Comments on: ASMUSSEN, DUTROW POSITIVES: LIDOCAINE, CLENBUTEROL EXPLAINED

By: Al

Al — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:28:39 +0000

Clenbuterol is probably the most abused substance in racing today. I hear that many trainers are using the injectable form, I think from Canada, at bridle time or even on the way over to the paddock. The injection is directly into the throat and the effect is immediate with the detection difficult. I believe at least one track on the east coast is taking a close look at this practice, one that has been going on for sometime now and they may even have a few high percentage trainers in their sights.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:36:56 +0000

I’m not defending either one of the trainers, but they are acting like all 74 violations for Asmussen are for drug violations. They aren’t. I know 19 violations for a horse testing positive isn’t a good record, but some medications are legal, just not on race day, and it could be the horse just didn’t metabolize the medication as fast as they thought it would. Also some of the older violations are for medications that are now legal to use. I hate it that the racing industry is getting such a kick in the face, when the use of medications extends to all areas in the horse industry, not just the racing world. I don’t think the truth has been sugar coated, it’s all out there in black and white for the world to see. I do think the “sensationalization” has hurt the industry, most people just read the headlines and believe them as the truth. They don’t look into the rulings and see how many are actual rulings due to postive drug tests.

By: Eagle One

Eagle One — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:42:40 +0000

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Dutrow’s 72 violations — 13 medication violations — are put into perspective when one considers that the trainer Larry Jones reportedly has only had one ALLEGATION in 25 years. Thanks to the Paulick Report for not sugar coating the truth. Greater transparency and accountability can only help racing rebound from this challenging time.

By: Citation1947

Citation1947 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:56:30 +0000

“Iâ€™m not defending Mr. Dutrow but, most of the drug positives are for permissible medications that are administered by a veterinarian”

Perhaps if that was always the case. The real truth is that it is much cheaper to purchase these medications and administer them yourself. It is not uncommon for many of these trainers to have in their possession various types of injectable drugs.

That within itself is against the rules of racing.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:21:08 +0000

I think your headlines are extremely misleading……I looked at the rulings for Mr. Dutrow and it appears that many of the “72 Violations did NOT involve drugs…..lack of colors,foal papers , late to the paddock etc…sloppy business practices.

I think your sensationalization is not helpful at this time.

I’m not defending Mr. Dutrow but, most of the drug positives are for permissible medications that are administered by a veterinarian…..horses metabolize drugs at different rates…which can result in an unintended overage.

Mr. Dutrow himself has talked about his checkered past that involves the rulings for pot,bad checks etc.
I did not look at all the rulings for Mr.Asmussen but I would not be surprised if many of the ruling were similar.

A more honest story would focus on the drug positives, especially those that did not involve overages of permissible medications.

Regards,
Mary

By: Citation1947

Citation1947 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:51:35 +0000

So whats new? These guys and many other trainers around the country have been drugging horses for many many years and have been allowed to get away with it.

Make a list of the top 20 trainers in America and 80% of them are cheating. That you can take to the bank!