PENN NATIONAL JOCKEYS TAKE OFF WEDNESDAY RACES WITH GILL HORSES
Beginning with Wednesday night’s program, Penn National again began accepting entries of horses owned by Michael Gill, but at scratch time on Saturday morning, the majority of jockeys named in four races where Gill’s horses were entered opted not to be checked in on the overnight sheet.
Jockey Jose Baez, named on Gill’s horses, was the only jockey listed to ride in races three and four, with 10 and 12 horses in each field, respectively; Baez was named to ride for Gill in the fifth, with two other riders, Abel Mariano and L.B. Quinones, also accepting mounts in the 10-horse field; in the eighth, with Baez again riding for Gill, Stacey Zavala and David Cardoso were the only others named in 12-horse field.
According to sources, Penn National management urged jockeys to ride, at the risk of being fined. Chris McErlean, vice president of racing for Penn National Gaming, would not comment regarding any potential sanctions against jockeys refusing to ride.
The standoff began last Saturday night when jockeys refused to ride in future races that included horses owned by Gill after one of the New Hampshire-based owner’s horses broke down in the fifth race of the night. It was the second breakdown in three nights by horses owned by Gill. Penn National management has asked the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission to investigate.
Click here to see Penn National entries for Wednesday night.
Tags: Abel Mariano, chris mcerlean, David Cardoso, Jose Baez, L. B. Quinones, Michael Gill, Paulick Report, penn national, pennsylvania state horse racing commission, Stacey Zavala
January 30th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Bravo to the jockeys sticking to there guns! Penn wants to fine them? Let’s see, Get fined or risk my life riding behind one of Gill’s Horses? Seems like a no brainer to me…
January 30th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Okay Folks,
Let’s support these jockeys that refuse to ride. I suggest everyone one of us ‘Adopt-A-Jockey’ (we can share jockeys to raise the funds) and donate a certain amount of money each time a rider turns down a race because of the situation. The track is going to try to pressure them to ride by threatening fines, etc. Well, the least we can do is make sure these guys and gals have some money to survive the coming storm. They risk their lives everyday and they don’t need further risks dumped on them.
The average jockey in this sport barely gets by on the pittance they are paid as is for ‘riding fees.’ I’m sick of it (and don’t get me started on how many exercise riders, grooms, and hotwalkers are paid).
What say you all? Even if you pledged a dollar each time a certain rider had to walk away from a mount it would help. If we band together on this and support the jockeys change will hopefully come. If not, fans will continue to flee this sport.
January 30th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Way to go guys! Keep putting the pressure on this maniac.
January 30th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
kudos to the jockeys at penn national. it proves they have a pair where their management does not. now maybe gill will get the message they are serious.
January 30th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Haligator, Great Idea! I am all for it! “Adopt-A-Jockey” to offset the fines that will most likely be handed down…
Mr. Paulick, If enough fans step up and back these jockeys, Maybe a fund somehow could be started? If so, I will donate $100.00 to such a fund, I hope many follow and show their support and one can only wish that Gill will be banned from Penn National and these brave souls can get back to riding…
January 30th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
All this will do for Penn National is open up stalls for the next big time crook that comes in . They need to start looking out for the smaller time trainers that race fair and have been there for years.Get with it Penn National seriously .
January 30th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Shame on Penn Nat if they fine these jockeys.
January 30th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Totally agree with you Rick seems like Penn National is all about the crooks .Thank you jockeys for finally stepping up.Get the crooks out and let’s get back to safer racing and trainers who race by the rules.
January 30th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Great idea Haligator.
These jockeys need our full moral and financial support against bullies and perps. They are trailblazers in the industry.
How can we start and seed the Penn National Jockeys’ Fund?
January 30th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Penn National could solve this problem tomorrow. They can declare Michael Gill and “Undesirable” and ask him to take his horses and leave the grounds within 72 hours. Penn will not do this because they are afraid of getting sued and the racing officials have some other interests which precludes them from even thinking about doing it. By the time the PA Racing Commission launches and concludes their investigation it will be too late. Nobody at the Racing Commission knows the difference between a donkey and a thoroughbred. The PA Racing Commission is worse than PENNDOT in terms of getting things done. Penn National will always be the minor leagues of horse racing.
And memo to the Penn National backside…David Cardoso should be taken off your rider list immediately. Let him ride for Kirk Zaide Jr (Jamie Ness) as much as he wants. He’s a turncoat and needs to be treated as such.
January 30th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
myectomy, why would you take david cardoso off rider list?? What happened?
January 30th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
This being Penn National - a slack-jawed yokel dump that I wouldn’t go to even if by Act of Congress, I had been awarded a million dollars to spend as I saw fit - I’m not surprised with their disgusting, cowardly threat to fine the jockeys who refuse to ride Gill’s horses.
They are just another group of gutless American business executives, who, when confronted with a crisis involving conscience and morals, see their mortgage float in front of their eyes - and cave.
It’s a reflex.
What a wonderful example to set to the young people in America today, who, dreadfully, will hear the message loud and clear: Play ball with the corrupt; drink with the cowards; and survive.
Then, decades from now, you too can issue ultimatums to a new wave of unbroken spirits whose independence is a threat to whatever sort of established order exists - propped up by greed and premeditated malice & not much else.
