[Danzig]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

I fail to see how the privilege (not a right) to train horses is different from the privilege to practice other professions; and yes, when doctors and lawyers lose their licenses, they lose TONS of money, but that's part of the price paid for their wrongful conduct. The fear of losing that money is what deters others from engaging in such behavior. Let me ask this question, in your view, is there any conduct in which a trainer could engage that would justify losing his or her license?

I'm certainly not suggesting that every trainer that ever had a positive should lose his license; mistakes do happen. When penalties are adjuducated, there has to be a sense of context, perspective and progressive discipline. IMO, a serial cheater such as Biancone who has shown blatant disregard for the rules of the sport and the welfare of horse and rider has no business having a license to train horses. Based on their track records, you could reasonably argue that Dutrow, Asmussen and Mullins, each of whom has a long track record of failing to play by the rules, fall into the same category (but that's a conversation for another day). The individual with one relatively minor positive is not what we are talking about here.