March 6, 2007
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I hope that the innocent trainers are reinstated ASAP. With these new drugs, a lot of work has to go into the investigations. The people looking into these infractions could do a better job if more was known about the drug in question. I will welcome the day when all is sorted out in a legal way that will give a warning to anybody thinking of using drugs.
Philip Dawson
Oshawa, Ont.
I recognize this site is used a lot more by horsemen than the general racing fan, but what I think is being overlooked here is that the public has lost confidence in the sport to police itself. As a long time fan (30 years) who has also owned horses, and was a major bettor, you have totally lost me. I still watch the races and pay attention to entries and results but do not have the confidence to bet five cents. If it weren't for the betting public you wouldn't have a sport or industry. Thumbs up to the ORC for doing something to try and win the true fan back.
John Southwell
Toronto, Ont.
I applaud the governing body for finally trying to clean up the sport. If you were to ask people who no longer go to the races, I would guess that the majority would say words like "cheating, integrity, drugs, and lack of honesty". In all jurisdictions, it is the job of the regulators to get these people out of the industry and bring back a sense of integrity and true horsemanship.
Scott Waddell
Saint John, N.B.
Keep it going so I and other bettors might return to the track. Hope you take it to the Maritimes.
Keith MacLeod
Charlottetown, PEI
Only in harness racing do we put our top performers in detention because their numbers are too high. Take peoples' livelihood away and tarnish/ruin their reputations forever before they are charged with anything! The ORC or any racing Commission has no right!! This is Canada and the last time I looked in our system you are innocent… until… proven guilty.
Ken St. John
Beaver Bank, N.S.
In my opinion there is an enormous amount of doubt surrounding the Aminorex case that someone should publish. There have been statements made by vets who say there are many ways this drug could have gotten into the horses' systems, some being environmental and/or contamination. I feel so let down by a lot of people in the standardbred industry for immediately presuming these guys are guilty. What ever happened to due process? It will be a sad day in harness racing when the ORC/WEG result to inaccurate/unjust testing just to take down someone that is successful therefore must be using illegal drugs.
Sarah Anthon
Guelph, Ont.
Bravo to Woodbine Entertainment and the ORC! Their move against the individuals with positive tests has given me hope. As a newcomer to the sport I was ready to pack it in until I realized there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Mimi Lecain
Halifax, N.S.
I strongly believe that illegal drugs in racing needs to be stopped and very strong fines and penalties for those guilty, but, in this country to be guilty until proven innocent is totally outrageous. I believe that all affected horse owners (horses that can't race because of a 30 day freeze) should start a class action lawsuit against the those involved, for lost income while these horses they own are sitting in limbo waiting for this problem to be resolved. To me it is very obvious that there very well may be a flaw in the testing system (as was the case in Pennsylvania), yet the ORC seems to not care about our large investment in the sport, and there are a lot of innocent owners being penalized.
Jamie Millier
Puslinch, Ont.
Drivers should stick together when tracks play judge and jury and not drive at that track. Racetracks are not the ORC - convictions and suspensions should be left to it.
Don Perrin
Haliburton, Ont.
I know we live in a country where we are presumed innocent until proven guilty, but enough is enough. I compare it to the immediate 90 day license suspension for people charge with impaired driving in Ontario. Society has had enough of the carnage on our highways, and the horsemen and women have had enough cheating at our racetracks!
Paul
Chatham, Ont.
Having been a regular bettor for at least 45 years, I think my knowledge of the situation could have some merit. My background around horses was as a groom when I was younger, and also held a trainers license for a short period. As far as administering drugs to horses, we all know it is something that has been going on forever, and will go on forever. There will always be somebody trying to get an edge.
The WEG group comes out with a statement saying the bettor has lost confidence in betting their product because of the doping that has gone on. I say the bettor couldn't care less who is drugging their horse. Bettors care about cashing a ticket, period. WEG says wagering is down; maybe they should look at the product they now put out. Is there anything more boring than watching racing on the Woodbine and Mohawk 7/8ths ovals? The old days of Greenwood and Mohawk had much more appeal. While once a regular wagerer at WEG, I now would rather bet the B-tracks, London Grand River, Windsor etc… I don't remember the last time I made a wager on the WEG product.
John Sarino
Mississauga, Ont.
I applaud WEG for taking a stand and banning the horsemen in question. I do, however, have an issue with people being deprived of there livelihood when no formal charges have been laid. If these people are found to be guilty of what is alleged, then ban then for life! But - and it is a big But - surely they are entitled to due process.
Ian Dow
Orton, Ont.
I thank WEG and the ORC for trying to instill integrity in the standardbred racing industry by taking the action they have in regards to the onslaught of positive tests that have been found to be present in racehorses at Woodbine and other Ontario tracks. It is unfortunate that it effects the livelihood of the owners and trainers involved but should we go around with a blind eye and let the industry go to the dogs because of a lack of effort to address issues such as we have in the industry? At the end of the day results will speak for themselves and I'm sure fairness will prevail.
David Gage
Brantford, Ont.
Any opinions and views expressed are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Trot Magazine or Standardbred Canada.