Moo-ving like a winner: Cattle steroid charge in NorCal

by Ray Paulick | 07.03.2012 | 7:22am

The California Horse Racing Board has filed a complaint against trainer Genaro Vallejo after a post-race sample from the horse Red Dwarf tested positive for the prohibited Class 1 drug zilpaterol following a victory in a $12,500 maiden claiming race at Golden Gate Fields April 12.

Zilpaterol is a Beta-2 agonist drug used as a feed additive to stimulate growth in slaughter-aged cattle. According to Merck Animal Health, which manufactures Zilmax, a cattle product that contains zilpaterol hydrochloride, it should not be given to horses. A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science in 2008 said zilpaterol can have prolonged adverse effects in horses but still was considered a risk for use in performance horses because of its anabolic properties.

In its Uniform Classification Guidelines, the Association of Racing Commissioners International describes Class 1 substances as “Stimulant and depressant drugs that have the highest potential to affect performance and that have no generally accepted medical use in the racing horse.”

Suggested RCI penalties for a first Class 1 offense is a minimum one-year suspension for the trainer and a $10,000 fine or 10% of the total purse, whichever is higher.

Vallejo has three mediation violations since 2006, all of them for overages of the Class 4 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone.

Last year, the CHRB reported six positives for zilpaterol in Quarter horses trained by Adan Farias, formerly a leading trainer at Los Alamitos. Farias failed to appear at a hearing scheduled by the CHRB and reportedly disbanded his public stable after being ejected from Los Alamitos by track owner Edward Allred.

Earlier this year, two trainers in Indiana, were sanctioned after horses tested positive for zilpaterol in out-of-competition testing. Jesus Gonzales received a three-year ban and James Garrison was suspended for 18 months in negotiated settlements with the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. In Iowa, trainer Ricardo H. Olivo was suspended six months for a 2011 zilpaterol positive, and at the Gila County Fair in Arizona, trainer Cleto Martinez received a 60-day suspension when a horse he trained tested positive for the drug in 2010.

Red Dwarf is a 5-year-old California-bred son of Atticus who at the time of the positive test was owned by the Battle Born Racing Stable managed by former trainer and current TVG analyst Nick Hines.

“When they shook down his barn, they didn’t find any of that stuff,” Hines said of the CHRB’s search of Vallejo’s barn. “He’s going to have to send in samples of his feed for testing. Hopefully the stewards will look at it from the standpoint that he is not a cheating type. I wouldn’t associate myself with a cheater.

“We don’t have an explanation,” Hines added. “It’s very frustrating. I understand the sport, and there needs to be a protocol that’s met. But he has a right to a fair hearing. I worry that they’re going to use certain individuals as examples for the other guys out there.”

After the race in question on April 12, Red Dwarf subsequently finished fourth in a $6,250 Golden Gate claiming race on May 3, then was claimed by trainer William Morey and owner Leon Scott for $4,000 while winning at Golden Gate May 29. When Red Dwarf ran back for his new connections on June 24, finishing second in a $5,000 claiming race at Pleasanton, he was claimed back by Battle Born Racing Stable and Vallejo.

The complaint against Vallejo alleges violation of CHRB Rules 1843 (a) (d) pursuant to Rule 1887. The Maddy Laboratory at UC Davis reported the positive test for zilpaterol and a split sample sent to the Pennsylvania Research and Toxicology Laboracy confirmed the presence of the drug.

A hearing has been scheduled by CHRB stewards on July 13 at Cal Expo (State Fair).

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Mike B

I believe that Genaro will be cleared of these charges if Heinz says he is innocent. HEINZ = REAL AMERICAN
- stillriledup
  
  Atten HUTT!
Mike B

I believe that Genaro will be cleared of these charges if Heinz says he is innocent. HEINZ = REAL AMERICAN
PWK

Isn’t it odd that most of these trainers have latin names? Just asking…….
- racefan
  
  Well, its no secret that basically all illegal drugs and/or methods of cheating enter the thoroughbred game after being tried and tested in quarter horse racing… and its also fairly obvious that quarter horse racing is big with the “you know whats”….
  - Caliente Rail Bird
    
    …just say it. You’ll feel better.
- Guest
  
  Racist much?
PWK

Isn’t it odd that most of these trainers have latin names? Just asking…….
Pete

I love Heinz. It tastes soooo good.
Pete

I love Heinz. It tastes soooo good.
stillriledup

Atten HUTT!
Podesta

Zilpaterol a Class 1 by who’s classification. According to RCI it is a Class 3 with a recommended Class A penalty.
- RayPaulick
  
