Excellent Drug Piece

[PapaChach]

In re: NYRA - there\'s been recent rumblings that Pataki and the legislature are going to award the franchise before the end of the year. If I have my facts straight, the question of who owns the tracks hasn\'t even started wending its way through the court system. What happens if they award the franchise and six months later a court decides NYRA owns the land?

[beyerguy]

I\'m still waiting for the announcement that Team Valor is firing Assmussen, who is currently serving a 6 month suspension and is about to have another tacked on.

Until then, Mr. Irwin is just another hypocrite.  I\'m sure he only cheats for \"other guys\".

[miff]

The decision on who owns Aqu, Bel and Spa will be rendered in Feb 2007. In a last minute desperate move, NYRA sued yesterday to block the awarding of the franchise.

There are several different interests still manuvering to get their hands on NY racing. With the exception of NYRA, all the groups are looking to line their pockets. Like all Venture Capitalists they will have little interest in the sport/business.They will only focus their efforts on what they can make before they strip it or flip it.An impending disaster if a group like that gets NY racing.


Mike

[marcus]

beyerguy - If Mr. Irwin were to fire the guy , to what extent beyond being \"just another hypocrite\" would that make him - in your estimation ... though that 2nd suspension has got to make for a tough decision by Team Valor  , but no points will be won by the fans and bettors who have left due to the corruption in racing as a result of Assmussens firing - specially in the holidays at this time of year ...  I do vaguely recall a previous thread last summer where a rational was discussed for \"not firing\" as a result of the 1st suspension  ...  

[Silver Charm]

Just caught up with this one and I am not nearly as impressed as others. Another story about stopping the level of drug use by trainers on their horses by an outstanding publication such as the Bloodhorse is fine with me. Another waste of print space at the fingers of Barry Irwin is not.

Irwin has typed more words and said less than anybody I can think of over the last several years. Why he continues to get space is beyond me. His proposal of having the Tracks themselves begin operating as dispensing Pharmacy\'s for vetinary purposes is total insanity if not downright plagaristic. It was proposed by me on this site several months ago that one solution would be to publish daily to the track database all drugs administered to all horse by Vets on track property. Similar to what Doctors are required to do when administering care in a hospital. Irwins idea would require the Tracks to begin to carry Inventory, a sophisticated Inventory Management system, a licensed Pharmacist or two on the payroll, a distribution facility, compliance issues with several FDA regulations and on and on.

Most tracks struggle to operate race tracks successfully, now asking them to run an eqine version of Wallgreens is comical. Perhaps they can also process winners circle pictures in one hour or less, dispense alarm clocks, shaving cream, deodorant and anything else an early riser might need.

If a Vet decides he is going to bring a little extra of his own stuff what is going to stop him.

Superior Testing dummy.

Racing has recently seen the biggest names or winners in the game be set down with suspensions.

Todd Pletcher, Steve Assmussen, Rick Dutrow, Cole Norman, Marty Wolfson, Jeff Mullins with numerous others confined to quarantine. There have been no big names in baseball or football (unless you count Shawn Merriman, who by the way may win Defensive Player of the Year) set down in the last ten years, if ever. People still bet on those don\'t they.

Irwin and his partner Jeff Siegel have been very successful at running a public horse racing syndicate that has won at high levels all over the world. As far as writing about shaping policy, Irwin has yet to print anything that didn\'t serve as a sleep aid.

Perhaps they can also sell that at the Track Pharmacy........

[jma11473]

Agree 100% with you Silver Charm. Sure, there might be some good ideas at the heart of the article if you discount the messenger, but most of it is unrealistic. Honestly, while I see the complaints of those on the site about not being able trust the trainers and the results (and I can\'t argue with that), \"integrity\" is not the reason racing can\'t compete with casinos. Integrity is lacking in baseball (steroid scandals with the top players) and football (different Bengal arrested ever week), yet baseball set a new attendance record last season and the NFL continues to have huge ratings (not to mention huge amounts being bet). I wish there was a simple solution to racing\'s problems, but I don\'t think this is it.

[marcus]

you guys are entitled to your opinions and make some good points . i quess part of my thinking is that sometimes ( always ) , half a loaf is better than none ...  writing effective policy ( and procedure )  is a highly specialized talent - racing administrators ,vets , owners , trainers and bettors etc  giving their professional opinions  to professional policy writers would be a starting point  ...  if stewards are afraid of losing business to other circuts as a result of having to get tough at times when needed , then somehow rulings made must become binding and honored by these \" other circuts\" ...    

[richiebee]

Great timing,with Irwin\'s piece being published at about the same time that Team Valor trainer Pletcher\'s appeal ran its course.

People seem to be forgetting Irwin\'s previous Blood Horse piece. It was a eulogy following the death of Alex Harthill DVM. Irwin portrayed his relationship with Harthill in terms of an odd couple, with Irwin as the proponent of hay, oats and water,and Doc Harthill being the controversial medicine man.

Alex Harthill saved the lives of many animals who had been given up on by other veterinarians; unfortunately, this will not be his legacy. Instead he will always be remembered as a vet who stretched the rules in a racing jurisdiction with the most permissive medication regimens anywhere in America.

It is incomprehensible to me that the same man can be wringing his hands about the drug plague in Racing while at the same time embracing (albeit posthumously) a man who represented drug fueled racing (and cheating in general) at its worst.

[imallin]

What will stop them is jail time for rigging a sporting event. Any trainer who gets a positive, gets charged with racefixing.

[cubfan0316]

it will never happen. this sport is so fixed.until they start lifetime suspensions after first offense, it will stay the same.