I'm not sure its EPO. Heck how would I know, the State pari mutual divisions can't isolate an issue...lol But I've believed its blood packing in some form and if I understand EPO correctly it pertains to blood packing. The sources say EPO can be dangerous to T-breds and that they can drop dead from it. (But maybe thats said to dissuade use kinda like the Pentagon saying if an Iraqi soldier follows orders and fires gas at our troops he will be prosecuted for war crimes) Haven't seen top Stakes horses just dropping dead in the Frankel or Lukas barn to fire EPO suspicions.

Use to be a very successful trainer at Hallandale named Frank Passero. He would come down from Canada with his own horses claim others and they would all run like Grade I winners. He led the meet in wins a year or two. They caught one of his grooms rubbing pepper vasoline into his horses genitals. I don't know why the horse would tolerate that all the way to the starting gate and then run like a deer fly was biting him but since that revelation Mr. Passero has not gotten close to his previous success at Hallandale. I guess I point this little anecdote out to demonstrate when money is at stake people become clever in chasing it. Maybe it is EPO, maybe it isn't.

Tabi



Post Edited (04-30-03 09:59)