January 30th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Money to this guy that guy this guy that guy is why he is still there.If Penn National did a thorough investigation they would have to post to many ads in the classified section for jobs.There’s more than one person involved with him still there .I’ll leave it at that .
January 30th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Penn National is a bit schizophrenic on the issue, aren’t they?! More worried about their own welfare than that of the jockeys or the horses. If someone wants to take up a collection for the jockeys, count me in. It takes some guts on their part to refuse to ride.
First of all, these jockeys aren’t making millions… they are riding for enhanced purse money, but they aren’t going to be contending with Julien Leparoux or Garrett Gomez for leading money earners. Second, the Jockeys Guild needs to step forward for solidarity reasons, as do all of the jockeys across the country. Third, trainers & owners at Penn who give a damn should refuse to enter horses at Penn if they care about their own horses.
It seems very simple that presenting a unified front to all of Pennsylvania’s racing authorities is the only way to press this matter forward.
Penn can’t send out a “red alert” to the Pennsylvania Racing & Gaming Commission & absolve themselves, though legally, they dropped the bag of proverbial “doo doo” on the steps of the proper authorities. If the Pennsylvania state racing authorities don’t hold an emergency meeting Monday morning to decide what to do, then they are pretty cowardly.
And Penn needs to not punish the jockeys…. the jockeys have every right to expect to ride under safe conditions and that seems unlikely if Gill horses are entered, according to what we have seen thus far.
January 30th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Sloge, if Penn National did a thorough investigation the world would come to an end. But you are right, too many people at Penn have too much to lose by asking Gill to leave. If I was Peter Carlino, I would consider cleaning house after this mess. After all, we all know this issue probably was the final nail in their coffin from landing the Aqueduct Casino. Now that they have all that, what $300 million, maybe they can earmark some of that toward a retirement program at Penn. It will never happen because Penn Gaming doesn’t even have a slaughter policy in place. Just ask Brandon Jenkins - sold a horse to the meat man and was caught…Rob Marella looked the other way.
January 30th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Cardoso agreed to ride in one of the “Gill” races.
January 30th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
I didn’t know there was a rule that says a rider has to accept a mount. How can you fine a jockey for deciding to not ride any one particular race? Jocks are independent contractors, they can accept or refuse to ride.
Also, the owners who have entered horses in these particular races should name a rider who’s available to ride…i dont understand how you can get ‘fined’ by not riding a horse that you are not named on.
If i owned a horse at Santa Anita and wanted Ramon Dominguez, the race office might tell me he’s not available for this particular race…..will they fine Dominguez for not riding my horse? Of course not, he doesn’t have to accept the call if he doesn’t want to…at least that’s my understanding of the situation.
I guess the fine line is that if you’re physically on the grounds you have to ride if someone requests your services?
January 30th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Still….excellent point. Jockeys aren’t obligated to accept mounts in any race. Only if they accept and don’t show up for good cause would make an offense, perhaps, fine-worthy.
I understand now that the Pennsylvania racing commission is going to launch an investigation. I am a bit late to the news this evening, but will it be quick enough action?
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2010/January/30/Pennsylvania-commission-to-investigate-Gill.aspx
January 30th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Jocks don’t have to ride anything they don’t want to ride. Just ask any trainer who has had a 30-1 in the last race and needs a rider. That’s why there is scratch time. Gives jocks the chance to jump off mounts they don’t like to to reduce the number of mounts they’ll have on a particular night. Some riders don’t want more than 5-6 races per card to stay fresh. Gill might as well take his ball and go home. His days are numbered and Penn and if he’s not smart enough to figure that out at this point then he needs to go back to school for more than his grammar. I’m shocked that more of the people associated with him (Adamo) haven’t jumped ship.
I can’t wait to see what happens when Darrel Delahoussaye has a horse in for an owner other than Gill. People forget, the riders are refusing to ride in races where Gill has a horse AND when Adamo or Delahoussaye has a horse entered.
January 30th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
If Penn asked Gill to leave, what happens to the horses?? Where do you suppose they’d end up?
January 30th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Here is why neither Penn National nor the Commission will make the riders ride or fine them if they don’t. If they force a rider to ride and he gets injured, in any way or for any cause, The resultant lawsuit will bankrupt Penn National. The riders have expressed their fear of injury and, therefore, forcing them to ride would show “wanton disregard” for their safety and well-being and open Penn National Gaming up to punative damages. Punative damages are money damages decided upon by a jury in an amount large enough to “punish” a defendant for his actions. Penn National is the third largest gaming company in the US. Imagine how big a verdict it would take to “punish” them.
The Commission has a policy at Penn National that when the jockeys don’t want to ride because of the track conditions they are excused even if they have been named on horses.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Med,
Given the magnitude and attention the situation has received, I think the horses both at Penn and Elk Creek have a better chance for survival than if nothing ever happened. Think about it…those horses would be watched like hawks by the rescue network that is out there.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Jockeys are not slaves. They cannot be forced to ride. They could endanger their own lives and others by being scared.
Owners and trainers should follow suite, at least those without skeletons in their closets.
