What Did Rene Douglass do?

[cjestice]

From the DRF, Rene got an immediate and indefinite suspension from Calder for an unspecified offense.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/81298.html

Anyone hear what the actual deed was that caused the ban?

thanks.

[cjestice]

More from The Bloodhorse:

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=36768

Most interesting is the second paragraph of the piece:

\'Meanwhile, Calder management has enacted a \"house rule\" designed to strengthen existing state regulations on the use of medication.\'

I\'m guessing Rene is fighting some weight issues.

[marcus]

Maybe he had his second driver in his saddlebag ... though not reprted in these exact words , it looks fair to assume there is a \" controlled substance type issue \" . reminds me a bit of the ny trainer popped recently for \" borrowed \" medication for a back problem ... fla is always a tough read , either Douglas is really in a \" heap of trouble \" or    will be a keynote speaker at a relacore convention very soon  ...  

[xichibanx]

I heard a rumor and it was none of the above but...I really don\'t want to post spec.

[spa]

Was it bigger than a breadbox?

[Silver Charm]

>I heard a rumor and it was none of the above but...I really don\'t want to post spec.

That would be an all-time first for this board.

If the guy has been dipping into the goodies at the Race Track Vetinary Pharmacy the wagering public has a right to know.

He could never get away with this in Hong Kong.........

[cjestice]

Seems like it couldn\'t be anything too serious in the medication department if Rene was using.  They informed him during the middle of the day and let him finish out the card.  If they suspected Rene was taking anything that had a chance to impair him they would have pulled him immediately.

[miff]

The private property thing which Calder invoked on Douglas has been used a few times without explanation(none is required).Did you ever wonder why California, New York, Kentucky et al do not rule off the grounds the suspected juicers?
Simple, there would be very small fields. It\'s a business decision by the hypocritical race track owners/operators.

In addition to testing, detention barns etc, just \"rule off\" the undesireables and the game is cleaner.Instead of sending a repeat convicted juicer(like Mike Mitchell\'s runners) to the 30 day detention barn, just rule him off the grounds period.My understanding is that there is no legal challange to being ruled off private property, you\'re gone without recourse.


Mike

[Silver Charm]

>If they suspected Rene was taking anything that had a chance to impair him they would have pulled him immediately.

There are some riders who the moment they show up for work their skills are impaired. I guess management assumes the \"free market\" will take care of them. And then again there are Trainers like Jerkins who don\'t seem to mind so the rest of us are left to calculate how much risk we are willing to take on their decision making ability. Regardless of how fast the horse is.

In the old days a 98% functional PVal, Gomez or the late Chris Antley would outride the 20th leading rider at Fonner Park even if he was forced to ride backwards. Again impaired is relative.

Finally Calder is a bit of a Banana Republic so I wouldn\'t read too much into anything they do.

 

[RICH]

Hey Mike

Not so sure about that, the owners just may find someone else to train. Ruling off, that  sounds pretty good.

[miff]

Rich,

I agree. There are many capable horsemen who are not getting a fair shot. It is always difficult to act on suspicion alone. Where do you draw the line. I wonder if say Dutrow and Mullins were \"ruled off\" what overall affect it would have in NY and Cal racing.

Mike

[flushedstraight]

xichibanx Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I heard a rumor and it was none of the above
> but...I really don\'t want to post spec.


He was on Katherine Harris\'s scrub list?

[cjestice]

And it just keeps getting curiouser and curiouser...


http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=36784

[what about bob]

Actually, G. Gomez rode for a while at Fonner Park.  He was basically run off the track because he was winning too many races.

In regards to the Tampa 7, as soon as I saw the name of the new agent (Washburn) it became pretty clear.  Look for an investigation into some sort of race fixing.

[miff]

Check out the Bloodhorse article:

\"Race at Great Lakes Downs Key to Jockey Probe\"


Seems like a few little guys are in trouble.