Two interesting news stories this week that really highlight the fact that penalties in their current format have little if any impact. First, Dutrow can time an appeal for his violation up to a point where life quiets down in his barn. He can dictate when it works best for him. (all 15 days). Secondly, Jeremy Rose, just 6 weeks after PETA was after Eight Belles jockey for criminal charges, whips his horse over the head? Kudos to Delaware for initiating and mmediate penalty worth remembering (I don’t know the answer to Rose’s defense, only he does. But if members of the racing community can’t think before acting at this point in time, they’re never going to get it right). But the reality is he can pick up his tack and resume his career elsewhere, without a day lost (and I do believe someone will ride him). These incidents speak volumes for the need of penalty reforms that actually penalize and a national rules system that will eliminate the excuses we continally hear over and over again.

Before I exit my Sunday morning soapbox, I’ve been the biggest Dutrow critic since these debates began. I struggle to see a trainer with his record (I won’t say past because it appears to continue) being rewarded. But the fact is he is the center of the storm partly because of his doings and partly because of timing. I in some way understand his frustrations. Fact. Contessa was caught drugging one of my favorite claimers on the NY circuit this past year. Fact. Asmussen, just prior to getting Curlin, had one of the most severe drug violations for an overage on a pain numbing agent. So over he didn’t even contest it. I wish for these names to be equally accountable to the scrutiny Dutrow has faced.

In addition, my wife and I have known Maggi Moss since we were kids and am somewhat concerned about the turn of events with brother Asmussen.

Oh well, it will not get better until all drugs are banned like the FEI international requirements for other horse sports.