Twist and turn:
Penn National, 1/29, Race 4:
Sugar Forest racing for Maggi Moss (Stephanie Beattie trainer) for $6,250 tag, was claimed by Darrell Delahoussaye.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
What should penn do about jockeys who want to ride, but are receiving threats from the ones that don’t?
January 30th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Wow, Myectomy you sound so angry and mean spirited. Did Gill claim all our horses? Or, are you a trainer that has not had much luck in your career? You don’t seem concerned about the welfare of horses (the purpose of this blog?) as much as you care about slandering Gill and his employees. If what Ms. Adamo says is true (and I tend to believe her), Elk Creek horses are not sold to be destroyed. Who wouldn’t love to have employees as loyal as they are, sticking by their owner amidst the character assassination that you have hailed upon them and Gill.
I do not know much about racing, but I do love horses. While I would not want to see any jockey get injured, refusing to ride in races where Gills’ horses are running does not seem to be the smart way to go. In most occupations, refusing to work could be considered insubordination and means for termination. Regardless, the decision to boycott is going to hurt other owners and trainers. Also, I would think that this might open the door for jockeys from other tracks to come in and get some additional mounts.
How many jockeys have suffered injuries due to what you consider the condition of Gill’s horses? I understand that 1 would be too many, but that would be the same for any jockey being injured on another owners horse. Am I wrong in assuming that the number of horses breaking down would be exaggerated because of the large number of horses owned by Mr. Gill? Maybe he, Gill, needs to refrain from claiming horses from that Smart and ??? (something) stables. The horses that were claimed from him were SORE to begin with, and that is from the Smart trainer’s own mouth.
Just a word of advice My … just give the facts. When you attack a person’s character, you lose credibility.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Myectomy, the Mid-Atlantic rescues are over-flowing. I myself have been offering to connect people on several sites with available Gill horses and do you know how many people have contacted me? One. Fortunately that was successful and one horse has a new home. More are available. I plan to widen the net and it would help to have more details and specifics on available horses so I also hope to work on that in the next few days, but so far the results aren’t encouraging.
Don’t get me wrong, I want the best for any horse and if there’s abuse it needs to be investigated. I’m totally on the horses’ side here. But with the economy, there are plenty of horses and not enough homes. I’d rather see more oversight on Penn’s part (of which there seems to be NONE) than more homeless horses dumped on an already-saturated rescue market.
As I mentioned, I reached out to Sheryl Adamo and had a nice conversation with a lovely woman. She’s passionate about Mr. Gill’s former racehorses that need homes and actively wants to place them. If anyone’s interested please email me at lotsacats @ comcast.net (remove spaces) and we’ll talk. I do want her to be treated with respect. She’s doing a good thing here.
Myectomy, I remember that you mentioned a horse named GEEFOUR. Did you talk to Sheryl about him?
January 30th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Support these jocks
January 31st, 2010 at 12:30 am
David cardoso’s agent probably just didn’t have the guts to take him off of his mounts. It seems to be a shame that a person would put business as usual before the safety of his rider and such an urgent cause.
January 31st, 2010 at 1:14 am
I think it’s funny/odd that we haven’t seen any response on the $1 horses….
Also, what idiot thinks it’s o.k. to keep running “run down” horses? Is it any less of a death if they die on the track instead of a Canadian slaughterhouse??
Also, the people talking “insubordination” are full of no sense of U.S. thoroughbred flat racing. There would be no jockey insubordination, as jockeys are not employees of the trainer or the owner. Ask any jockey who pays for his/her own health insurance & riding gear. A jockey has every right to refuse a mount, though financially, for jockeys at this track, it isn’t the most lucrative avenue.
These jockeys need our support and I don’t know why racing won’t deal with it’s dirty laundry and not quit passing the buck and trying to sweep the “uglies” under the carpet and trying to penalize those who speak out?! Shane Sellers knows how this works…. it’s ugly when the sport turns against someone speaking out about changes that urgently need to occur.
Our arrogance in North American racing is just one part of why we’re killing our own sport. We keep justifying b.s. with more b.s. Someone pays for a big study to justify lasix and then we keep giving second, third, fourth and fifth chances to trainers who are known medicators. How many Eclipse winning trainers had med violations in the year they recived their awards? Ziadie…run out of Florida finds a new home & picks right back up. Gill gets another chance because Penn Gaming passed the buck up higher, and everyone at the top of racing hopes we’ll wake up tomorrow feeling better about the sport???
Few people love racing more than me and I have to speak out because I can’t defend the idiot and repeated idiocy of racing’s “elite” leadership in all sectors, whether Breeders’ Cup, state racing commissions, track officials, etc.
Been looking over the Hong Kong Jockey Club website (see link below)…. where in North American racing do you see a vet’s report on a website, easy to find and easy to understand??
http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/ove_record.asp
HKJC even lists suspended jockeys, trainers, etc.
Now that’s disclosure!!! Something North American racing knows nothing about…..
