Derby Aftermath

[robfla]

Agreement was reached between trainer Bob Baffert and the Maryland Jockey Club on Tuesday.


https://www.horseracingnation.com/ne...nt_reached_123

[cal828]

Took me a minute to figure out where I had heard of the drug otomax. Anybody that has Labrador Retrievers is probably very familiar with it. Labs tend to get what is called otitis externa which is a fungal infection in their ears. I just looked at a small 10 mg. tube and it lists betamethasone, 1 mg. as an ingredient.

[OldDog]

An interesting read:

http://ustrottingnews.com/hrmc-recom...ation-overage/

[Conrad]

With Medina in, how can anyone bet this race?
The MJC & Stronach made a grievous error here and I hope it costs them dearly at the windows.

[-BT-]

Originally Posted by Conrad

With Medina in, how can anyone bet this race?
The MJC & Stronach made a grievous error here and I hope it costs them dearly at the windows.

I was thinking the same thing, how are we, the betting public, supposed to feel any sort of confidence that we're getting a fair shake and know that everyone is playing on a level playing field when something like this just happened 2 weeks ago on the biggest stage in the sport, and the same connections are allowed to run like nothing happened? You have a trainer who was just ruled off of Churchill Downs, admitted to using a banned substance, but business as usual and on to the second leg of the triple crown.

This is my dilemma.

1) I can blow this whole thing off and keep churning that money into the window, maybe even fading Baffert knowing he has zero margin for error in giving whatever banned substances he's giving.

or

2) Step away, keep my money in my pocket and hit this sport and the powers that be where it hurts, by not wagering.

I know by keeping my money in my pocket I'm not supporting the 99% of the rest of the industry who's playing by the rules, but seriously when is enough enough? I've been on the fence about the industry for the last few years, specifically about this issue, but nothing has changed, so give me a reason to believe I'm not throwing good money after bad in a sport that doesn't really care about a level playing field or the money it costs those who are under the impression that everyone is playing by the rules.

-bt-

[gamblin4ever]

Originally Posted by -BT-

I was thinking the same thing, how are we, the betting public, supposed to feel any sort of confidence that we're getting a fair shake and know that everyone is playing on a level playing field when something like this just happened 2 weeks ago on the biggest stage in the sport, and the same connections are allowed to run like nothing happened? You have a trainer who was just ruled off of Churchill Downs, admitted to using a banned substance, but business as usual and on to the second leg of the triple crown.

This is my dilemma.

1) I can blow this whole thing off and keep churning that money into the window, maybe even fading Baffert knowing he has zero margin for error in giving whatever banned substances he's giving.

or

2) Step away, keep my money in my pocket and hit this sport and the powers that be where it hurts, by not wagering.

I know by keeping my money in my pocket I'm not supporting the 99% of the rest of the industry who's playing by the rules, but seriously when is enough enough? I've been on the fence about the industry for the last few years, specifically about this issue, but nothing has changed, so give me a reason to believe I'm not throwing good money after bad in a sport that doesn't really care about a level playing field or the money it costs those who are under the impression that everyone is playing by the rules.

-bt-

I'm not betting Pimlico and seriously thinking of not betting this sport at all anymore.

[richard burch]

Originally Posted by Conrad

With Medina in, how can anyone bet this race?
The MJC & Stronach made a grievous error here and I hope it costs them dearly at the windows.

I will not bet it. I will bet other races that have no BB entries.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Conrad

With Medina in, how can anyone bet this race?
The MJC & Stronach made a grievous error here and I hope it costs them dearly at the windows.

People WILL bet it. Probably in record numbers. People will watch. Because we always do. People in the industry know this. Trainers cheat. Jockeys cheat. Drugs. Buzzers. Stiffing horses. None of this stuff is new and yet it doesn't stop new wagering records from being set all the time. Medina Spirit will win and move on to NY with a chance at the TC unless he's disqualified from his Derby win before the Belmont.

[Flatterer]

After listening to Dr. Scollay explain how medication is metabolized and medication withdraw rates, I’m convinced Baffert has been playing Russian Roulette with medication his entire career.

Baffert is the Nicky (Christopher Walken) character in The Deer Hunter.

Baffert sends wads of cash to his owners every month as long as the chamber is empty. When it does go off and he gets a positive, so far it’s been just a graze wound. Baffert’s behavior will not change. It’s only a matter of time before it’s all over.

[Mike]

Should we just cave in and embrace this darker, seedier side of horse racing? Could producing a Narcos style Netflix series that depicts a Baffert-like trainer, high society clients and Arab sheiks create an explosion of interest in the game?

Why do we even think it will ever change. Baffert will win the Derby next year