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Originally Posted by Coach Pants
If they're doing this with no funny business attached it really makes no difference because what they're accomplishing is potentially damaging to the sport. It's a trend that will continue to escalate to the point that owners and trainers will leave the game and there will be nothing left but 20 bullies that will control 90% of the races. And this would be disastruous to a sport that is already in dire need of less tracks and larger fields.
It's nice that you guys are giving them the benefit of the doubt. But really can you blame others for being skeptical? Can someone tell me what the risk is of cheating? A six month suspension after a 4th offense that can be circumvented by letting the horses stay with the assistant? The rules are so weak that they actually encourage foul play.
And even if they get caught they face practically no risk of being charged criminally for their actions.
In a game that involves BILLIONS of dollars there sure isn't enough severe penalties in force to curb cheating. In today's society why would people be naive enough to believe that isn't going on in horse racing? When you have numbers this high, it should be a wake up call to everyone.
You won't see track management step up security unless the public demands it. It'll be a cold day in hell when they would be proactive because that would burn too many bridges in an industry that thrives on a gang mentality.
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I was going to say this earlier, but it is very hard to be "defending" Cat/Cal on any level. They aren't easy to stomach whether you are a bettor, handicapper, trainer or owner. But the only smoking gun we have here is that they have started the first 7 racing days with a crazy win % that I really think has some logical reasons behind it. If that is "sticking my head in the sand", then so be it, although I think that accusation is flat wrong. No one has come out and said they aren't cheating and I doubt anyone disagrees with your points on cheating and how it should be handled. But if a career .200 hitter hits .500 for April and jacks 12 homers, I'm going to be waiting for a little more of the season to play out before insisting he's on steroids. And Cat/Cal aren't .200 hitters.