January 31st, 2010 at 6:02 am
hey myectomy, it seems you got aq lot of issues with trainers that win races( ness ) why dont you stop knocking all the trainers that win races, whats the matter are you the milk man( 2% ) bet you win maybe 2 races a yr and your just all bent out of shape cause your broke as a joke so u want to blame someone else for your failure lol you also have a personel vendetta against everyone that does well… u need to get some balls and use ur real name too cause ur smashing all kinds of trainers, jjust another idiot with a personel vendetta, have a nice life MILK MAN lma0
January 31st, 2010 at 9:02 am
AMEN Paula M. Weglarz !
January 31st, 2010 at 9:13 am
Mid-Atlantic rescues are over-flowing. I myself have been offering to connect people on several sites with available Gill horses and do you know how many people have contacted me?
*
Look, in the case of White Buck, he was a decent and healthy race horse through Septembe.r. Gill’s handling, in some ungodly set of circumstances, even WITH a rescue attempt, resulted in an untimely and horrible death.
The man is a numbers man. He garner wins by claiming inordinant numbers of decent animals and setting them into races they can win. The question is whether the resulting numbers of broken, expendable toss-offs, that have mounted up into the hundreds of creatures, is acceptable.
January 31st, 2010 at 9:24 am
C. Silver, that is not true. I am not even a trainer, I am someone who loves horse racing in its purist sense. I have an issue with cheaters and butchers. What is wrong with that? I have the utmost respect for many trainers at Penn who do it the right way - Timothy Kreiser, Bernard Houghton, Sandee Beattie - just to name a few. What is wrong with calling people out FOR THEIR ISSUES? After all, Ness has a long history of positives which has been outlined by other media including a positive this past fall at Penn (but like the Gill breakdowns I’m sure that’s only because of the volume of starters, right?). I’m sorry that you support “win at all costs” trainers. But this issue is about the jockeys and as Thomas Clifton had said they do not feel safe riding in the same races as the Gill horses because his breakdowns are frequent and different than other breakdowns. Why don’t you state why you disagree with Mr. Clifton so we can get back on topic?
January 31st, 2010 at 9:33 am
i guess gill gets walk over on wednsday
January 31st, 2010 at 9:40 am
#12 Don Reed
WORD!
When I was with Gene Weymouth, none of his horses raced there but one. He was a fat, lazy gelding, cute as a button and a dear favorite of his owner- Gene.
To get a win out of him, it was decided that he should run with the cheap horses at Penn National. He took fifth and was moved back to Gene’s farm fields at Upland soon after. That is one of the great things I got to experience with Gene and his family. They all retired their horses back to their own farms.
I used to ride my bike from Newark to Greenville Delaware to visit my old pals who were pastured along Route 52. Ad Infinitum, China Bound, By Juno, Caton River, to name a few.
January 31st, 2010 at 9:47 am
Canton River rather…
Haligator has the right idea. These jockeys need to be seen as having a robust support system at their back for the track officials to dig in against Gill.
There is no doubt that the track has been allowing the scamming to go on. They are culpable for not thoroughly investigating the dangerous and illegal practices that are causing the jockey’s concerns. The vets and trainers who do Gill’s dirty work are getting the pass while the jockey’s and the poor horses themselves are getting the short shrift.
January 31st, 2010 at 10:35 am
While no one can force a jockey to actually ride a horse, if the jockey (or his agent on his behalf) accepted a call to ride a horse and then refused to honor that call, they could be fined. Most States have rules governing accepting of calls which basically state if the jockey agrees to ride a horse they have to honor that committment. They can be fined, or forced to sit out the race in question. Occassionally they can be given days.
Normally for a penalty to happen the owner or trainer of the horse the jockey took off of would have to complain to the Stewards. Complaints happen rarely, and usually only when the jockey takes off to ride another horse in the same race, or takes off to ride at another track. I’m sure the jockeys and agents are not giving out many calls right now. They are probably just telling trainers that it’s OK to name them on a horse, but not actually agreeing to ride.
Given all the publicity of what’s going on at Penn now, I doubt there will be any fines. Penn also could take steps to ban the jockeys who refused to ride, or they could ban Gill.
Will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Would fining the jockeys be the right thing to do in this case? Probably not, if one can assume all of the accusations being thrown about at Mr. Gill and his methods are true. Penn certainly has been put in a sticky situation here, and yes, partially by their own doing. I’m not sure how they get out of it without getting sued. If that’s going to happen anyway, I hope they do the right thing.
January 31st, 2010 at 10:44 am
Comments from readers who have been posting under multiple aliases on stories related to Michael Gill and Penn National, including one who attempted to post under the name of a retired Hall of Fame jockey (among many other aliases), are being monitored. Comments from individuals who provide an accurate email address, and who do not deceptively use multiple aliases will continue to be posted when they are written. All comments are subject to review, editing or deletion at the publisher’s discretion.
January 31st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
myectomy for a lot of reasons i think your lying you kno too much about what goes on around penn. unfortunately for you i have a friend that specializes in hacking and when i get a hold of him we will find out who you are , this will tell up all what you are about and why you chose to trash talk respectable trainers. Im getting really sick of how you chose to talk trash about trainers that i kno and lies about there character. THE DAGGER is coming for you now! WHEN i find out who you are then maybe there will be some dirt on you, or are you mr do no wrong. lets see how you like being trashed and not able to defend yourself.
January 31st, 2010 at 1:06 pm
#39 - Even posting threatening to hack or have another hack a website is a federal offense, punishable up to 15 years in a federal prison. And they don’t need a “hacker” to find out who you are.
