My opinion on Asmussen
 

>Horse's positive drug test trips up trainerAsmussen receives 6-month
>suspension, plus fine of $2,500Tuesday

Wow!! A $2500 fine! BFD. That is like fining an NBA player $50,000 when he is earning $10 mil a year.. In the meantime someone else sends his horses to the starting gate and he continues to earn a living.

A message should be sent. No horse that is officially being trained by him should be allowed to start during the 6 month suspension. Then maybe the owners will think twice about who they entrust the care of their horses to.

I agree 100% Slew. This man is one of racings biggest cheaters. He's lucky they didn't find the illegal crap he runs his horses on. Someone needs to tell George Strait and Tobey Keith to find a different trainer. This guy makes them look bad IMO.

I could not agree less.....the chances that Steve has seen the filly in question in the last 30 days is slim, and we all know that he was know where around EvD the night she was medicated....whether he authorized it is another question, but ask your self this....Would he really jeopardize all that he has just to win a cheap claiming race for a cheap purse at EvD?...By the way, the filly - No End in Sight - finished last in the race, so it hardly helped her....Steve is a lot smarter than that..

..this suspension is RIDICULOUS....6 months is WAY too much for the crime...Pletcher only got 30 days in NY for something similiar...this is clearly Louisiana business as usual, which is BAD POLITICS....the Cajuns were tired of Steve coming in and winning all the money with better horses so they found an excuse to punish him and nailed him hard for it....absolutely ridiculous and if I were Steve I'd probably hire a high-priced attorney to sue the stews at EvD, as well as the La. Racing Commission to make the Govorner look bad.....this is like putting a man in jail for six months for speeding...just isn't right...but that is just my opinion...

well said Joel, and i agree with you for the most part...but I also believe that if his the filly is under his name he has to accept responsibility for whatever his asst. might have done. However 6 months is absurd.

The punishment does seem a bit harsh for the offense but I believe he had a previous violation, maybe for EPO? That might've factored into the punishment.

Responsiblity, yes..you're right..But, keep in mind that his assistant may or may not have directly had anything to do with it, even.....the Vet that medicated here could have made a mistake..Who knows?

The bottomline is that - yes, it is his responsibility because he is named as the trainer of the horse. However, assuming that he is guilty enough to throw the freaking book at him and sit him for 6 months is absolutely asonine.....this is another classic case of bad Louisiana politics and Cajun home cooking..

yup. I don't like spicy food much anyway.

In my opinion, the only thing that really factored in this judgement was the fact that he wins a lot of the races at EvD and his name is not Bourgeious, Arceneaux, Desormeaux, Hebert, Breaux or Melancon...catch my drift?....Cajuns don't like the big outfits coming in and taking there slots-supplemented money and they take care of there own to make sure it happens as least as possible..

Here's the thing though--I have worked as a groom for show horses and on various farms and sales both in and out of the TB industry. I have never seen a vet take matters into his own hands w/o the OK from someone higher than me on the food chain.

Well, it has been the opposite experience for me....I own a few T-breds and have seen it happen before..

I'm not saying it can't or doesn't happen, only that I haven't seenit before. That said if one's reputation relys on what happens in that stall then he/she should be paying very close attention.

The man got TWO recent bad test, not just one.
The man is a NUMBERS man. Quanity, not quality of the races matter to him. He wants to win any race and will do anything to achieve it.
The man is from Texas. The "Cajuns don't like him" because he is a bigger cheater than they are, not because he is "not one of them".
The man calls the shots (literally.) HE tells the vet what he wants for his horses and the vets administer accordingly whether he or his assistant is at the barn.
Anyone that supports this guy is no better than he. He doesn't give one iota about his horses. He has 400+ waiting in the wings. They are all expendable to him.

yet another example of why there should be ONE national overseer. none of this state by state b.s. with everyone making their own rules. there should be one set of rules, there should be consistency in how violations are handled. no way should one trainer get a month, another six months, and yet another who gets off on appeal, all because the three occurred in different states. this is a national sport, it should be handled as such.

