Dear Bob,

You and I have had this debate before. Why am I or anyone who factors in trainer patterns,(so called drug guys or not) called "cheaters" instead of astute?

Why should I lose money on any given day I choose to play. It's not my fault that cheating exists, or drugs are being used. At this point it's a theory or speculation or inuendo, but these guys have not been caught with the so called smoking gun yet, and thus allowed to keep on keeping on. My only stake in the matter is funding a parimutuel pool. My job as I understand it is to make money as best I can and use whatever information I have at my access to help me make money. if that is not my job to try to make money, then what the hell am I playing this game for in the first place?

If Your opinion would be such that I best not bet at all, then we should all not bet at all, thereby not funding any parimutuel pool of suspected cheaters. I could go along with that approach , however, until a commitment is made, I am going to try to make money when I am betting. If that means factoring in innuendo about trainers who may help a horse perform better what am I supposed to do? No one is sending me checks from the racing industry.

This whole topic sucks quite frankly.

It is what it is. I personally side on the one system for all jurisdictions, better testing, harsher punishments, but total ban to just hay and oates doesn't seem quite practical. Ask any trainer. Otherwise we should just discontinue Horseracing as we know it today. Cut back the number of tracks, races etc, and go to a much more centralized racing system where most everyone around the country is betting on a highly regulated and Federally Managed racing industry (Similar to an NFL type Franchise for each track). Less racing, less races, more centralized simulcasting, centralized vetrinarians supplied by the "league".

Who is fighting for the horses racing at the smaller circuits like Buelah Park and Penn National ? Those horse that run on those circuits 20-40 times a year are hurting animals and they need help via legal medicines. This is not an easy issue. Allowance & Stakes Horses vs Cheap claimers should all be treated the same way? If not we are hippocrates too.

Bottom line Bob, your moral approach to wagering conflicts with the concept of wagering and winning. Your approach on how we should treat horses is on the money. Where do we go from here?

NC Tony

PS Bob when was the last time you went to a rack track live like AQu Inner..? How many Non-degenerates did you see vs the degenerates? Most serious wagering is happening at home or via phone or internet. The Live tracks are not well kept,clean, well lit, or has TV's that have been manufactured in the 1990's or seats maintained anymore. Except for certain venues, CD, SAR, KEE, DMR, SA, and a few others, the best American society has to offer is not at the track, thus the deserved perception. Hey I don't mind hanging out with a few Degenerates,.....maybe a few of the ex Meadowlanders I used hang with remembers "Alright Frankie" or the Guy who used to yell after every race at old Keystone "You got to bet the BLOOD". Those guys made the track experience part of the fun of going live.....