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Originally Posted by phystech
You are now an owner - do you know everything your trainer does?
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Excellent point/question. Here is where part of the potential problem begins. I understand that Phipps called for this, and to some extent, this is part of the solution. However, I don't see this being "absolute" so to speak. Are we going to see owners -- big-time owners -- litigating with racing commissions? What about individuals or members of boards? What will the outcome be? The critics and negative voices can say all they want, but there has to be a broad, comprehensive solution.
I don't know the details, but recently in NJ, there was a trainer (and driver) who got something like 10 years, big money fines, etc. First, I could be wrong, but I was told the trainer shipped his stock back to IL and was in business, racing as if nothing happened. That surprised me. Perhaps it was because the NJ case was under appeal or something, but I don't think he could race in NJ. Anyway, time goes on, case goes on, it works its way through the legal system and now -- I believe he is eligible to apply for a NJ license (after about a year, time served, probation, etc.).
Is this what could happen with an owner, but without lost time? Take an owner who is the founder/CEO/Chairman of a Fortune 500 company. He/she gets suspended. Can he sell the horses to his wife? I don't think this is the type of litigation that solves the problem. However, this is part of the solution.
Eric