NYT Series: "Mangled Horses, Maimed Jockeys"

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

but maybe it opened a few eyes in state gov't?

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...e-drug-testing

im not naive enough to expect change...but its a start

This is actually a frighteningly naive approach that will certainly not do a damn bit of good but will provide cover for the state officials that have proven to be incapable of regulating thier own jurisdiction properly.

The entire out of competition testing thing is a red herring as there are very few things that would have value on raceday that are given 40 days out. Perhaps blood doping but pretty much nothing else. The thing is that the vast majority of positives are called on normal medications at minute levels. You cant do out of competition testing on things that are legal to give. Is it a good tool to have if you have a reasonably good idea that someone is blooddoping? Sure but it doesnt solve most issues and certainly has almost no effect on soundness issues. The idea that you can penalize a trainer for excessive doses of "painkillers" or other drugs usually allowed to treat horses when you have no idea when a horse will be entered is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

When the executive Director of the racing comission says "I hope we have more positives" the problem you have runs far deeper than what goes on at the track.


And yeah that $45k increase....seriously? 45k?