PA Racing

[jnunan4759]

Just horrible things coming out at the Murray Rojas federal trial. I can't believe they've let it go so far and get so out of hand. I bred and raced in PA for over 20 years until it got to the point I couldn't cover expenses. I'm not going to name names, but it's common knowledge. Stephanie Beattie said in court "Everybody does it". Does that make it right ? No, but you have to make a living. Horrible culture that was let happen by the state.

Most of the medication stuff was not crazy. However, it was all illegal on race day and administered illegally. As far as we know it was not frog juice and snake venom, but sometimes common medications, but administered on race day, very illegal. Often done to farm shippers.

When this is exposed, the public loses trust. The most important thing US Racing, or any racing, must have is trust. If I think a game is crooked or fixed, I'm out.

Unfortunately, I think PA racing is doomed. Nobody wants it. The tracks are all casinos and racing is a burden. The state makes more money on slots and has less administrative costs.

I think it's a disgrace that they have let this stuff go on for so long. People were doping the crap out of horses forever at Keystone/Philly Park/Parx forever. That is why I got out.

[jms62]

"See something say something"

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by jnunan4759

Just horrible things coming out at the Murray Rojas federal trial. I can't believe they've let it go so far and get so out of hand. I bred and raced in PA for over 20 years until it got to the point I couldn't cover expenses. I'm not going to name names, but it's common knowledge. Stephanie Beattie said in court "Everybody does it". Does that make it right ? No, but you have to make a living. Horrible culture that was let happen by the state.

Most of the medication stuff was not crazy. However, it was all illegal on race day and administered illegally. As far as we know it was not frog juice and snake venom, but sometimes common medications, but administered on race day, very illegal. Often done to farm shippers.

When this is exposed, the public loses trust. The most important thing US Racing, or any racing, must have is trust. If I think a game is crooked or fixed, I'm out.

Unfortunately, I think PA racing is doomed. Nobody wants it. The tracks are all casinos and racing is a burden. The state makes more money on slots and has less administrative costs.

I think it's a disgrace that they have let this stuff go on for so long. People were doping the crap out of horses forever at Keystone/Philly Park/Parx forever. That is why I got out.

Have you scene the Florida Busted list? While many of the drugs aren't so called nefarious the sheer breathe of overages on therapeutic "stuff" was staggering.

As one of our fellow board members emailed me yesterday and I quote its the "Wild West" out there. It's not going to change its been this way forever just have to accept it or stop watching. It would cost ungodly amounts of money to have ever horse monitored 24/7 and certified 3rd party vet's being the only ones that could touch them, even then nothing is perfect.

Very hard topic seems like most people are outraged over cheaper horses vs. the "better" stock I guess cheating with slower horses seems more distasteful..I dont know it is what it is people will always cheat IF they think they can get away with it

[jms62]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Have you scene the Florida Busted list? While many of the drugs aren't so called nefarious the sheer breathe of overages on therapeutic "stuff" was staggering.

As one of our fellow board members emailed me yesterday and I quote its the "Wild West" out there. It's not going to change its been this way forever just have to accept it or stop watching. It would cost ungodly amounts of money to have ever horse monitored 24/7 and certified 3rd party vet's being the only ones that could touch them, even then nothing is perfect.

Very hard topic seems like most people are outraged over cheaper horses vs. the "better" stock I guess cheating with slower horses seems more distasteful..I dont know it is what it is people will always cheat IF they think they can get away with it

I think the pressure has to come from the owners if we want any change. Right now it is an arms race. You get caught your assistant takes over. What I think has some teeth is you get caught ALL horses under your care are not allowed to run (hopefully anywhere) if tracks get together even if transferred to another barn. Just my opinion, coming at it from a different angle which I think will work.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by jms62

I think the pressure has to come from the owners if we want any change. Right now it is an arms race. You get caught your assistant takes over. What I think has some teeth is you get caught ALL horses under your care are not allowed to run (hopefully anywhere) if tracks get together even if transferred to another barn. Just my opinion, coming at it from a different angle which I think will work.

First of all there is due process after you get "caught", that can take months, so during that time your horses aren't going anywhere nor should they be right?

[jms62]

Originally Posted by freddymo

First of all there is due process after you get "caught", that can take months, so during that time your horses aren't going anywhere nor should they be right?

Of course not Freddie I understand due process. Once you are convicted all horses under your care at the time of the violation even if transferred. The object here is to have those paying the bills put the pressure on the trainers to play by the rules. Hopefully if you summarily discard my idea you will counter with one of your own cause the status quo isn't where we should be.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by jms62

Of course not Freddie I understand due process. Once you are convicted all horses under your care at the time of the violation even if transferred. The object here is to have those paying the bills put the pressure on the trainers to play by the rules. Hopefully if you summarily discard my idea you will counter with one of your own cause the status quo isn't where we should be.

What makes you think owners arent the people putting the pressure on the trainers to cheat?
Shock waving a horse can be therapeutic, although I would assume time in mant situations, would serve just as well, but time is expensive. People are funny they hear some nickel rag claimer is shock waved to run better etc. and they are outraged, Nyquist not so much, he had to make it back faster to run in important stakes and that seems OK with many. I dont distinguish the two but thats just me