Reports indicate that four horses in Kentucky to race at The Red Mile for Grand Circuit week have tested positive for EPO.
According to a report in today's Herald-Leader, the names of the horses, trainers, and owners involved may never be publicized as the testing came under the authority of the track and not the state's regulatory body – the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
Jim Carroll, a spokesman for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, told the Herald-Leader that the state has "no authority for out-of-competition testing and so cannot use the test results to charge anyone under the state's drug rules."
Red Mile president, Joe Costa stated that the four horses – all of which were scratched – were from four different trainers and that the horses' owners were "shocked" upon hearing that their horses were scratched. One of the four will reportedly forfeit purse money.
Costa continued to say that perhaps 100 horses have been tested by racing commission vets, but also that the track has no jurisdiction to inform other tracks of its findings.
"I'm not sure exactly what we can do," Costa told the Herald-Leader. "The Red Mile has chose to put itself in uncharted water."
To read the full article in the Herald-Leader, click here.
Its amazing these people are
Its amazing these people are so stupid to think they can get away with it. Why use it! It only kills your horse and its a positive. DAH!
Does this industry seriously
Does this industry seriously wonder why its handle has dropped drastically?
Trainers that have beeen
Trainers that have beeen caught should have an asterisk beside their name in the program when there suspension is finished, then maybe there name and income would be a little tarnished, with future owners and such. You should never have gamblers guessing, and the only talk around tracks now a days is what "fuel" guys(gals) are using, I think this has been the case for a while in the paddocks, but is fairly new in the grandstands. How can we expect Joe The Plumber to come to the races and not have the trust that, what he sees on paper is close to what hes gonna get on the track. I have seen too many horses with pitiful steers just keep coming in the last few years, there is no question these horse have been "helped", and not just with a class, driver or post position change. That for racing is not good. At the least, let them know who has it, and has not been afraid to use it. Oh forget it, because as soon as the new gambler shows up and sees that question mark, their gone.
Note: Its too bad that the trainers have to take the fall here as there are likely many owners aware of what is going on as well as grooms and such, but who else to blame other than the ultimate "caretaker" of the horse.
Why aren't the trainers
Why aren't the trainers being charged for doping horses, the same way as humans are being charged when they are caught with narcotics? The integrity of the horse racing industry has been lost. It seems to me that there is so much money to be made by the drivers, trainers, and owners that money is the root cause of these illigal activities.
You would think that they
You would think that they would release the names of the horses and trainers of these four horses. It would be for the betterment of racing if they did. I can't understand how purse money was forfieted if the horses were scratched....No wonder there is is decline in racing wagering,the bettor,MUST be protected at all times because he is the lifeline for racing. Another black mark for racing...they keep doing it to themselves and people with no GUTS calling the shots.
Are their hands really tied,
Are their hands really tied, or is it a way of copping out of the responsibility of assuring that racing integrity remains intact? Where will it all lead? Maybe the future of harness racing will be better off as a spectator sport without pari-mutuel wagering, and have them race for purses only. This way Joe Public's pocketbook is not in danger of the invasive, unscrupulous intents of shady horsemen. Are most of today's quick miles (sub 1:50) attributed to superb breeding and training, or has the ability to mask performance enhancing drugs reached its zenith? Back in the early 80's here in Ontario, Canada eyebrows were raised when a horse went sub 2 miutes at an "A" rated track. Nowadays, if you don't have a horse that can pace in 1:53, your chance of grabbing the lion's share of the purse is remote. Thanks for taking the time for my comment.
It really does make one want
It really does make one want to get out of the business. We keep hanging in, hoping something will finally be done in every jurisdiction in North America. Apparently these trainers that have to depend on this type of drug are not as good at training as the public and owners of those horses thought they were.
If all four of the horses
If all four of the horses that apparently tested positive were scatched, how is ther any money for the owner to forfeit? No racing , no winnings.
mabe we should find out all
mabe we should find out all the facts before we start convicting people
Your absolutely right
Your absolutely right Sharon. It's a very sad state of affairs when the long arm of justice reaches out to rectify a problem and gets slapped around by litigation, letting the criminal retreat to a safe and neutral corner why the rest of the racing world looks on in disgust.
What else is new!! This is
What else is new!! This is one reason I want out of this business. Why would I raise horses to be injected with JUNK!!
Another black mark on Racing
Another black mark on Racing , just like track and field