  CHRB calls it Class 1 violation. Here is link to the complaint. http://www.chrb.ca.gov/press_releases/2012_07_02_press_release.pdf
  - Mike Podsta
    
    CHRB may call it a Class 1 violation but RCI classifies Zilraterol as a Class 3 drug with an A penalty. ( Version 2.01 Updated August 2011) Therefore, stewards throughout the country when adjudicating a violation refer to the RCI classification or their own states classification, which unfortunately may differ, and apply their states penalty guidlines.
  - Herewego
    
    The CHRB can call it whatever they want. All corners of the sport are calling for uniformity and the ARCI’s drug classification system is the standard. Podesta correctly points out that this is a Class 3 substance with a recommended Class A penalty.
Podesta

Zilpaterol a Class 1 by who’s classification. According to RCI it is a Class 3 with a recommended Class A penalty.
Rjtaylor49

Does this mean that if this guy is guilty Nick aka ”Sarge” gets busted down to private for guilt by association?
Rjtaylor49

Does this mean that if this guy is guilty Nick aka ”Sarge” gets busted down to private for guilt by association?
RayPaulick

CHRB calls it Class 1 violation. Here is link to the complaint. http://www.chrb.ca.gov/press_r…
Nucky Thompson

I’m sure it was just a language barrier problem. Hines asked Vallejo to “beef” up Red Dwarf and the trainer took him literally.
Nucky Thompson

I’m sure it was just a language barrier problem. Hines asked Vallejo to “beef” up Red Dwarf and the trainer took him literally.
Trainer

In case you were not aware Nick Hines aka the Sarge never was in the military. He loves people to believe what is not true. Look at Vallejo’s win percentage since he got caught. It went right down the toilet just like his career as a trainer is going!!!
- http://twitter.com/pathagan Patrick Hagan
  
  Nick is a good friend of mine and is one of the most genuine people I know (in any walk of life).
  
  Given that you’re hiding your identity under an alias gives you zero credibility.
  - Tinky
    
    While you may have used your real name, you failed to address either of the charges made by “Trainer”.
    
    Did “Sarge” ever serve in the military? Has Vallejo’s win percentage dropped precipitously?
    
    Answering those charges would be meaningful, as opposed to offering up a personal recommendation of Nick Hines.
    - Sandra Warren
      
      I think the Sarge has been quite open about the fact he hasn’t served. I know about it because he said it on TVG, in the context of talking about a veteran. I don’t see how anyone can say it is stolen valor when the person in question brings it up himself on national TV. He simply honors and supports the military, and is a patriotic person. I really like him for that.
      
      As far as Trainer’s other comment goes, I guess I will be looking up Vallejo’s relative percentages before and after. Trainer, you could have saved me some work if you’d quoted your source. Since we’ve seen a few other guys change dramatically that way, if Trainer’s right, that’s germaine.
  - stillriledup
    
    Actually, people who post under an assumed identity can, in many instances, have MORE credibility than people who post with their actual names. Remember, if you post with your actual name, you are more likely to be policitally correct. Is that what we want? If a person posts with a real name, how can you be 100% sure its a PC answer or how the person really feels?
    - http://twitter.com/pathagan Patrick Hagan
      
      As Sandra Warren correctly noted above, Nick has been open about the fact that he never served – and he’s never stated that he has.
      
      As for Genaro Vallejo, he’s hitting at a 14% win rate this year. At the current Pleasanton meet, he’s 1-for-6 (17%) with two 2nd-place finishes thru the first two weeks. Doesn’t look like a drop-off to me.
      - Scott
        
        Oh give me a f___ing break Patrick will you plase? He’s never stated that he has served but his daily clown act (the salutes, the ‘hoorahs’, the nickname ‘Sarge’) definitely intimate that he has in fact served wouldn’t you say? Or does his once yearly disavowal remove all that?
        