January 31st, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Myectomy speaks truth……………………………….
hitting does hurt especially when its true………………………
csilver…………..there are things that happen at PENN that no true horseman would put up with…………….
its about time it ends
…….
January 31st, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Hi All,
Just so I am in line and all know my identity, I am Hallie McEvoy. I have posted on many boards under the name Haligator as it is a nickname (go Florida Gators!). I post most often on the COTH site. I’m a writer, journalist, and author. I try to save as many TBs (and other horses, dogs, cats, and even humans) that I can that come my way. Jockeys need help now to do the right thing - for both themselves and the horses.
I am a member of TOBA and have many friends in the industry from hotwalkers to jockeys to owners. I’ve worked at the track, and long ago galloped at Parr Meadows (a defunct QH track on Long Island) as well as a few TB tracks.
I thought it best to more fully introduce myself.
Hallie
January 31st, 2010 at 4:23 pm
All of you just remember that Jockeys can be banned from the grounds for no reason just as well as an owner or trainer(Tampa Bay Downs)It works both ways,and they need no reason.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:41 pm
I just want to say that the Gill horse in her new home was received in good condition with no injuries or other health problems.
I did receive one more request for Sheryl’s phone number.
Paula, MED are my initials and we’re Facebook friends. I’ll be in touch.
Hallie, when I talk to Sheryl and get a list of horses I’ll post over at COTH, too.
Anyone if you’d like to re-home a former Gill racehorse please do contact me at lotsacats @ comcast.net (remove the spaces).
January 31st, 2010 at 5:20 pm
I don’t know why I’m responding to this but I feel compelled to give some facts about this “situation”. The reason for not giving my name is because I am involved with Penn National and do not wished to be fingered out. Even though I feel I’m educated I will spell things wrong in this blog and will improperly use grammar, so I appologize. I will first start out by saying that I back the riders at Penn 100%. I said to myself 3 months ago “why do these riders continue to ride for Mr. Gill”? I’m now asking myself “why would I want to ride in a race with one of his horses”? (I’m not a jockey at Penn). While I’ve never been a fan of Mr. Gill, I’m not certain if he should have the crosshairs directly pointing at him! That being said, I still think that he is an “undesireable”.
When Maggie Moss wrote that letter to the paulick report, I thought she went out on a very thin limb. A limb that I don’t think she should be on alone. I know Penn should accept some of this responsibility of the problems we are having. I’ve been to at least 5 or 6 tracks to watch training in the morning and oversee everyday life of the backside. The everyday activities of the horsemen, veterinarians (both state appointed and private), and officials are unnacceptable.
Lets start with horsemen. I’ve seen more sore horses train at Penn, than any other track that I’ve ever been to. Whether it’s jogging, galloping, or breezing you may see a dozen horses a morning that you would think should not be training on that particular day. I do understand that this has been a staple at Penn for a longtime, and MANY trainers are very cappable of training a “special need” horse. The money that is given away there should overtime help this. Why? because horsemen there can now make this their living, they can buy/claim better horses. I’ve seen it at other tracks, and it will happen at Penn. Like in any business “the strong survive”. If you want something bad enough you will work hard for it.
Now onto the private practice vets at Penn. “SHAME ON YOU”!!!!! Everyone at Penn knows that there is not a vet on the ground until 9:30am. Training in the summer starts at 5:30am, and is presently starting at 7:30am. There has been several occasions where a horse has broken down, and I’ve seen trainers, riders and/or other trainers standing with their horse/s waiting for a vet to come to the track. I’m not talking minutes, I’m talking hours!!!! Everyone knows this is true. I’ve seen a trainer breeze a horse and after the breeze the horse broke down and an hour later a vet arrived. All tracks I’ve ever been to, there has always been a practice that was there when training opened. It gets better, there is not one vet one the grounds after the first race. Why is this you ask?? Because there is no more lasix to give!! I’m not saying that I’ve never seen a vet scope a horse after the races, because I saw it for the first time this week. However, this was a new vet that came back to do it for a friend. I personally had a horse get hurt in a race (7th Race). I called my vet and he told me to pop it some bute and I’ll be there first thing in the morning. The horse could not get comfortable all night. I watched my vet drive in around 9:45am, and after three calls, and two hours later he came to treat my horse that slab fractured it’s knee. Once again, I believe that this can change, and most certain needs to change!!!!
Officials, I’m not familiar with this department at all so my comments are just observations. Like any track accept for NYRA I feel that they are being a little stingy in the pockets when it comes to having enough, and sufficient help. Although they have tried to help with the surface, they are not trying to help the surface. Last year there was a survey taken that management handed out asking what we thought about the racetrack. For about three months the track seemed pretty good, but without proper maintance it slipped away and until this winter it was a poor surface. It is once again a pretty decent surface. Management however needs to meet with a regular group of trainers and riders maybe bi-weekly to ask questions, and try to stay on top of this SAFETY issue. It is done at least three other tracks I’ve been to, and all three tracks maintain a good racing surface. Last for management, state vets, at least three or four. Two to check morning horses, and another two for the night races. You could even check them all right before the races. Actually look at them when they gallop out in a race, and come back. You could find at least one a race that don’t come back good.
