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Originally Posted by parsixfarms
As an attorney, I'm well aware of a lawyer's obligation to advocate for his client. However, unless required by a court to represent a particular individual, I'm also very aware of the fact that a lawyer is free to pick and choose who his clients are. Unless the horseman's groups that Foreman represents believe that Biancone is being unfairly targeted - or are against stricter penalties for severe violations of the rules (I suspect that neither is the case), to my way of thinking, Foreman has made a poor choice in taking on this "crusade."
At a minimum, his comments suggest that professionally he does not believe in strong deterrents for rule breakers - and these statements come despite the fact that he is a Vice Chair of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium. See www.rmtcnet.com. I wonder how the other members of an organization that has led the charge in trying to clean up the sport feel about "one of their own" representing Biancone in what is probably the most highly publicized/severe case in the past few years, and advocating for only a fine. |
Ironic isn't it? I guess he cant charge the RMTC $400 an hour.LOL
Real change is always hampered in this industry because so many of the participants are both making substantial amounts of money and designing the rules and regulations. The conflicts of interest are so prevelant that they hardly cause a ripple.
Personally I cant fault or blame racing commissions because they are state agencies filled with political appointees and bound by strict interpretation of the laws. They also must steer clear of situations where a person is seemingly unfairly discriminated against, real or otherwise. My problem is with the owners that blindly support these guys who routinely violate the rules and turn a blind eye toward it or worse justify the the breaking of the rules. That the Walmac guy is actively defending Biancone (he has horses with him) on another board is SO typical of a response that he cant see that HE is the problem than Biancone. Without owner support, trainers are out of business. But when the support is blind in the face of overwhelming evidence and despite multiple violations, why wouldn't high profile guys who can afford to hire good lawyers try to "push the envelope"? One of the most laughable defenses is when they pull out the "only claiming guys would need to use that stuff" defense. Like stake horses dont have the same physical issues that claiming horses do. The fact that cobra venom is a very powerful blocking agent for horses feet would seem to fall in line with the type of barn Biancone has, lots of Euro turf horses whose number #1 physical problem when they come to race in this country is .....sore feet.
If owners would simply put their feet down and say that one mistake puts you on thin ice and a second violation causes the horses to be moved, you'd see a lot less pushing of the envelope and a lot fewer violations.
For some reason some owners seem to believe that there are only 4 or 5 trainers out there that can do a good job and win races. By looking the other way, they are the real problem....