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Originally Posted by ELA
I wasn't talking about the owner holding the trainer accountable. While that might be one side, it's the other side that can turn out to be something many did not expect. You've got politicians, well known leaders of commerce and industry, high profile business leaders, and so on. If you are going to make this business dangerous to them, they will look to insulate themselves in any way, shape or form they can -- and for some, leaving the business will be the result. Sure, exceptions and norms. But you will see many drastic negative ramifications.
Owners certainly do need to hold trainers accountable. I've had trainers race back horses quicker than the norm -- one week (once) and two weeks (a few times). I questioned the trainer. I asked what I thought were the right questions. But I didn't go down there an inspect the horse myself, nor did I look for an independent second opinion from a vet. How much can and should we as owners do? It's the slippery slope.
Eric
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I do not think that you can penalize/suspend the owners. Some stables are lucky if they break even, now they are going to be at risk of suspensions or finacial penalties. It would just lead to people defecting from the sport. I am not saying that they are 100% innocent, but the trainers are the ones who know what the real story with the horses are. They are the ones who should have some sort of accountability.
But, the bottom line is that it would be impossible to prove anyway. These guys get slaps on the wrist for confirmed positives. Now you are going to throw the book at someone on speculation? Really what could the sport do, suspend a guy everytime a horse breaks down on a drop? Somehow if it could have been caught before the race by the track vet (who is accountable too), then maybe there could be some sort of fine/penalty levied.
It is just so fustrating, because today event just seemed so blatantly obvious.