Trainer suspensions in Kentucky vs. other states

[spanishwells]

This letter was written to the DRF on Sunday. Whether you agree or disagee depends on if you are trying to screw the bettors and other horsemen. If Kentucky wants to come up to speed with the rest of the nation and add casino gamming to it\'s revenue stream in may want to start by throwing out the trash on the backside of the track. Let the vets administer the medicine!



PAGE 6 Sunday, July 10, 2005 DAILY RACING FORM


___________ LETTER TO THE EDITOR


Two positives
very different
in their severity
Having recently read of several trainer suspensions
from racing because of violations in
the medication policy standards, I am hard-
pressed to understand the reasoning behind
the stewards' rulings. The two most recent violations
involve Todd Pletcher (a 45-day suspension
under appeal) and Garry W. Simms (serving
a 30-day suspension). ("Pletcher fined, suspended,"
July 5; Churchill Downs notebook
item, July 1)
Pletcher was found to have run a horse in
Saratoga's 2004 meet on the often-used medication
mepivacaine. Mepivacaine and acepromazine,
or "ace," as it is commonly called, are
widely administered medications used on
Thoroughbreds as calming agents for horses
who are excitable or unmanageable. They are
often used for the protection of both the horse
and handler when shipping, repairing of minor
wounds, and even shoeing of hard-to-handle
Thoroughbreds. Because it is such a common
form of anesthetic, I hardly feel that Mr.
Pletcher would purposely administer or order
the administration of this drug to alter the performance
of one of his runners on race day.
Traces of any type medication can linger in a
horses system for 48 hours or more, depending
on the dosage and other factors. This appears
to be a clearly unintentional act.
On the other hand, trainer Garry W. Simms
was found guilty of administering or allowing
the administration of sildenafil, a human erectile
dysfunction drug sold under the brand
name Viagra.
One medication is commonly used around
the racetrack and administered by licensed veterinarians,
and the other is a medication prescribed
for humans with no known legal veterinary
use. One trainer was apparently following
the rules and not trying to deceive the public
or defraud the sport. The other's motives are
far less clear, yet the suspension for Mr.
Pletcher exceeds that of Mr. Simms.
I ask anyone to feel free to explain the
actions of the racing officials in charge to me
and the other horsemen and fans trying to
make a living and enjoy the sport we love.


TP