I know I’m going on and on but I see alot wrong, and I so desperately want to see this sport strive!!!! I was born into it, I love it, I’ll never want to do anything else with my life. Let’s stop the bashing, and lets start fixing!!
I’ve had a bad test before, it was for a tranquilizer (that is legal to have in the barn) but illegal to run on. Was I guilty? Yes, did I do it intentionally? No, it was on the bit of a 2yo that went out to the track, and right after a filly that was in a day later had the same bit in her mouth. It caused her to get a positive test. I said this because “Jamie Ness, Steve Asmussen, Stephanie Beattie, Chris Richard”……I’m forgetting some, are all good people, and do things “right”. They might have gotten bad tests, but the majority of tests came back positive of something that is legal to have in a stable!!! There was a mistake made and it was dealt with. Move on, get back to business. We as a hole are mainly made up of uneducated people (barring owners, commisions, and vets), but we all have some level of common sense, lets use it!!!!
January 31st, 2010 at 5:59 pm
WOW!!
January 31st, 2010 at 6:49 pm
I work at the track (not at Penn) and everything 45 says rings true. In 2003 at Gulfstream Park I would watch Gill’s horses return sore race after race and wonder how things could go on like that. What about changing the claiming rules, back to where you have to run a claimed horse back on the raise for 30 days, instead of letting these guys with bottomless pockets claim a horse and run it back for less?
January 31st, 2010 at 6:58 pm
EASYGOER, finally someeone that knows what there talking about and is an obvious horsemen.. i feel exactly as you do on many situations at this track, especially on the private practice vets, this is the biggest joke i have ever seen at all the tracks that i have been too, how do you train around this issue?? it is virtually impossible to run a barn properly here based on that issue and the end result is that trainers take matters into there own hands.. This being said, this is also how trainers end up with positives, vets administer drugs within the withdrawl times to suite there own schedules. i wont even talk about the bute times, we all kno when that gets administered!!!!!!!!!!! It is a total relief to finally read a statement that is not knocking people and showing people were a lot of the problems lie. Every issue can be solved, if you want to solve them and save this sport at penn, but all i see are people that want to get rid of owners and trainers that have many horses and claim many horses. I watched the breakdowns and it was not only gill horses and when gill was not allowed to run, there were still horses breaking down in those three days… Accidents happen and mistakes happen, we need to work together as horsemen to solve the problems NOT attack eachother and try to run owners out of the business… There are rules, they just need to be enforced and possible set some new and stronger rules in an effort to satisfy peoples issues and worries,, thanks easygoer, its about time
January 31st, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I agree with both csilver and Easy Goer, there’s an opportunity for another vet to come in to Penn and steal a lot of business if they would be willing to work the early AM and late evening shifts.
January 31st, 2010 at 9:18 pm
I was the van driver that took White Buck to Mountaineer to race for his last race, which he won. After the race, they decided to retire the 9yo. They serched for a month trying to find the woman to take the horse in Ocala. When the horse walked in the van at Elk Creek, the horse jogged sound when he got on the van. Mike Gill and Tony Adamo went out of thier way to find the breeder of the horse. kept the horse for a month just to try to find her so he could retire with her. /Many horses get shipping fever when they ship from the cold to the heat, most make it with medication, some unfortunatly die.
January 31st, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Pat, FYI, The breeders of White Buck had contacted Gill prior to the last race and he knew how to contact them, Gill had the number the whole time, It wasn’t until three weeks later that he called, Then, White Buck was delivered dead lame and the day after he arrived, He was ill, it was determined that he had developed pleurisy and a collapsed lung, aggressive treatment commenced, A few days later it was too late, Whilte Buck was dead. If you honestly believe that after White Buck won his last race and made $5,760, Then Gill wanted to retire him? and looked for over a month to contact the breeder?, Please, Give me a break, He was lame and delivered sick…
January 31st, 2010 at 11:42 pm
#50 - had you been keeping up with current events, you’d have known that the breeder of White Buck had previously contacted Gill about bringing him home to giving him a proper retirement. So it shouldn’t have taken “a month just to find her” if that was truly their intentions - Your bosses should have coached you better before having you post.
January 31st, 2010 at 11:45 pm
From #50: “I was the van driver that took White Buck to Mountaineer to race for his last race, which he won. After the race, they decided to retire the 9yo. They serched for a month trying to find the woman to take the horse in Ocala.”
Well, now. That’s passing strange — since it took me 90 seconds to find the breeder’s name and then someone took that info, found the contact info, and was talking to them just a few hours later.
February 1st, 2010 at 6:58 am
Michael Gill is a parasite of the racing industry and needs to be escorted to the door
February 1st, 2010 at 7:19 am
Pat,
Seems like your “story” is just that, A story!, Nice try, Want to try again? Gill doesn’t have one decent quality to his existence, He is a hermit and a evil control freak, End of Story…
February 1st, 2010 at 7:51 am
I would like for Mr. Gill to come out and discuss what his internal protocol was everytime one of his horses broke down. Did he review vet records with his trainers to try and determine if there was a reason or just part of the game?
