tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post9089049893429028468..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Ten Years, Too LongAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-21765577915941791552011-11-24T10:21:35.146-05:002011-11-24T10:21:35.146-05:00If you read that blog and the comments (which disc...If you read that blog and the comments (which discuss training methods, specifically the disappearence of the "blow out", which Dutrow still uses), the reason you rarely see true "blowouts" anymore is most horses breeze on Lasix, and it would not be wise to breeze on Lasix two days before a race, it dehydrates them too much. A blow out would need to be done sans' lasix. <br /><br />You also would not want to "blow out" a sore horse or you might blow a tire.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-25885657149561456002011-11-24T10:12:00.675-05:002011-11-24T10:12:00.675-05:00Thx ChrisThx ChrisFiglessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-81797489286118828622011-11-23T22:32:37.491-05:002011-11-23T22:32:37.491-05:00Figless said...
I was once told by a horseman ...Figless said...<br /> I was once told by a horseman that Dutrow was dangerous because he was an excellent horseman, AND he pushes the envelope.<br /><br />This blog makes the same point.<br /><br />http://thoroedge.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/the-curious-case-of-richard-dutrow-conditioning-genius-or-drug-cheat/<br /><br />cheers, ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-39047328680565552512011-11-23T09:02:52.263-05:002011-11-23T09:02:52.263-05:00Dutrows rap sheet sure reads like a addict being d...Dutrows rap sheet sure reads like a addict being derelict in his duties more than a cheater, at least until recently. Sloppy management from an arrogant fool. <br /><br />I suspect they all got tired of his act.<br /><br />Not to excuse his behavior, of course, its the inconsitancy that rubs me wrong.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-78272033500441208642011-11-23T08:48:58.516-05:002011-11-23T08:48:58.516-05:00Four steps :)
**Gate Crews need to be licensed an...Four steps :)<br /><br />**Gate Crews need to be licensed and bonded, in no other industry are such underpaid people place in the position of effecting millions of dollars of investments without any scrutiny whatsoever.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-78929085041231949392011-11-23T08:46:52.931-05:002011-11-23T08:46:52.931-05:00I was once told by a horseman that Dutrow was dang...I was once told by a horseman that Dutrow was dangerous because he was an excellent horseman, AND he pushes the envelope.<br /><br />Far from the only one however, but clearly the most intransigent.<br /><br />But I tend to agree with Alan on this, it accomplishes nothing to scapegoat, and thats clearly what happened here. <br /><br />To truly have an impact three steps need to be taken;<br /><br />1.) Finally standardize levels of medication across jurisdictions, with true science behind the levels allowed or disallowed, not sure some racing boards interpretation.<br /><br />2.) Publicize and clarify the rules and the penalties in a "three strikes and you're out manner", with amnesty for prior offenses.<br /><br />3.) Put teeth in the penalties, including banning all horses in the offending barn for a significant period (and yes, the offending owner too, sorry, but too many of the "hot trainer du juor"'s over the year has the same owner base (think (names readacted) guys like that who couldnt train a dog to sit and suddenly had 40% win rates).)<br /><br />4. And last, and most importantly, enforce these rules equitably, whethar a Grade One or a 5k claimer. The appeal process should be spelled out in advance, with a reasonable time for due diligence, but absolutely no plea bargain deals. Do the crime, do the time, as immediately as possible with no exceptions for Stakes races. ALL horses are suspended during the appeal, that will get the process moving.<br /><br />Once done you can get to work on the stewards, jockeys and incompetant gate crews (my pet peeve) that also taint the game.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-77822186954373607582011-11-23T08:45:25.544-05:002011-11-23T08:45:25.544-05:00Steve, most of those 64 violations weren't med...Steve, most of those 64 violations weren't medication violations, which is not to excuse or defend him.<br /><br /><a href="https://docs.google.com/a/brooklynbackstretch.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B265yMMHh7KJMWJjYTFhOGQtYzlkNC00MjM1LWFmMWUtYTAwMzE1ZTI1NWEz&hl=en_US" rel="nofollow">Here's the list.</a> It's not current, only goes to 2008.Teresahttp://www.brooklynbackstretch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-87630518641190983512011-11-22T22:23:34.212-05:002011-11-22T22:23:34.212-05:00Remember Alan that Dutrow has been nailed, what, 6...Remember Alan that Dutrow has been nailed, what, 64 times? And although some may have been nano-quantities, if this doesn't constitute a pattern, what does?<br /><br />Perhaps 10 years is a bit much, but there does need to be some real bite in the penalty regime. It isn't about coddling me or any other bettor - it is simply enforcing the basic rules of the game to ensure fairness, and some measure of form.<br /><br />How are we supposed to play when faced with a horse like Associate, who moved up 30 Beyer points after being claimed away from 19% trainer Linda Rice, despite having already tried the surface & distance numerous times. And then, does he bounce next race? No, he does it again. Why? That should be investigated.<br /><br />Dutrow's not the only one, but he's one who got caught. I'm not under the illusion that this or any other game will ever be totally clean, but we can do much better than the current "give the horses to the assistant for a month or three and train by phone" system.<br /><br />Others have come up with some sensible ideas, including penalizing owners on an increasing scale, so they would become, we hope, once caught, twice shy of shady trainers.<br /><br />To me, banned substances are a totally different thing than "we were using that race as a prep." Sports bettors know that regular season games are not the same as playoff games and need to figure accordingly<br /><br />But they shouldn't have to worry about one player or team suddenly being allowed to cork the bat or put goo on the ball. (If Perry had been caught 64 times, would you have advocated another 2 inning suspension?)<br /><br />Maybe it was the shoes, or the ever-popular throat surgery, but when Associate came back 15 lengths faster less than 2 months after being claimed from Linda Rice, it sure looked like he had the horse racing version of a corked bat, delivered by syringe from the trainer caught with a syringe in his barn.<br /><br />I for one hope this is Dutrow's last winning streak, and that they start freezing samples and requiring trainers to face criminal penalties if future tests reveal current cheating.steve in nchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04061356872686618093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-13615695975273727732011-11-22T17:53:32.344-05:002011-11-22T17:53:32.344-05:00Reform must start somewhere, why not with Dutrow? ...Reform must start somewhere, why not with Dutrow? Heck, take it one step further and say why not start with all of Dutrow's win-at-any-cost owners who continue to support a man they KNOW cheats? <br /><br />Reform must start somewhere. Today Dutrow, tomorrow P. Val and on Friday lets look at Henry Witt and his trainer Dudley Grahm. <br /><br />My problem isn't exactly with the fact that the bettors are getting screwed (although their screwing makes industry growth stagnate); my issue is that when the rules are broken, often times the horse is abused to do so. Sure, the drug may mask the pain and the horse wins but if he is in enough pain that he needs to be drugged then he shouldn't be in the race to begin with. And AFTER the race (assuming he lives) his issue is just going to be that much worse.<br /><br />Reform must start somewhere. Draw and quarter the MF and move onto the next cheater.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com