I completely agree. Well said!

Wow, you get the Moron of the Day award, sir......Congratualtions!

You are preaching to the chior on this one...Why should Louisiana officials have the power to prohibit Asmussen from running anywhere else in the country for 6 months?...Does this really make sense?

There absolutely needs to be a national governing board for take action on whether or not Asmussen or any trainer would be eligible for punishment outside of Louisiana....this is too much power to give the politically corrupt state of Louisiana...I am from the state and love it with all of my heart, but I've seen bad Louisiana politics long enough to know how to spot it when I see it...Unfortunately, it happens regularly around those parts...

Joel I'm not trying to start a fight with you but I have to note the favortism you show Asmussen here and point out your lack of objectivity which undermines your credibility.
Now I agree with you and have posted that this is complete nonsense as far as the Asmussen situation goes. I don't know Steve, have only spoken to him on the phone a few times, but I know he is one brilliant guy and a fantastic horseman. Yet he has almost the same profile as Dutrow and ironically just got the same EXACT positive that Dutrow got two years ago. How can you bash Dutrow and defend Steve? I defend both and think that if you are objective you either have to condemn both or defend both.

I say you're on to something here. Smells like Cajun home cookin to me.

Thats my point ArlJim. AFter listening to a very arrogant dissertation on Dutrow, you would think that a guy who said those things would have to come down hard on Asmussen.
I pride myself on objective analysis. There is no room for personal feelings in an objective argument.
Both Asmussen and Dutrow are high percentage, win at both the bottom level claiming ranks and in graded stakes, are huge off the claim or first time to them switch, and have been suspected of chicanery.
Personally even though I know one and not the other, I think both are outstanding at what they do and are using 21st century vet techniques, sheets to place their horses in spots, had a postive for mepivicaine, and are are both outstanding horsemen. I really see no way how that you can come down hard on one and defend the other. Unless of course you let the fact that you know and like one and not the other cloud your judgement.

hey mike hows tricks .....

Yeah, I don't know either guy, just their public record and my own observations about their particular styles. I see them both as solid horsemen at the top of the game and factor that into my wagering strategy.
The action taken against Assmussen seems ridiculously harse.

I agree, the suspension is absolutely absurd.
I'm ok Hooves. Had a good friend, one of my best, pass away on Monday and I found out on Wednesday. Then the town where my grandmothers live in got flooded like you wouldnt believe. They are ok, up on hills, but wanted to check in and see if they needed anything.

your a good man ...way to think of others ...sorry for your loss...now lets play some nags...

Yeah my friend was sick on and off a long time. Got to see him one last time last month when we met in Lake George and played the ponies all day long and talked. he had just moved back up here from Florida two months ago. I talked to him every day up to the end and I got to see him one last time so I have that peace that he didn't just go without me talking to him or seeing him. He loved the horses more than anything in the world and he'd want me to just be happy and nail a big one in his memory. He was the worst gambler who ever lived, never hit anything his whole life, but where he is he ain't losing any more photos!!!!

That's not completely true mike, you have obvious favorites in the game and it shows when you post about them--not that there's anything wrong with that but it can and does cloud one's level of objectivity.

1. This quote... interesting
2. Calling for national oversight ... unrealistic.
3. Calling the other poster the "moron of the day" .... lamentable

In revesrse order:

3. If he's the "moron of the day," what does that make you (other than, of course, the self-styled purveyor of the moron of the day award)? There are lots of people who share his view, right or wrong. And since he chooses to race so widely, there's no way he can know what's going on everwhere. I'll say that if he's going to play the game, he's subject to it's rules. Whether the punishment fits his offense is a matter for appeal.