February 1st, 2010 at 8:49 am
what a bunch of b.s. when you have trainers all across the nation INCLUDING MAGGI MOSS TRAINERS who incject every joint a horse has..The anti horse slaughter -this is like global warming-another deal of b.s. lead by the wealthy to impund on the small people. seems policitacl correctness is gone on rampage…
February 1st, 2010 at 9:14 am
To Pat…as others have stated, White Buck’s breeder had already contacted Gill prior to Bucks last race to let him know that they wished to give their horse a retirement home. To say that it took any great effort on Gill/Adamo’s part to locate the breeder is pure rubbish.
It took me 3 minutes to ‘google’ the breeders name and come up with their phone number. I was speaking with Buck’s breeder within 5 minutes.
Buck was lame and seriously ill upon arrival in FL. He died as a result. He deserved so much better.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:35 am
#45 Easy Goer
#47 Micky K
#48 csilver
Thanks for posting. Is there any way you can contact the PA Racing Commission with this information? Maggi did indeed go out on a limb. I presume the 3 of you cannot go out on the same limb because of your jobs? How can you help end the practices you recite? How can I help? If people in the know like you guys- people inside the industry who have seen what goes on - can’t speak up about the truth with your names and proof to the authorities who CAN (possibly) change things, then how will anything change?
If you guys have ANY suggestions, I am all ears!
February 1st, 2010 at 11:03 am
Regarding Post 50:
Although some of Gill’s horses go to “good homes”, no one has located the 20 or so horses that Gill sold recently for $1. “Pat” and Sheryl Adamo can you tell us who give Gill $20 for 20,000 lbs worth of horses?
“They serched for a month trying to find the woman to take the horse in Ocala.”
Serched? Did Gill write that?
I just can’t imagine Gill spending too much time worrying about the fate of his throwaways, thus researching then contacting their breeders just in case they may want their horses back… In any case, based on what “Pat” wrote, Gill knew the breeder wanted White Buck back. I assume that after White Buck won his last race Gill thought there might be more juice to squeeze before trashing him.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:37 am
#58 Mary, it might work right now because the sh*t has hit the fan. However, as you know, the most effective way to help protect race horses is to go directly to local and national media because racing is all about money and what the industry fears the most is public outrage which threatens revenues.
The industry doesn’t care if horses are being abused under its nose then sent to slaughter (even at tracks with anti-slaughter rules with giant holes in them) as long as it can continue to stuff evil under its vast, bulging rug before the public gets it.
Animal abuse stories move people deeply. Thus in order to help protect race horses on and off track, it is far more efficient to go to local and national media than racing commissions and track owners who know darn well what’s going on but either have their hands tied or don’t give a damn.
All of racing needs to be busted. First in line should be the cheap tracks.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:32 pm
I was looking at the MIA list on TBC again and noticed many of the horses last ran at SUF. So I made a list (below): 35 horses. I think that may have been his entire string at SUF last year (under Vitali), aside from De Roode who was apparently sold to stud. This is Gill’s old stomping ground. I wonder how many he bothered to bring back to his farm? (Vitali went on to Calder without any Gill horses.)
If anyone has good contacts with any rescue or retirement groups, or even any legit horse brokers in New England, would you please share this list? Or email me at pisces949 @ yahoo.com? Thanks.
[Ages on list are as of 2009]
Avonian (Not for Love), 4yo C/G(?); 6/27/09, SUF 4, 1st
B L’s Metropolitan (B L’s Appeal), 4yo G; 7/29/09, SUF 1, 4th
Captured Emotion (Explicit), 4yo F; 7/6/09, SUF 9, 10th (last)
Clever Selection (Forest Camp), 6yo M; 5/23/09, SUF 5, 5th
Double Squeeze (Aptitude), 5yo G; 9/26/09 SUF 3, 1st
Emanate (Larrupin’), 4yo G; 9/23/09, SUF 9, 6th
Fandango Girl (Trippi), 3yo F; 6/23/09, SUF 4, 7th
French Action (Action This Day), 3yo G; 7/6/09, SUF 2, 8th
Gran Cesare (ARG) (Roar), 10yo H; 8/22/09, SUF 8, 10th (last) [A grand old trooper with at least 91 starts (came to the US at 3)]
House of Boo (Chester House), 6yo G; 6/29/09, SUF 8, 7th
Hymn for Her (Bowman’s Band), 3yo F; 6/8/09, SUF 2, 4th
Iwanbegeorgiesgal (Untuttable), 3yo F; 8/5/09, SUF 5, 7th
Keuka Maid (Phone Trick), 6yo M; 6/29/09, SUF 6, 9th (last)
Loveland (Halos and Horns), 8yo M; 6/30/09, SUF 7, 9th (last)
Marvin Road (Cat’s Career), 3yo C; 8/8/09, SUF 6, 9th
Means to Win (Allen’s Prospect), 8yo G; 9/8/09, SUF 4, 4th
Miss South Slope (Cryptoclearance), 3yo F; 6/30/09, SUF 2, 82nd
My Privileged (Syncline), 5yo G; 8/29/09, SUF 6, 1st (scratched 9/9/09)
Navesink Sunset (Commendable), 5yo G; 6/15/09, SUF 4, 7th
Nerve (Tour d’Or), 5yo G; 5/9/09, SUF 8, 7th
Private Gentleman (Yankee Gentleman), 4yo G; 8/12/09, SUF 2, 7th (last) (scratched 8/25/09)
Quick Comeback (Lil’s Dad), 5yo G/H (?); 9/19/09, SUF 3, 2nd
Ranger Creek (Cat Thief), 5yo G; 7/1/09, SUF 5, 6th
Red Magic (Rubiano), 7yo G; 6/9/09, SUF 4, 8th
Sassy in Stripes (Judge T C), 3yo F; 9/29/09, SUF 4, 1st (ran 5 times in Sept.)
