Linda Rice

[Alabama Stakes]

Just read she got 3 year suspension and $50,000 fine. Seems harsh.

[moses]

I haven’t read all the facts but that seems like an absurdly long suspension.

[freddymo]

Fried Rice?

[Dahoss]

I don’t think it was harsh at all. She paid clerks to give her names and past performances of horses that were going to enter races that she was considering entering for YEARS.

She was cheating. This should be a deterrent to other trainers to not do the same thing.

If we are serious about seeing the game change for the better and the bettor, these kinds of people need to have the book thrown at them.

[moses]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I don’t think it was harsh at all. She paid clerks to give her names and past performances of horses that were going to enter races that she was considering entering for YEARS.

She was cheating. This should be a deterrent to other trainers to not do the same thing.

If we are serious about seeing the game change for the better and the bettor, these kinds of people need to have the book thrown at them.

I guess I don’t know enough about how the entries work but I sort of thought trainers had a general idea of what horses would be entering which races as it is. I know it’s the case for big races but assumed trainers sort of know for the smaller races as well. So it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal to me.

Generally, though, I agree that they should penalize trainers that don’t play by the rules and actually hold them accountable. There is a major lack of accountability for cheating trainers.. I do see that Baffert was also suspended by NYRA today though didn’t see the details on how long that will be.

[Thoroughbred Fan]

Originally Posted by moses

I guess I don’t know enough about how the entries work but I sort of thought trainers had a general idea of what horses would be entering which races as it is. I know it’s the case for big races but assumed trainers sort of know for the smaller races as well. So it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal to me.

It's actually a huge deal. With cheaper horses, you are really trying to maximize each run because they run for less. You try to avoid certain horses, avoid the big owners dropping one in for the win toward the owners title at the end of meets, find races with small fields, etc. At many tracks, scratching will push you down the priority list for the next similar race, so knowing in advance is a huge advantage.

I've met her a couple of times and she has always been super nice, but very competitive. I knew people that had horses with her a long time ago.

In her defense, I would say her competitive nature coupled with a very tough industry to be a highly successful woman led to many of her decisions. I'm sure this will be appealed and I hope they treat her fairly. I'm no expert on what the punishment should be. Despite what may be dubious actions on her part, I think she is a very good trainer.

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I don’t think it was harsh at all. She paid clerks to give her names and past performances of horses that were going to enter races that she was considering entering for YEARS.

She was cheating. This should be a deterrent to other trainers to not do the same thing.

If we are serious about seeing the game change for the better and the bettor, these kinds of people need to have the book thrown at them.

Exactly. It's tantamount to race fixing. She has an edge knowing class, running style, preferred surface, etc. of her competition before deciding which horses to enter where. It gave her an decisive advantage moving up horses as well.

It amazed me how she always seems to hit at like 40% for the first week or so at Saratoga - mystery solved.