2. National oversight. Yeah, sure it sounds good, but you should know it will never happen. Do you really think that the 30 or so states with a horse racing industry and their own racing commissions are going to agree to cede that authority? Politics in Louisiana are not so very different than they are in other states, certainly not when it comes to inviting federal legislation that would supercede State authority. Banking and insurance are two good examples. While there is federal regulation to a some extent, these huge industries are, for the most part, state regulated. If your zeal for national standards to apply to suspension guideline for violating state racing medication rules is genuine, I'd suggest you focus on getting the industry's national trade association to develop "model" guidelines for states to follow.

1. Your comment regarding the "Cajuns" in Louisiana. It's awful. And worse, it's lamentable. It smacks of the kind of "my people came over on the Mayflower and yours didn't" latent and very unsubtle attitude that has little use other than, of course, to make an unsubtle point. I'm a modest CDI, Inc. shareholder and it's unfortunate that one of CDI's on-air staff would make this sort of remark. If CDI were to promote you and transfer you to Louisiana and you found yourself in the position of needing to interview one of these "Cajuns" you mentioned would you be able to do so objectively? I'm sure many of them have fathers and sons and mothers and daughters who have fought and died to give you the right to your unsubtle and unseemly comments.

Good luck.

ummm isn't Joel from Loiusiana?

Yep, he is. That is why what he says is true. He knows what goes on down there. I firmly believe that...so when it comes to Louisiana racing, I will listen to him. He is actually very involved with LA racing, but I'll let him to be the one that says the specifics because I don't want to reveal any information about him that he may not want revealed.

I hate cajuns

I'm not neccessarily defending Steve or saying that he is a 'saint'...yes, oracle, he has a similar reputation between many serious horseplayers as Cole Norman, Dutrow, Frankel and many others do...the point I was making was that it would take a blatant intent or something far serious in my eyes for Louisiana officials to lay down such a crazy suspension.....that is all I'm saying here.

For them to suspend him for that long over the circumstances - and yes, I know very clearly Asmussen's history in LA (remember I am a La-Bred) - I just feel like it is very suspicious. Do you really feel that based on what you know that the punishment fits the crime?...If so, then you should also feel that your boy Peltcher should have gotten more than 30 days for a similar recent infraction, right?

The basis of my argument is that 6 months is completely asomine..

Of course I am and there is no bigger proponent of Louisiana racing in the world than me...hell, I am invested through the roof in that program and passionately love it and am seriously involved with the big players in it.

This guy clearly doesn't do his homework...for starters Mr. stockholder, I am no longer employed full time by CDI, and if I was, I never made an opinion in relation to CDI nor did I represent CDI in any opinion.

And again, I'm a Louisianian...my father and I are VERY invested in the racing program there and no all of the big players...as a matter of fact, my father is also a LARGE stockholder in CDI and is also a huge invester in the Louisiana racing program and even he doesn't disagree with my position because he lives there and understands Louisiana politics.

...just because you don't believe with the way the Louisiana government handles there business - as well as many shady things on the racetracks with well-documented scandles that have been witnessed over the past 20 years in Louisiana racing - doesn't mean that you hate Lousiana people and Louisiana racing....as a matter of fact, you can tell I love Louisiana racing because I'm one of the people that would love to see it ridded of its derailing bad politics and shady players...the same ones that could possible be involved in this bogus suspension.

Well,
I'm sure your Dad is a far HUGER investor than I am. You got me there. I still find offensive your reference to Cajuns in what I consider a deragtory manner. You probably don't agree. Well, that's all right with me. The fact you may own a few horses and your father may own a few more does not make you an expert on State politics nor does it make your reference to another person here who shared an opinion different than yours as a moron any more tasteful. I'll let it go there, wish you well, but will offer some unsolicited advice ... upgrade the sportcoat you wear on Churchill TV. Good luck.

regards,
-s2s

I fell as though I do understand Louisiana politics in how it relates to the horse racing industry...if I did not feel I was qualified to chime in than I would not have...if the topic of discussion was Boom Town casino in Shreveport having it's liscense pulled for allowing minors to gamble - then I would NOT have chimed in with an opinion....this is a chat board and when a thread comes up that I have a strong, educated opinion on then I respond with it...

