The CHRB & Wygod

[Caradoc]

This from the DRF tonight.  Apparently the issue the CHRB thinks most worthy of its attention now is its defective investigation into the Wygod matter.  The quote from the executive director of the CHRB is priceless, inasmuch as she ordered the investigation, ordered it to be expedited, supervises the investigator, and then didn\'t appear at the Wygod hearing where the investigator\'s findings were detailed, pleading that she was very busy at a convention in Kentucky.  

http://www.drf.com/news/article/64445.html

[Chuckles_the_Clown2]

\"During a three-hour hearing on Saturday, Wygod was cleared of CHRB charges...regarding Sweet Catomine\'s condition before the race and knowingly falsifying paperwork related to her departure from Santa Anita five days before the race\"

\"During the hearing, CHRB investigator Christopher Loop said he did not interview Wygod during a hasty investigation on April 10, a decision he said he regretted

In a one-page statement released Sunday by the CHRB, Ingrid Fermin, the board\'s executive director, said she was \"disappointed\" that Wygod was not interviewed.\"

\"Saturday, Hollywood Park stewards Dennis Nevin, Pete Pedersen, and Tom Ward dismissed the case against Wygod after Kendall argued that the CHRB did not have evidence that Wygod was responsible for falsifying documents. \"

You mean to tell me, that with an allegation that a horse was moved they did not interview the owner? My god, this CHRB is as corrupt as the fixers.

\"Wygod, a member of the board of directors at Del Mar, said last Saturday that he might end his involvement in racing because of the allegations.\"-Good Riddance

Its not over yet Marty. The CHRB may not have questioned you as thoroughly as the public expected but you can bet that deposition on behalf of the handicappers isn\'t gonna be as easy to evade.

[razzle]

Caradoc,

Required training in Spin Doctor 101:


In a one-page statement released Sunday by the CHRB, Ingrid Fermin, the board\'s executive director, said she was \"disappointed\" that Wygod was not interviewed.

\"I intend to evaluate our investigative procedures from start to finish,\" she said. \"In that way, licensees and the public will be reassured that cases have been fully investigated and evaluated before any accusations are filed.\"


Okay class, does anyone feel reassured? Anyone?  

Why, I think Ms Fermin has made our frog go deaf.  raz

[Caradoc]

Raz: Actually, it would be hard to top Wygod's spinning throughout this episode, including his statements immediately after the Santa Anita Derby that \"Sweet Catomine will probably wind up at Belmont Park, with a leading trainer back there\" to point for the Alabama, to speculating that prior to the Santa Anita Derby Sweet Catomine "was sedated.  Leading up to the race, she was given three legal medications, including Lasix . . . I think those three medications put her to sleep\" to all the nonsense about the van driver concocting the lie, etc.

One of my personal favorites is the following.  Now, keep in mind that Sweet Catomine's condition coming up to the Santa Anita Derby and immediately afterwards is still a very relevant, important issue for a number of reasons, including 1) Mota's (the bettor's) suit, 2) any claim Wygod makes against the CHRB relating to their investigation against him, and 3) any action any regulatory body considers about disclosure of health and treatment matters.  Also keep in mind that one of the most important sources for any information about her condition is the vets who treated her leading up to that race.  And finally, remember THAT THOSE VETS WORK FOR WYGOD AND THAT HE CAN AUTHORIZE THEM TO SAY ANYTHING HE WANTS ABOUT HER CONDITION.  So, with all that in mind, a reporter challenged Wygod about her condition after Wygod announced her retirement.  I'll give you Wygod's response, as quoted in the DRF on 4/21, and let you judge for yourself.  I add emphasis for humor, to underline how large a farce this episode has become:

\"[Her retirement] was totally based on doing the best thing for the filly,\" Wygod said. Wygod declined to provide specific details and said information could be provided later \"WHEN THE VETS WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.\"



Post Edited (04-26-05 00:27)