        The Merry-go-Round continues..
      - LongTimeEconomist
        
        Too small a sample to be meaningful.
      - http://twitter.com/pathagan Patrick Hagan
        
        Per BrisNet:
        Last 30 Days for Genaro Vallejo:
        Starters:22 (4 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds)
        Win Rate: 18.2%
      - Sandra Warren
        
        I noticed he won again at Pln on Wednesday. Seems like he’s doing pretty good to me.
    - Barry Irwin
      
      Totally absurd cop out. Those that post under a name other than their own lack the courage of their convictions. It doesn’t take an ounce of courage to post under an alias. Can you imagine if the leaders of this country wore masks and his their identity. People like you do it for various reasons, but they all boil down to one thing: NO BALLS.
      - WILLIAM L. ANTON
        
        Barry, you are so right on!! I answered your comments above with my name, this is me and how I feel. Don’t have to like me but RESPECT my candor. (not my spelling at times.)
      - Bookie Buster
        
        Please make a note Barry i have BRASS camouflaged balls as i am an honorable discharged and decorated soldier thank you very much sir. You? *rolls eyes*
        
        A persons name or lack there of doesn’t make a point any more or any less valid regardless. Actually in some cases in a public it might actually be a liability due to ones previous actions.
        
        Bute overages and steroids is not the same beast drug wise but both have been know to “accidentally ” end up in feed tubs.
      - WILLIAM L. ANTON
        
        Bookiebuster, I have the honorable discharge and the ribbons to go with it. So Mr. Brass balls use your real name and stand up not stand down.
      - Bookie Buster
        
        Mr Anton please do us all a favor and spend a little more time conditioning your bottom feeder platers so they “stand up” in races my friend.
        
        Barry is a big boy and doesn’t need your help in these matters sir.
        
        Mark Twain approves this post :)
      - Tinky
        
        “Can you imagine if the leaders of this country wore masks and his their identity.”
        
        How ironic, given that Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay used a pseudonym (Publius) when writing the Federalist Papers.
- Onukai
  
  Way to go Mr.Trainer, take a pot shot at Sarge, when this is about a trainer who’s horse came up with a positive test. As far as the trainer’s win % is concerned, not sure where you’re getting you’re facts from, but the numbers don’t quantify.
  
  FYI, Checking the CHRB site, Vallejo has only had 2 Bute overages in something like 10 years, not sure we should classify him as a “cheater”/supertrainer!
- http://twitter.com/pathagan Patrick Hagan
  
  18% trainer in the last 30 days and won 2 races today at Pleasanton (including 1 for the Sarge).
  
  Care to back up your claims? I think not.
Trainer

In case you were not aware Nick Hines aka the Sarge never was in the military. He loves people to believe what is not true. Look at Vallejo’s win percentage since he got caught. It went right down the toilet just like his career as a trainer is going!!!
http://twitter.com/pathagan Patrick Hagan

Nick is a good friend of mine and is one of the most genuine people I know (in any walk of life).

Given that you’re hiding your identity under an alias gives you zero credibility.
racefan

Well, its no secret that basically all illegal drugs and/or methods of cheating enter the thoroughbred game after being tried and tested in quarter horse racing… and its also fairly obvious that quarter horse racing is big with the “you know whats”….
Dave Parker

Another drug violation case gets headline treatment. I guess we are suppose to think “this sport is broken;” “all trainers are cheats;” “we need a federal racing authority.” At least this story has an amusing title and picture. Am waiting with bated breath for the next video to be (a) posted on “cleanhorseracing.com”; and (b) for the huge news to be reported with triumphant headlines.
Dave Parker

Another drug violation case gets headline treatment. I guess we are suppose to think “this sport is broken;” “all trainers are cheats;” “we need a federal racing authority.” At least this story has an amusing title and picture. Am waiting with bated breath for the next video to be (a) posted on “cleanhorseracing.com“; and (b) for the huge news to be reported with triumphant headlines.
Tinky

Best. Headline. Ever.
Onukai

Way to go Mr.Trainer, take a pot shot at Sarge, when this is about a trainer who’s horse came up with a positive test. As far as the trainer’s win % is concerned, not sure where you’re getting you’re facts from, but the numbers don’t quantify.

FYI, Checking the CHRB site, Vallejo has only had 2 Bute overages in something like 10 years, not sure we should classify him as a “cheater”/supertrainer!
Tinky

While you may have used your real name, you failed to address either of the charges made by “Trainer”.

Did “Sarge” ever serve in the military? Has Vallejo’s win percentage dropped precipitously?

Answering those charges would be meaningful, as opposed to offering up a personal recommendation of Nick Hines.
Tinky

Best. Headline. Ever.
Sandra Warren

I think the Sarge has been quite open about the fact he hasn’t served. I know about it because he said it on TVG, in the context of talking about a veteran. I don’t see how anyone can say it is stolen valor when the person in question brings it up himself on national TV. He simply honors and supports the military, and is a patriotic person. I really like him for that.

