The only good I can see that could come out of this is Leparoux moving his tack from Turfway this winter. It was ridiculous that he was there this year.

Its hard to detect unless you have a fridge full of vials labled "TOXIC, COBRA VENOM"

I guess we should forgive him, afterall he is French

If that thing came with a fold out syringe we could rest comfortably knowing Biancone had one.

That things pretty funny Rob, just got done reading through all the options

Life in prison for possesion of cobra venom is a little harsh, dont ya think?

Probably a good punishment for Biancone would be taking away his cigarettes

I'm not suggesting that mere possession of cobra venom could lead to life in prison. However, if it is proven that he knowingly used it on a horse, that is a different matter open to a number of federal charges.

Is it me, or is it ridiculous that racing jurisdictions are continuing to accept entries from this guy? If they have the evidence, the tracks should enforce their private property rights and revoke his stalls and bar him from running. Otherwise, this mess will get dragged through the legal system (and I say this as a lawyer), and justice will be delayed and denied.

Before people start with the "innocent until proven guilty" line, as far as racing goes, this is not a criminal matter. The same rights/protections do not apply. The stall applications at most tracks say that management has the absolute right to deny/revoke privileges (similar to an at-will employee who can be fired at any time, for any reason or no reason at all) at any time. I wish some of these track execs would have the guts to exercise these rights; until they do, cleaning up the game will be left to the ineffective government regulators.

I completely agree.

I agree, jockeys have been banned so why not a trainer.

I've stated this already,and what I don't get is how they can toss the jockey's off the property for alleged cheating/wagering scams with no explanation,Yet this guy is caught red handed and they do nothing.

There is no doubt in my mind if he didn't have the powerful owners that he has he would have been tossed off the grounds of Keeneland on the spot. As much as I hate to say it I believe he will skate on this. Just as Assmussen and other high profile guys never seem to lose any business despite troubles similar to this. The "leaders" of the industry are not that concerned with cleaning up the sport because many of them are highly involved with those who need to be cleansed. Sad but true.

It would seem that an illegal substance adminstered to a horse that results in injury or worse to the jockey might result in serious consequences for those responsible.

Chuck, I know you are usually right but I think Mr Biancone is going to go on a vacation for this, and not a short one. Class 1, injectables in the barn, and the guy has already been in trouble, is it possible he gets off with a slapped wrist? I cant believe hes still allowed to enter, amazing.

They dont seem to have a problem banning jockeys that haven't been charged with anything yet.

good point

I hope that I am wrong on this one. But I just get this feeling that he is going to get a 60 day suspension which will be appealed forever until he takes his days a la Pletcher in the winter when he would not run much anyway. He wont lose any horses or clients and as soon as he is done with his vacation things will go back to being status quo.

If that happens it will be TRAGIC

I hate to wish bad on anyone but hes had more than enough chances

I can only thing of one other guy who could get away with having King Cobras in their tackroom fridge on the grounds of Keeneland or Churchill

I can think of 5. TP,KM,SM,SA,DR.

All of them and Cresini. Hes been known to keep the fridge stocked with King Cobras

He is an untouchable....literally

http://www.drf.com/news/article/86497.html

Read this and tell me you wont start having doubts about what is going to happen

:D

Dont think they couldnt open up that fridge at anytime and find a few king cobras.

Sounds like theres a grey area. THe only saving grace is it basically boils down to racefixing.

They could draw blood on him and it would come out King Cobra laced

If they can tie him to actually using it. The other case they had a lot more evidence (phone taps, distribution, etc) than they have here

Isn't it possible the Keeneland search was initiated due to extension from the harness case, where they were distributors?

Are we sure they dont have any wire taps or phone calls in this case? They must have had more than some groom saying there is snake venom in the fridge. There has to be some very legit information for them to storm his barn, at least I would think

True, but thinking more on this ... if state law enforcement was contacted, wouldn't it be they that would "storm the barn"? It was only Kee security and administration, no?

I dont know if Keeneland would let law enforcement come on the grounds and storm a barn. Figure Biancones best owners probably account for alot of the bigger tickets at the sales. Now that Im thinking about what Chuck said Im wondering how Keeneland will handle it.

Is not KHRA the legal (police) arm overseeing racing in KY?

All I know is Keeneland makes the rules in Lexington. Whatever they decide will be

I have a bruised heal from a great wiffle ball game tonight. I'd love to get my hands on some of that shiat before I play golf tomorow.

You would walk 36 if you had Biancones Venom. He gets the good ****

lol...Must be good stuff.:D

By the way congrats on #1500.....

Thanks! Couldnt have done it without you guys

Will you have a "bar shoe" or "aluminum pad" on tomorrow??? :D

Preventing venom use 'difficult'
By MATT HEGARTY
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Facts about cobra venom that many people in horse racing probably do not know: It's easy for a veterinarian to obtain. It's legal to possess. There is very little hope of devising a test to detect its administration any time soon.....

http://www.drf.com/news/article/86497.html
Link to DRF article...


FOLKS.. Please do not lift articles.. LINK THEM..

Thanks for the article. At least the 2 cheaters in NY have been prosecuted and I hope they get the 4 years in jail and a lifetime ban from horse racing.

Something has got to be done. The article does state the venom is not effective after 4 hours so that brings in the detention barn as part of the solution.