This afternoon trainer Bob McIntosh commented on the importance of clearing his name after receiving a false positive test for EPO.
"To be falsely accused of a wrongful act was a new experience for me," the veteran horseman told Trot Insider. "The ordeal took an enormous toll on myself, my family and my employees, my close friends gave me tremendous support and the strength to endure the pressure of the allegations."
McIntosh was one of four trainers who received a false positive test for blood doping under The Red Mile's out-of-competition testing policy this fall. The trainers' reputations were restored after sending split samples to the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory for further testing at their own expense.
"I totally support out of competition testing, when the proper testing is followed," stated McIntosh. "Anybody that knows me knows how I feel about chemical trainers and the damage they do to our business."
Each of the trainers indicated that they will not take any further action and that their goal was to restore their reputations.
"I am very proud of my reputation as an honest trainer," said McIntosh. "In this business, all you really have is your reputation. I knew I was innocent and hired attorney Tom Miller to handle the legal issues. My intention from the beginning was to clear my name. I feel that I accomplished that goal."
McIntosh, Canada's leading money-winning trainer for 2008, has banked $4,087,667 from 163 winners.
Glad to hear that the four
Glad to hear that the four trainers were cleared of any wrong-doing. I can't understand why they should have to pay to have the second test done. There should be a refund when the sample is found to be negative. It is not their fault or that of anyone else that the first test is not 100% reliable. As mentioned, the bigger trainers are quite capable of paying the fee but the smaller ones are going to have a tough time. Definitely not fair to anyone.
Then there is the whole issue of the reputation of the accused. This needs to be addressed before too much longer and too many more innocent people are hurt. Get the true offenders and make them pay bigtime but there needs to be a better system in place to do it. We can put a man on the moon so we should be able to figure this one out.
GOOD FOR YOU BOB,JUST MAYBE
GOOD FOR YOU BOB,JUST MAYBE THEY WILL RETHINK EVERYTHING BEFORE THEY PULL THE TRIGGER ON THE NEXT PERSON.THEY SHOULD REVIEW ALOT OF THE OTHER CASES.
Until these guys know what
Until these guys know what they are doing test wise its just a joke.
Makes everyone look bad in the game.
learn the proper tests before you accuse people such as Bob Macintosh.
The way harness racing is
The way harness racing is today it is ruining the lives of innocent horse players who wager their money thinking they are betting on horses that are not chemically drugged. There are so many chemical trainers in the business today that we will never know who is really innocent or guilty. There is so much money to be made it seems like the criminals are out in full force. Until there is better testing to catch these chemical trainers the horse players will always lose. My question is why aren't these chemical trainers that are caught being criminally charged. Maybe that is the only way to stop the chemical trainers.
Yes, glad Bob could afford
Yes, glad Bob could afford to defend himself. What happens to the little guy who cant afford proper defense? Ten years thats what....
In reply to Yes, glad Bob could afford by Anonymous (not verified)
It's not about money, or
It's not about money, or affording it. You do what you believe in and do what is right. Obviously reputation means alot more than money to him.
In reply to Yes, glad Bob could afford by Anonymous (not verified)
A lawyer would be cheaper
A lawyer would be cheaper than ten years, wouldn't it?
Great he was cleared, but
Great he was cleared, but what about all the others who had never been cleared although they claimed innocence? Test is wrong once, could have been wrong many a time.
Testing should be a little more solid before they start ruining peoples lives.
In reply to Great he was cleared, but by Anonymous (not verified)
Then go the distance to
Then go the distance to prove innocence. The ones who were never cleared should have. Even though the test was not reliable, there are ways to clear your name and get a test done correctly.
Bob i am proud of you to
Bob i am proud of you to spend that money to clear your name because somebody like you has always had a good reputation. It shows that they are not always right because they think they are never wrong. Continue your honest work, good luck.