As for the 'moron' comment, it was a pretty harsh statement by me - I agree, but ironically the reason that I made that comment is because I felt the poster was very uninformed as proved by the contents of his statements (kind of like you think I am) and so I lashed out....my bad....I do like Steve Asmussen a lot, but I also can say that I am unbiased in the fact that NOBODY deserved the punishment that he was dished out...just my opinion and I would have probably defended anybody against that judgement - not just Steve.

..as for the suit comment, you are very correct....look at it my way though...when you are doing multiple video shooting a week, you learn to just leave your 'cheapest' suit jackets in the office to slip on at any time....if you noticed, it was abouyt the same jacket everytime and I wasn't going to leave a good suit coat in my office collecting dust on a cheap coat rack....make sense?...good observation though :D

my husband is from louisiana...yeah, i understand about preaching to the choir.
of course this is the same governing body who sat a jock for a year because they felt he didn't ride a horse to win in a qualifying race. was it a meche? can't remember....but seems LA likes to hand out very harsh sentences, at least to some. it's a shame that LA has such a bad rep as being so corrupt. hell, how else explain nagin winning re-election??

Oracle, Do you still think that Mepivicaine is used for dental work on horses? I asked one of my trainers about that and he started laughing. Horses are not like humans when it comes to dental work. Mepivicaine is not used on horses for dental work. Novacaine is not used either. Horses are given tranquilizers for dental work. When a horse tests positive for Mepivicaine, there is only one possible explanation: The horse was given a nerve-block in one of its legs. Every trainer knows that. Every vet knows that and every steward knows that. That is why the penalty is so severe for a Mepivicaine positive.

Honey, it sounds like I am more informed than you are. I happen to have worked the backside. I know what goes on more than you folks "in the office". When I have a strong, educated opinion on someone, I respond to it. You don't know who I am, or what I have done in the business, so you calling me a moron makes you out to look like the real moron. Maybe you should "educate" yourself about some of the posters before you go around calling them names because of an opinion they have. FYI, I have seen first hand the **** that goes on on the backside. Guess what? This isn't the first bad test Asmussen has received. Do you know how many bad test that get "hushed" and only fines are given?? He had this coming to him for a long time. It's time the man ponies up and pays.
And BTW, it's ma'am.

The size of the investor really doesn't matter...its all relative..the point is that I am not taking CDI's position when I speak on my own behalf in a small forum like this one - and about a subject I feel qualified to talk about. Again, if I didn't know the contents of the subject then I would have refrained from chiming in with a contraversial comment...I wish more than anyone in this world that Louisiana was a fair state...history clearly says that it is not the case....it is very unfortunate because that is one of the things that pulls down a beautiful state that has many positive things to offer....damn shame..

A) I never remembered refferring to you as a 'man'..

B) If you think that I am a stranger to the backside then you are sorely mistaken...I've seen it all too...I can rub and walk a horse as good as the next man, I just chose to capitalize on my education and choose a career path on the frontside of the track. Does that make me a suit and tie-wearing idiot that has never laid a hand on a horse?...ahh, NO...I own several that I can handle up and down and that allows me an advantage as an owner because trainers cannot lie to me about a horse's condition because I can review them myself....When I learned the backside it was strictly to learn how to manage backside employees from an owners standpoint and it has worked to my advantage beautifully...

I apologize for calling you a moron, ma'am...that was uncalled for...I know Steve as well as anybody on here and I do not think he is a huge cheaper or I probably wouldn't have the respect for him that I have....

You worked on the real-live backside??? Wow...that is awesome. Fill us all in please.

Sorry, but I would take that as you referring to me as a man.
BTW, I too have worked in racing offices. That doesn't make you better than a backside worker (which sounds you were implying that. "I just chose to capitalize on my education") Being a backside worker doesn't mean a person is uneducated. You are stereotyping a people that keeps the wheels rolling. You should be ashamed of yourself.