As far as Trainer’s other comment goes, I guess I will be looking up Vallejo’s relative percentages before and after. Trainer, you could have saved me some work if you’d quoted your source. Since we’ve seen a few other guys change dramatically that way, if Trainer’s right, that’s germaine.
Five2three

uraaah
Five2three

uraaah
stillriledup

Actually, people who post under an assumed identity can, in many instances, have MORE credibility than people who post with their actual names. Remember, if you post with your actual name, you are more likely to be policitally correct. Is that what we want? If a person posts with a real name, how can you be 100% sure its a PC answer or how the person really feels?
http://twitter.com/pathagan Patrick Hagan

As Sandra Warren correctly noted above, Nick has been open about the fact that he never served – and he’s never stated that he has.

As for Genaro Vallejo, he’s hitting at a 14% win rate this year. At the current Pleasanton meet, he’s 1-for-6 (17%) with two 2nd-place finishes thru the first two weeks. Doesn’t look like a drop-off to me.
Scott

Oh give me a f___ing break Patrick will you plase? He’s never stated that he has served but his daily clown act (the salutes, the ‘hoorahs’, the nickname ‘Sarge’) definitely intimate that he has in fact served wouldn’t you say? Or does his once yearly disavowal remove all that?

The Merry-go-Round continues..
Misueno9

Sarge is a nickname given by others. Mad Man Mark Mazza I believe?He has never claimed to be in the military. Could the Bald Eagle really fly?lame racist joke “nucky”. I can think of few a few choice nicknames for you!
Misueno9

Sarge is a nickname given by others. Mad Man Mark Mazza I believe?He has never claimed to be in the military. Could the Bald Eagle really fly?lame racist joke “nucky”. I can think of few a few choice nicknames for you!
LongTimeEconomist

Too small a sample to be meaningful.
Caliente Rail Bird

…just say it. You’ll feel better.
Convene

If he’s innocent, maybe somewhere along the line between manufacture and feedbin there’s careless handling of the feed, resulting in contamination. That’s something I, as an owner or trainer, would certainly want to know! This stuff can harm my horses – and it sure can harm my reputation – so I’d be looking into the chain of custody all the way back to the manufacturer. If there’s a problem, such an investigation sure would help everyone. Wouldn’t it?
Convene

If he’s innocent, maybe somewhere along the line between manufacture and feedbin there’s careless handling of the feed, resulting in contamination. That’s something I, as an owner or trainer, would certainly want to know! This stuff can harm my horses – and it sure can harm my reputation – so I’d be looking into the chain of custody all the way back to the manufacturer. If there’s a problem, such an investigation sure would help everyone. Wouldn’t it?
Smittyhorse101

I found this on another post here about Zilpaterol: http://www.horsesciencenews.com/horse-care/supplements/dont-feed-horses-zilpaterol.php

if you search the Paulick site you will find more info on Zilpaterol from a number of sources. IT IS NOT A FEED ISSUE~~ THAT IS FOR SURE
Smittyhorse101

I found this on another post here about Zilpaterol: http://www.horsesciencenews.co…

if you search the Paulick site you will find more info on Zilpaterol from a number of sources. IT IS NOT A FEED ISSUE~~ THAT IS FOR SURE
Barry Irwin

Totally absurd cop out. Those that post under a name other than their own lack the courage of their convictions. It doesn’t take an ounce of courage to post under an alias. Can you imagine if the leaders of this country wore masks and his their identity. People like you do it for various reasons, but they all boil down to one thing: NO BALLS.
Barry Irwin

Bottom line on on horsemen is that there basically are two kinds: those that want to cheat and those that want to play by the rules. Those that want to cheat will always be on the lookout for the next drug that won’t test, at least for awhile. Then they move on. The ONLY way to clean up this sport is to rid itself of these cheaters. I like the idea of their peers speaking out against the cheaters, instead of making excuses for them. If clean trainers thought about it and were honest, they would realize that the cheaters are making clean trainers look bad. The clean trainers need to speak out about those trainers that want to cheat. And they need to do this, not in private, but in public. Peer pressure is a powerful tool.
- Hopefieldstables
  
  I think though Barry it is important to distinguish between those who abuse legal medication and those who use illegal medication. I admit they may often be one and the same person but not always. Those trainers who have multiple positives of legal meds take advantage of the very liberal approach to meds in the US and load up every runner with a cascade of meds in the days/hours leading up to a race. This is why time and time again they get positives. They are best described as abusers. Some of these types take full advantage of the TCO2 threshold (designed to protect the innocent trainer from a false positive) and dope their horses with mini milkshakes. These trainers are both abusers and cheaters. Then finally we have the trainers willing to use the class 1/2 drugs. These trainers have no word to describe them. Perhaps sociopath might be the correct term.
  - Barry Irwin
    
