IEAH attempts to take the high road...

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Much ado about nothing, unless they are saying that they will no longer be using the "maintenance" medications like Gastroguard, Clenbuterol, Bute, adequan, etc. (many of which Dutrow references in the article), on their horses. As Chuck notes above, "hay, oats and water" is really a misnomer. They won't get any race-day medication; with the exception of Lasix, they can't now (and they will continue to use that drug). Isn't this them just publicly saying that they are going to play by the current (and future, as it relates to steroids) rules?

Same thing with respect to Iavarone saying that they will be "steroid free" by October 1. Hasn't the CHRB already said that horses running in the Breeders' Cup will have had to been off them for at least 30-45 days before the Breeders' Cup or they risk a steroids "positive"?

It is simply a PR move. A proactive move that is probably a wise business move but those horses wont be anymore drug free than anyone elses.

[blackthroatedwind]

I wish there was some way to wave a magic wand and suddenly make the public understand that the problem is undetectable designer drugs....and not the stuff everyone can use. While I am sure a case could be made that there is abuse of allowable medications it is the undetectable stuff that is far and away damaging the game the most.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I wish there was some way to wave a magic wand and suddenly make the public understand that the problem is undetectable designer drugs....and not the stuff everyone can use. While I am sure a case could be made that there is abuse of allowable medications it is the undetectable stuff that is far and away damaging the game the most.

This is something that can easily be done through the media, yet they haven't gone that far yet, somebody like a Haskin/Beyer needs to write a story about some crazy insane expensive undetectable drug that someone is using. They need to get an honest trainer to talk about it, and maybe an unhonest retired trainer to spill the beans. Once that fire is lit, this will put alot of uncertainity, thus the truth will come out in regards to ok medication versus performance enhancing. Also, get that story in some of those extreme politicians that have such a hard on for steriods

It is alot like 'the cream' and 'the clear'. These were hyped up by the media. I understand that concept that humans and horses are not equal, but people are not talking about creatine, which I think is still allowed in MLB.

MLB is 'performance enhancement free' not drug free.....

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

when does patrick b.get out of the penalty box...at least he used something of this earth...

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I wish there was some way to wave a magic wand and suddenly make the public understand that the problem is undetectable designer drugs....and not the stuff everyone can use. While I am sure a case could be made that there is abuse of allowable medications it is the undetectable stuff that is far and away damaging the game the most.

That is why IEAH is so loud and proud giving up the drugs that can be detected. They know they will have to give them up very soon, so they are trying to take the high road by being the first to quit using. BFD.

Make no mistake about it, they will still be using the designer stuff and will cry out in complete shock if one of their "drug free" horses tests positive.

Undetectable designer drugs are in all sports. The only thing that is going to make them detectable is loads of money dumped into improving the testing. The problem is that nobody thinks it is a big enough problem to invest that money. Also, who will pay for it?

Once a test comes out to detect a drug, the drug makers are already on two or three generations down the line making new drugs that can't be detected. This will probably never change unless there is an incredible breakthrough in drug testing.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I wish there was some way to wave a magic wand and suddenly make the public understand that the problem is undetectable designer drugs....and not the stuff everyone can use. While I am sure a case could be made that there is abuse of allowable medications it is the undetectable stuff that is far and away damaging the game the most.

Agreed. This is why the focus needs to be enhanced testing and, perhaps more importantly, stiffer penalties when they are caught (so perhaps the guys using these currently undetectable drugs will think twice if getting caught means an end to his or her career). When you think of it in this context, the penalty given to Biancone last year was really a slap on the wrist.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Agreed. This is why the focus needs to be enhanced testing and, perhaps more importantly, stiffer penalties when they are caught (so perhaps the guys using these currently undetectable drugs will think twice if getting caught means an end to his or her career). When you think of it in this context, the penalty given to Biancone last year was really a slap on the wrist.

I think that testing will always have big holes in it. Funding, the huge volume of horses, thousands of possible drugs, lack of research,etc. What could be done is real live investigators that keep the backside under real surveillence. Random searches, tests done on items found in vets trucks, etc. If you find something solid like they did with Biancone, throw the book at them. Hire real investagators and hire enough of them. Hell, plant listening devices on the backside if you want. But testing will never be efficent enough to really do the job.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I think that testing will always have big holes in it. Funding, the huge volume of horses, thousands of possible drugs, lack of research,etc. What could be done is real live investigators that keep the backside under real surveillence. Random searches, tests done on items found in vets trucks, etc. If you find something solid like they did with Biancone, throw the book at them. Hire real investagators and hire enough of them. Hell, plant listening devices on the backside if you want. But testing will never be efficent enough to really do the job.

Considering Patrick is a friend of mine, and someone I have talked to quite a lot, I can safely say listening devices would be useless with him.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Considering Patrick is a friend of mine, and someone I have talked to quite a lot, I can safely say listening devices would be useless with him.

..................

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Considering Patrick is a friend of mine, and someone I have talked to quite a lot, I can safely say listening devices would be useless with him.

OK, hire translators, too. Or are you suggesting that wouldn't solve the problem??

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Considering Patrick is a friend of mine, and someone I have talked to quite a lot, I can safely say listening devices would be useless with him.

In all seriousness they may have proved his claim that he had no knowledge of the stuff.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

It is simply a PR move. A proactive move that is probably a wise business move but those horses wont be anymore drug free than anyone elses.

how can anyone give him an ounce of crediability?