Another negative NYT article timed with BC

[Buckpasser]

.....Biancone and Asmussen are not alone: more than a half-dozen other trainers with multiple and serious drug violations will have contenders in the starting gate of one of thoroughbred racing’s greatest events.

Tom Ludt, a member of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.........“I’ve been down the road of thinking that everyone cheats, and I’ve been down the road of thinking that no one cheats,” he said. “Until we come up with universal rules that everyone wants to enforce, it’s going to be complicated.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/sp...r=1&ref=sports

Typically hatchet job from Joe Drape published to coincide with BC.

[johnny pinwheel]

yeah , but his story is very accurate. its actually pretty good journalism. the timing is suspicious as you stated. these stories would go away if the industry gave tougher penalties. if the penalties were tied to owners as well, i think things would change real quickly. as he stated these guys get clients because they win. if "winning" means getting popped for positives and they drag the owners through it as well, this would end real fast. in other words start suspending the trainers, the horse and the owner. the current system is a vacation for the trainer, who is a "fall guy". while his buddy or family member continues the business. it reminds me of high school when they gave me a 5 day suspension. "thanks for the punishment!!!....lol"

[SuffolkGirl]

Another piece of fine work from Joe Drape - anyone know why he has such an ax to grind against Thoroughbred racing? And hey, kudos to the NYTimes for publishing this, thanks for the support. Honestly the timing is just awful. It would be one thing if this were one article about horse racing among many in the Sports section, but to be the only one? Shame on the NYTimes

[reese]

Originally Posted by SuffolkGirl

Another piece of fine work from Joe Drape - anyone know why he has such an ax to grind against Thoroughbred racing? And hey, kudos to the NYTimes for publishing this, thanks for the support. Honestly the timing is just awful. It would be one thing if this were one article about horse racing among many in the Sports section, but to be the only one? Shame on the NYTimes

Kudos to the NYT for tellling "IT LIKE IT IS"

Why shouldn't this problem get attention, and the best time, obviously, is when the sport is in the spotlight. Steroids were banned in most racing jurisdictions AFTER Dutow blabbed about Big Brown before the Belmont.

The steroid issue in the spotlight made the steroid problem "go away"
What is the difference in this scenerio?

[philcski]

"In fact, of the top 10 American-based trainers in purse winnings this year, only one, Christophe Clement, has never been cited for a medication violation, according to industry records."

LOL

The article isn't terrible, it's factually correct, but as usual with Drape the timing sucks.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by reese

Kudos to the NYT for tellling "IT LIKE IT IS"

Why shouldn't this problem get attention, and the best time, obviously, is when the sport is in the spotlight. Steroids were banned in most racing jurisdictions AFTER Dutow blabbed about Big Brown before the Belmont.

The steroid issue in the spotlight made the steroid problem "go away"
What is the difference in this scenerio?

This is an opinion piece posing as news. There is no new news, nothing that hasnt already been said over and over again. And interestingly enough the same writer seems to break this storyline out for every big event.

And since you brought up steroids, how exactly has that ban changed anything? As far as I can tell it hasn't changed perceptions or results.

I dont read the NYT on a regular basis but perhaps they could have run the story "Admitted drug cheats Pettite and Arod celebrate World Series Win" story this morning?

They arent covering the event, they are sensationalizing an old story. But considering the writer and paper that isnt a shocker.

[reese]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

This is an opinion piece posing as news. There is no new news, nothing that hasnt already been said over and over again. And interestingly enough the same writer seems to break this storyline out for every big event.

And since you brought up steroids, how exactly has that ban changed anything? As far as I can tell it hasn't changed perceptions or results.
I dont read the NYT on a regular basis but perhaps they could have run the story "Admitted drug cheats Pettite and Arod celebrate World Series Win" story this morning?

They arent covering the event, they are sensationalizing an old story. But considering the writer and paper that isnt a shocker.

So you are saying, Tb's still race on steroids and the steroid ban is a facade?
Maybe some states still allow "raceday steroids" or don't test for them, you'd know that.


In NY, steroids are banned medications in post raceday race horse drug test results. Notoriety worked there. Or are you saying, steroid ban is ignored in NY as well and every state that has this rule, and the NYT article on drugs is nothing but grandststanding becasue the steroid hubbub is a facade and horses race on steroids" "That is your point, isn't it"?

[SuffolkGirl]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

This is an opinion piece posing as news. There is no new news, nothing that hasnt already been said over and over again. And interestingly enough the same writer seems to break this storyline out for every big event.

And since you brought up steroids, how exactly has that ban changed anything? As far as I can tell it hasn't changed perceptions or results.

I dont read the NYT on a regular basis but perhaps they could have run the story "Admitted drug cheats Pettite and Arod celebrate World Series Win" story this morning?

They arent covering the event, they are sensationalizing an old story. But considering the writer and paper that isnt a shocker.

Exactly - it would be different if this were on the Opinion page but it is in the Sports Section. It is NOT reporting it is opinion.