legal and illegal performance enhancers that can impact race results and the breeding industry.
2. Legal drugs used for the treatment of horses in training that are illegal race day.
3. Legal drugs used for the treatment of horses in training that are illegal race day that produced a trace positive at levels that probably did not impact performance and weren't intended to do so anyway (typically errors, misunderstandings, irresponsible/incompetent workers etc...)
The punishment should probably fit the crime.
I realize some people object to treating horses for minor pain, soreness, and other conditions the way professional athletes are treated. However, I think the solution to this is mostly a matter of having high standards for which horses can actually run despite some physical issues as determined by track veterinarians of high integrity.
I also don't think drugs should be as big a problem for gamblers as is being implied. A high percentage of my own bets are on horses trained by people that are regularly accused of questionable practices. I spend a lot of time analyzing the methods, strengths, weaknesses, and betting patterns of high percentage trainers. As a result, I often have an edge over handicappers that rely on measuring performance alone. Of course, those that know exactly when a horse is being drugged have an even bigger edge, but I've never been one to complain about winning just because someone else is winning more. I'm not condoning it, but if drugs are the reality and you want to play, you might as well play a winning game until the issue is resolved.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/2007 01:15PM by fkach.