Speedy Freddie (Senor Speedy), 7yo H; 7/14/09, SUF 2, 6th
Springs Terrace (Payne’s Bay), 3yo F; 8/19/09, SUF 9, 9th (last)
Sway With the Wind (Devil His Due), 6yo G; 5/31/09, SUF 3, 5th
Swingle (B L’s Appeal), 4yo F; 7/14/09, SUF 2, 7th (last)
Theatrical Talent (Theatrical (IRE)), 6yo H; 6/9/09, SUF 1, 9th
Tis Unanswerable (Metfield), 7yo M; 6/27/09, SUF 2, 9th (last)
Tiznow My Way (Tiznow), 5yo H; 10/5/09, SUF 3, 5th
Three Tiaras (Diamond), 5yo G; 7/8/09, SUF 2, 7th (last)
Touch a Prince (Touch Gold), 5yo G; 7/15/09, SUF 9, 11th
Whisper a Tune (Way West (FR)), 6yo M; 7/14/09, SUF 6, 7th (last)
February 1st, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Gill says he’s quitting — because there’s a conspiracy against him:
http://www.drf.com/news/article/110504.html
February 1st, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Mr. Gill,
Cry me a river I said you would fall apart one day I am Happy although I wish you know harm especially to your family I am Happy you are quiting I have waited to see this since 2000.
Conspiracy maybe but if it truly is I would publicly like to give my version without getting sued:)
All the best may all the victims that have died under you and your Trainers RIP and justice be served.
February 1st, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Pisces,
A lot of Suffolk horses are transitioned from the track by the TRF and CANTER New England. I’ll send them your list and ask them to check their records to see if any of these horses were retired with their organization.
February 1st, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I was wondering if anyone knew the condition of Jockey Ricky Frazier, I have a friend who lives where he was from and is concerned for his well being. We believe he was on one of Gills horses that went down. If anyone knows anything or where to find out could you please post it for me to see. Thank you in advance.
RGGC
February 1st, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Rose, he is fine.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Thank you Myectomy although you didn’t give any details, from reading your other posts I feel you must be well informed. Thank you again. I will tell my friend. I am sure she will be relieved.
Have a great evening.
RGGC
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:26 pm
To paraphrase Carl Nafzger at his Hall of Fame induction a couple of years ago in Saratoga, racing needs to be more about the horse.
If the industry looked at the horse as a compass, this drama would not be happening. A total paradigm shift, but it’s way overdue.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Heartfelt thanks to those in the trenches claiming, rescuing and rehabilitating the castoffs from trainers like this. Some of the stories what comes through the gate at rescues would break your heart. The recoveries and 2nd lives are an amazing tribute to the spirit of the Thoroughbred, and the humanity of the people involved.
These animals deserve a second career or decent retirement. I feel the industry from breeders on down the line ought to take responsibility for providing that. If a foal is bred, that’s a 30+ year life expectancy.
Bettors need to contribute too, with a ’scosh’ of the handle.
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Alright… First of all I do not work for Mike Gill. Although it is very easy to jump on the bashing Gill band-wagon, let me set the record straight for White Buck because I was there. Yes the breeders contacted the trainer of record, Gill was never contacted. At that time the horse was not yet ready to be retired. Unfortunately the contact info was misplaced during this time period, previous to the race he won - and upon evaluation of White Buck following the race, it was determined it was in his best interest for him to be retired. Shortly after the breeder was located and arrangements were made for him to be shipped to Florida. Everyone, including myself was sad to hear of White Buck’s passing. A big effort was made to send the horse out there - no one was required to do anything…. The right thing was done and unfortunately it had a sad outcome.
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:52 pm
“First of all I do not work for Mike Gill”
Pat, we have done some checking on who the drivers are for Mike Gill. There is a Pat Cleary(a long time driver). Are you not the same Pat that posted above #50 “I was the van driver that took White Buck to Mountaineer to race”?
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:22 pm
I am a driver - working not for Gill but a privately owned shipping company. I am not speaking on Gill’s behalf nor defending him. I am simply puting the facts out there about an instance I am witness to. Facts, not hearsay.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:02 pm
If you drive for Gill then you work for Gill, and by defending this monster you make yourself look bad. The ship is sinking and nobody is buying your story. It’s all up to you whether you sink with it.
February 5th, 2010 at 11:51 am
I have to wonder if, now that Penn Horseman are buying up Gill’s horses, if the same jockeys that boycotted races in which those horses are entered, will start throwing legs over them?
February 5th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I imagine most will be given time to heal and the chance to recover from their abused bodies.