As I awoke this morning ready for a day of great racing (East of the Mississippi)and great hoops, I eagerly opened my Sunday DRF to read the letters to the editor. Unfortunately my letter did not make it in; I guess letters have to be under 200 words or coming from a horseman to get consideration. I am not quite sure how anyone can say anything constructive in such a short space (mine was about 450).
That being said, the main topic seemed to be California racing, Rick Arthur, shallow, cosmetic testing (Milkshakes), short garbage fields, etc. Each letter (besides Robert Bone\'s) just complains about the problem. No one seems to want to offer any solutions. I suppose that\'s why my letter did not make it. I offered solutions for bettors and legislators. My letter talked of my boycott of wagering on California racing (for the reasons listed above). I raised an important issue about horsemen not viewing drug use as cheating or a big deal because penalties are so low. Punishments in existence now tell horsemen to screw up a few times and then find a new way to cheat. I feel the penalties should make horsemen afraid to screw up at all.
Guys, no problem gets solved by just whining and complaining about it. I am tired of hearing people moan and groan about the problem and then offer no solutions. This is what horsemen and legislators want, complaints with no intelligent action or thought. It assures that the current state of racing is safe. If you really have a problem with California, stop betting it.
I will give Robert Bone credit for his article. Who wouldn\'t defend a guy (Mullins) who made you all that money? He did offer a more wholistic solution in a 24 hour detention barn for all horses. This obviously sounds like a good idea, but does Mr. Bone really want this? Be careful what you wish for Bone, your win % might just drop a few points.
Jerry, I want to thank you for taking time out from your ongoing battle with CH to answer my questions. The letter did not make it, but that does not mean my big mouth will shut any time soon.
Bull
Bull-- they didn\'t run the letter I sent them under my girlfriend\'s name last week, either. And yes, there is a lot more moaning and groaning going on than constructive conversation-- Mandella and Headley are supposedly going to allow all the sealed samples on their horses to be tested (what samples, you ask, and why havent they been tested already? I asked, and didn\'t get an answer). Then they\'re going to challenge Mullins and Baffert to do the same, sort of like in professional wrestling, because they\'re pissed about the conflict of interest implications those guys raised. All of which would solve nothing.
BUT-- this NYRA move is a big one. Nobody in this business ever goes first, but they all follow a model like little ducklings. We\'ll see what happens.