Pletcher BC positive; Hearing pending

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Interesting reading comprehension you have there. What I said was the people making the arguements were astute players. But I guess twisting words when you have no real arguement works also.

I'll ask again, what do you think the cause of the sudden drop off is? Did you happen to see the data I provided concerning Pletcher's grade 1 wins the last few years? How do you explain that? Bad luck? Not enough horses?

Pletchers downfall started right about when Presque Isle opened up, right?

Coincidence??????

I think this makes a lot of sense Riot!

[CSC]

For the record Todd Pletcher has already been suspended for 45 days by N.Y stewards for one of his horse's testing positive for mepivacaine, an anesthetic that has "a high potential to affect performance." in a race he won at Saratoga in 2004. Biancone, Dutrow, Lake and Asmussen are others that have all served notable suspensions(30 days to 1 year). I'll leave it up to each and every individual here to come up with their own conclusions who juices and who doesn't.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by CSC

For the record Todd Pletcher has already been suspended for 45 days by N.Y stewards for one of his horse's testing positive for mepivacaine, an anesthetic that has "a high potential to affect performance." in a race he won at Saratoga in 2004. Biancone, Dutrow, Lake and Asmussen are others that have all served notable suspensions(30 days to 1 year). I'll leave it up to each and every individual here to come up with their own conclusions who juices and who doesn't.

That's just mean and crazy talk man!

Until TP comes out and announces to the world that he is a juicer, I refuse to believe that it's even possible!

I refuse!!

No! No! No! No! NO!

Lalalalalalalala. I can't hearrrr youuuu!

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

That's just mean and crazy talk man!

Until TP comes out and announces to the world that he is a juicer, I refuse to believe that it's even possible!

I refuse!!

No! No! No! No! NO!

Lalalalalalalala. I can't hearrrr youuuu!

fine work sir

[Riot]

Originally Posted by CSC

For the record Todd Pletcher has already been suspended for 45 days by N.Y stewards for one of his horse's testing positive for mepivacaine, an anesthetic that has "a high potential to affect performance." in a race he won at Saratoga in 2004..

But the tiny level found in Pletcher's horse wasn't enough to be able to affect performance. Today that same level is an allowable level under NY racing rules. See post 57.

Todd Pletcher could possibly be the biggest juicer in the business. But, as the guy has a completely inconsequential drug record to date, I'll reserve awarding him that title until he earns it.

Other trainers are currently far, far more deserving.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Riot

But the tiny level found in Pletcher's horse wasn't enough to be able to affect performance. Today that same level is an allowable level under NY racing rules. See post 57.

Todd Pletcher could possibly be the biggest juicer in the business. But, as the guy has a completely inconsequential drug record to date, I'll reserve awarding him that title until he earns it.

Other trainers are currently far, far more deserving.

I don't know if I'd call a 45 day suspension inconsequential, I understand where you are coming from, you need to see the smoking gun in the hand before you can convict so to speak...I for one think it's beneficial to look at all the factors as they have been cited here numerous times already, to ignore them I believe one is not completely looking at the entire picture here.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by CSC

I don't know if I'd call a 45 day suspension inconsequential, I understand where you are coming from, you need to see the smoking gun in the hand before you can convict so to speak...I for one think it's beneficial to look at all the factors as they have been cited here numerous times already, to ignore them I believe one is not completely looking at the entire picture here.

Pletcher was guilty, it was a positive under the rules then, I wouldn't have voted to give him a complete pass.

However - when I compare Pletcher's positive for a whiff of mepivicaine (and the procaine), to Biancone's, "I didn't know the cobra venom was in my barn" and Rod Stewart's, "My wife emptied the fridge and I didn't know either" - then add in Biancone's past (international) history, and Pletcher's past history - well, Pletcher isn't the one I'm going to turn up my nose in disgust at.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Riot

However - when I compare Pletcher's positive for a whiff of mepivicaine (and the procaine), to Biancone's, "I didn't know the cobra venom was in my barn" and Rod Stewart's, "My wife emptied the fridge and I didn't know either" - then add in Biancone's past (international) history, and Pletcher's past history - well, Pletcher isn't the one I'm going to turn up my nose in disgust at.

So basically, what you're saying is that a guy who's had two seperate horses (that won or placed in races) with significant levels of local anesthetic in their systems during the immediate post-race period looks rosier than a guy who had an unused vial of illegal medication sitting in a refridgerator.

That's like saying you'd prefer to be driving along the freeway with a drunk driver, rather than a guy with a dimebag in his glove compartment.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

So basically, what you're saying is that a guy who's had two seperate horses (that won or placed in races) with significant levels of local anesthetic in their systems during the immediate post-race period looks rosier than a guy who had an unused vial of illegal medication sitting in a refridgerator.

That's like saying you'd prefer to be driving along the freeway with a drunk driver, rather than a guy with a dimebag in his glove compartment.

The levels were not "significant". They were low.

Pletcher had a positive for mepivicaine, a Class 2 therapeutic drug (a therapeutic med that has "potential to impact performance") at such a low level that it is now legal.

And he has a positive for procaine, a Class 3 therapeutic med with "little to no ability to impact performance".

Biancone was guilty of having prohibited drugs on the racetrack grounds in his barn. It wasn't just cobra venom, it was also levodopa and carbidopa (last two drugs used to treat nerve tremors in humans with Parkinson's).

All three drugs being Class A violations (the ultimate) for simply having them on racetrack grounds; Class A drugs have "the highest potential to impact racing performance with zero therapeutic benefit to horses".

There are currently no tests whatsoever to detect these three drugs in the horse. Cobra venom is a local anesthetic that's been around for some time. It's only use at the racetrack is to try and create anesthesia that cannot be detected.

Yes. I absolutely view Pletcher's violations as far less serious than Biancone's. As a veterinarian, I don't take a violation of the racing rules, or potential horse abuse, lightly.

To use your analogy, Pletcher is driving after having a Coors Light; while Biancones glove compartment is filled with heroin and angel dust, and he's speeding down the highway in the wrong lane with his eyes closed.