    Good points
  - Stanley inman
    
    I understand the distinctions you make between the two groups who break rules;
    But when one group is portrayed as sociopath it serves to diminish and lessen the significance of the other rule breakers actions.
    They are still rule breakers but it sets up an environment where they are given “consideration”, thus lax enforcement of rules.
    Rule breakers benefit by your need to make such distinctions.
    This distinction and classification of rule breakers is supported by horsemen like yourself who don’t cheat
    but if on occasion
    have an “overage”
    they expect some consideration;
    This then opens the door for rampant abuse which we see today.
    Distinctions by non cheaters like yours become roadblocks to reforming the sport.
    An unintended consequence of the system in place.
    - Hopefieldstables
      
      Not necessarily. It is important to understand that any trainer can have an “overage” and it is wrong to treat them like criminals. The major problem you have (with legal meds) is not lax enforcement against the occasional overage (which I agree completely needs to be improved) but the downright dereliction with respect to those who downright flaunt the rules. That is where the door has not only opened but blown clean off the hinges. An occasional positive should be responded to with by a very large fine for the negligence and disrepute brought upon the sport. A repeat offender for typical meds with well known and documented clearance times should be forced out of the sport for a very long time.
      - Stanley inman
        
        Treating or referring to horsemen guilty of “overages” as criminals I agree is unfair.
        But we do so far a subtle purpose that serves the horsemen ultimately and is connected to the lax rule enforcement. (Now we have just established another group of rule breakers separate from the “criminal” ones.)
        By allowing lenient treatment for class one violators, (six months, a fine)
        We then establish a corresponding, descending ( to be fair) set of punishments for “overages”. Descending in severity to the point that they have no teeth, and zero consequence as a deterrent.
        So by supporting these artificial distinctions we have just sanctioned, legitimized “overages”, leaving horsemen to understand it’s not really cheating.
        Especially since they get to define the drug use as “therapeutic”.
        Just a complete fiction that everyone who carries about the horse is no longer willing to tolerate.
      - Hopefieldstables
        
        The word “therapeutic” is the most dangerous word to enter horse racing lexicon.
      - May Flower
        
        The pimping of the words “therapeutic medication” is shameless, but racing likes to hide behind code words like “strong urging” for strong whipping, “taking a bad step”, etc.
- WILLIAM L. ANTON
  
  BARRY: You are so right!! However, the trainers in So Cal must not want to clean up their act. One, they have re elected John Sadler to the CTT, and he will undoubtedly get re elected as President. If you remember a few years back the Board of the CTT asked Mullens due to his withstanding cases to leave the board until his case/cases were ajudicated. At the same time Sadler was asked to take a leave of absense due to the perception of the many steriod tests in his mounts. He did not break any legal rules (as Rick Arthur the genius) wrote vague and less than intelligent temporary rules to his advantage. Sadler knew what he was doing and should not have run as he did. He did not cheat by rule, just a snake, and his clients the Barbers could have told him to cool it, yet they too (although rich) went along with the situation. The proper word is GREED. As for you Mr. Irwin, how did the owners even allow Mr. Sadler on the ballot of the TOC? His track record was steller no doubt, but speak out as the trainers you admonished should have done. This is why all over the United States they laugh at what use to be the greatest state to race in. Give me an intelligent answer to all of that, I don’t think you can. Excuses, yes, honest and true answers, NO!!
  
  Good luck with your horses in future races.
  - BOBW205
    
    MR. ANTON
    
    YEARS AGO THERE WAS A HORSE THAT RAN AND WON AT A NICE PRICE ON KENTUCKY DERBY DAY. IT’S NAME WAS ANTON PILLAR.WONDERING IF THERE IS A CONNECTION? THANKS BOB
    - WILLIAM L. ANTON
      
      No connection Mr. Bob, however, I did have a first time starter on a Kentucky Derby Day that I bet very heavy and caught. He paid $117.00 but I had three trifectas at 55hundred each. His name was I’m Walkin. Purchased him from Pegusus for 5K. I do that sometime even tho I am a bad trainer. (ha ha)
      - Stats
        
        What “I am a bad trainer. (ha ha)” Mr. Anton fails to mention is this was a fist time starter maiden winner at Golden Gate who ran another 16 times never to win a race :) This is pretty typical of a lifetime .05% trainer.
      - Sandra Warren
        
