Another View of Modern Racing From Bobby Trussell

[miff]

\"We\'ve gone beyond that gross generality on this forum - talking about different classes of steroids, effects and side effects, etc. (but a smarter bunch here than \"the general public\", I think)\"

Sight,

....Generally agree, with the exception of the conspiracy idiots who know nothing and voice inane stuff.Biancone is a classic case, the guy trains on the edge and got big time for breaches in ADMINISTRATIVE regulations.The case is basic bullshit(read the ENTIRE case), re Snake Venom & unlabeled injectibles. A good Legal Aide Lawyer would have a shot on appeal.No question the guy is being made an example of without having a CLASS I positive and maybe his past made him a nice fat target or maybe there is more to the story that is not being released.

Don\'t think he\'s doing anything much different from many outfits, at many venues, who walk that fine line in using meds agressively.


Mike

[sighthound]

Can\'t prove cobra venom has been injected (can\'t find it pharmacologically in the body), so all that exists for that drug is illegal possession of the Class A, then the other technical-violation stuff that\'s common in many barns (unlabled bottles and vials of meds, vaccinations, the IV fluids and bicarb, etc).

I think the appeal success on that case would hing upon if the search and seizure were \"legal\".  But I haven\'t the first clue about technical legalities  (any lawyers on here might comment).

For those interested in the details, here\'s the written KHRA suspension as given to Biancone:   http://www.khra.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/...2/0/070104.pdf

And here\'s the RMTC model rules (adopted by KY for the most part) outlining common drugs, their offense class, and suggested penalties (just make up a password and sign in as an owner, click on \"model rules\"):    http://www.rmtcnet.com/

It\'s a pain to search the KY.gov site for all of KY horse racing rules, but you can do it.

>>> Don\'t think he\'s doing anything much different from many outfits, at many venues, who walk that fine line in using meds agressively.

I agree.

Edit:  after posting, I see the forum didn\'t allow the complete link through:  add the appropriate internet prefix to the following and let\'s see if this goes through:

The Biancone suspension letter from the stewards: khra.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/858E5DAB-4484-479E-996D-A22DD378E5F2/0/070104.pdf

[miff]

Thanks Sight,

That was a big problem with the Venom case,not traceable.Biancone took an FBI type polygraph which he passed. I\'m surprised John Veitch is on board with this particular case which is why I feel there may be more info not yet released or not yet confirmed.What prompted the raid on Biancone\'s barn in the first place?

If he was using venom, he should be barred for life, if not he is a sacrificial lamb for the phonies that run Kentucky racing, heretofore the MOST permissive venue in the world.

Mike

[sighthound]

I think someone in his barn turned him in.

The Kentucky Racing Stewards over the years ... yet another discussion

[bloodline bob]

Miff and Sight -

Thanks for adding some sensible comments re:Biancone. You are correct. The only issue here should be the cobra venom. But that\'s the part that never added up. That would be something you might find in a claiming trainer\'s barn. It would have the same effect as something like Sublimase for whatever joints it was used on.  He trains young horses and grass imports.  Now if they had found blood-doping kits or something like that I would say this looks bad.But cobra venom? It\'s used to block feet, diagnostically or otherwise. Cobra venom is not the reason he succeeds, that much I can assure you.

Also consider:
* Dr Stewart has testified that he put the bag in the refrigerator and that Biancone had no knowledge of it.
* Biancone has said he has no knowledge of it
* He passed a polygraph on this point and on whether he has ever used cobra venom
* He turned over his computer and all records and there apparently is nothing incriminating there.
* No needles or syringes were found.
* Biancone was never interviewed by the KHRA.

I know Patrick believes he was set up.  But I also know that KHRA Pres Lisa Underwood has said in the press that they did not act on a tip.  I know Lisa well and I believe her. So then why did they do the raid? I guess because he had a positive at Churchill for an asthma medicine on a 2 year old (who didn\'t even have lasix!).  In my opinion what has happened here is the KHRA, on a mission to clean things up, raided a trainer after a very minor offence and found an illegal medication that he has never used that unfortunately was put there by a vet 45 minutes before the search.

I think most people would agree that IF my assessment is true then a one year suspension, effectively taking away someone\'s livelihood is excessive.


Disclaimer - I have 2 horses in training with PB. I can tell you this much.  He is an outstanding horseman, one of the best I have been around.

[miff]

Bob,

One problem is Biancone\'s previous record. It is not to difficult to think he is guilty of something ugly, given his past record.I stand that the Kentucky racing hierarchy are a bunch of phonies and it surprises me that a good man,John Veitch, is knee deep into this obvious propaganda.

The stories circulating at Belmont for weeks had Biancone barred for life, caught red handed with the magic bullet, etc, etc.Instead, administrative bulls--t for the most part.One year is a bit stiff, given the published circumstances.

Mike

[sighthound]

bloodline bob Wrote:
>>  Now if they had
> found blood-doping kits or something like that I
> would say this looks bad.But cobra venom? It\'s
> used to block feet, diagnostically or otherwise.

No.  There is no \"diagnostic\" use for cobra venom in the horse, approved, not approved, experimental, or otherwise.  It\'s not used to block feet.

It\'s ONLY known use in a horse is as an illegal intra-articular injection as a joint painkiller, used ONLY as it is undetectable via current testing.  It is a Class A substance, of zero approved use in the horse and banned from being on the racetrack premises.

>> In my opinion what
> has happened here is the KHRA, on a mission to
> clean things up, raided a trainer after a very
> minor offence and found an illegal medication that
> he has never used that unfortunately was put there
> by a vet 45 minutes before the search.

Do you think, then, that the vet was trying to set Biancone up?  

If there wasn\'t a tip, it\'s one hell of a coincidence, hum?

[sighthound]

Good interview at Blood-Horse w/Bobb Trussell

http://www.bloodhorse.com/talkinhorses/BT100507.asp