The Gods have finally spoken...

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Not to defend Pletcher but his mepivicaine positive was a very low level that would not be considered a positive in the majority of racing states. I guess that is a defense but what I am saying is all positives are not equal though in the public's eyes they are. the other guy got a positive that by all accounts was not a trace level and was not a mistake hence the more severe punishment.

i would think some positives are based on the fact that not all horses metabolize at the same rate, so withdrawal times for some drugs are hit or miss. in many instances, these drugs have zero tolerance-look at the horse who travelled to australia, only to have to scratch out because he was still showing trace amounts of a drug too soon before the race-they didn't want to chance him having a level above what was allowed by races' end, so the trip was for nothing. i think this is what nipped pletcher, as well as some other trainers in times past. it's the danger of zero tolerance compared to an allowed trace amount.