Setting Record Straight on Asmussen Suspension

[DiscreetCat=Monster]

Barry Bonds

[Scurlogue Champ]

If all this is true, why don't they just tell him he can't train anymore. Ever

I don't understand the light sentences here in America. The worst thing about this coming to light is that it is plausible to believe that this was/is a normal thing in not only his barn, but many of the other top operations. If he got caught this time, how many times did he not get caught?

And if Pletcher has a positive that they keep letting him appeal until he wins all the big stakes races and no one will notice in January when he serves, how many times has it happened there and everyone looked the other way?

Cheating doesn't even seem to be something that is looked down upon in racing. Just seems like it is an inconvenience that the tracks and racing commissions don't want to deal with.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by moodwalker

If all this is true, why don't they just tell him he can't train anymore. Ever

I don't understand the light sentences here in America. The worst thing about this coming to light is that it is plausible to believe that this was/is a normal thing in not only his barn, but many of the other top operations. If he got caught this time, how many times did he not get caught?

And if Pletcher has a positive that they keep letting him appeal until he wins all the big stakes races and no one will notice in January when he serves, how many times has it happened there and everyone looked the other way?

Cheating doesn't even seem to be something that is looked down upon in racing. Just seems like it is an inconvenience that the tracks and racing commissions don't want to deal with.

You are absolutely right. They get away with cheating 99.9% of the time. It's pretty much a fluke when they get caught. My guess with Asmussen is that they normally have some other drug that they give along with the mepivicaine that masks it, but in this case they forgot to give the masking drug.

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

You are absolutely right. They get away with cheating 99.9% of the time. It's pretty much a fluke when they get caught. My guess with Asmussen is that they normally have some other drug that they give along with the mepivicaine that masks it, but in this case they forgot to give the masking drug.

I had my coffee while reading this article. Very compelling.

It is impossible for me not to believe illegal administration of drugs is very widespread.

The smaller the track, the more drugs are used?

The cheaper the horse.... ditto?

At least NY uses security barns.

Louisiana swung pretty hard as Assmussen. Good for them.

Some thoughts:

1. Pain (or any performance enhancing) drugs should only be administered by track vets, race day or otherwise.

2. Security barns for every track.

3. I'd make these kind of offenses carry non-probationable, mandatory sentences.... i.e., First offense: 1 Year suspension + $50,000 fine, and so on.

In the end, if some of today's fragile horses couldn't run due to the lack of their race day medications and some tracks had to run fewer days or close altogether for lack of entries, that's ok with me.