        I guess you never met a P-town horseman, Stats. Anyone who ever met Ralph Mojica still gets to hear how he won the Hollywood Lassie at 126-1 50 years ago. Personally I’m still boring people with the triumph of my first win with my first horse at Fresno for MCl12500. We’ve got so little else going for us. Have mercy.
      - WILLIAM L. ANTON
        
        Sandy, don’t worry about Stats, if he doesn’t use his real name shows he is an a–hole. For the horses we have in P-town just surviving is a good thing. I had a 10 times stakes placed mare, and Sassy Conducion a mare that beat many So. Cal horses on the turf. Each winning over 150K. You can only train to the quality of your horse. Where would Baffert be without Mike P. When Stats wants to see me face up and let me know his real identity he is not a man.
      - Bookie Buster
        
        Thank you for the good laugh i sure needed that :) Hey Bill can you explain to me and the rest of the site how you can have so much time to masquerade as a “computer tough guy with a name” but you couldn’t manage to win more then 3 races in the last 221 starts in 5 years? I would suggest a dose of humility and play nice because its fairly obvious you never mastered the art of reading a condition book. Well done on that sir that’s not an easy feat to achieve but again i would suggest to you to tone it down to a more civil level regardless.
        
        Oh just so you know bookie buster was my old fart cheap claimer horse who won more races in a summer then you did in 5 years :) go have a look. So technically it is my name forever.
      - Ace
        
        I am not a Bill Anton fan-in fact, when I had two no name jocks on the NoCal fairs, I would never ride for him-or Tim Bellasis, but, I think Bill can read the condition book. He just never had much stock and didn’t do well with (most) of what he had.
      - WILLIAM L. ANTON
        
        Yes Ace, I can read the book. Only had a few good horses–Yet I put together $1,496,320 in earnings. As for BB, Mity Vicious (cheap claimer) would have kicked his butt. 9-9-8 on the fairs. Not earthshaking but okay for a non talented trainer.
- Stanley inman
  
  Embarrassment is our most powerful
  Tool to bring reform;
  Death of eight bells ( in derby) and Dutrow’s public statements about giving big brown steroids brought embarrassment and reform;
  Koester’s “it doesnt pass the smell test” speech and it’s public dialogue brought firestorm & embarrassment and subsequent reforms over raceday medication issues.
  Next,
  class l violations will embarrass the sport in ways we can only guess.
- LL
  
  Christine Janks made some comments along these lines about 2 weeks ago. I know the jocks have to make a living but do you think that a time will come when they refuse to ride for “cheaters”? After all, they’re putting their lives on the line each time they ride.
  - May Flower
    
    Jockeys are the ultimate enablers. Shame on them for failing to protect their own lives by refusing to ride until reforms are passed to protect horses.
- mike
  
  Barry class 3 and 4 positives are bull. Guys like you run around with the sky is falling is a nice PR stump for Team Valor. Those of us in the know understand that the most serious problem in racing is the perception of ILLEGAL drugs as opposed to the reality.
  
  Everyone has the right to use whatever is LEGAL in their program, only fools do not.
  - May Flower
    
    Tragically, racing is way beyond perception!
Barry Irwin

Bottom line on on horsemen is that there basically are two kinds: those that want to cheat and those that want to play by the rules. Those that want to cheat will always be on the lookout for the next drug that won’t test, at least for awhile. Then they move on. The ONLY way to clean up this sport is to rid itself of these cheaters. I like the idea of their peers speaking out against the cheaters, instead of making excuses for them. If clean trainers thought about it and were honest, they would realize that the cheaters are making clean trainers look bad. The clean trainers need to speak out about those trainers that want to cheat. And they need to do this, not in private, but in public. Peer pressure is a powerful tool.
Hopefieldstables

I think though Barry it is important to distinguish between those who abuse legal medication and those who use illegal medication. I admit they may often be one and the same person but not always. Those trainers who have multiple positives of legal meds take advantage of the very liberal approach to meds in the US and load up every runner with a cascade of meds in the days/hours leading up to a race. This is why time and time again they get positives. They are best described as abusers. Some of these types take full advantage of the TCO2 threshold (designed to protect the innocent trainer from a false positive) and dope their horses with mini milkshakes. These trainers are both abusers and cheaters. Then finally we have the trainers willing to use the class 1/2 drugs. These trainers have no word to describe them. Perhaps sociopath might be the correct term.
Barry Irwin

Good points
http://twitter.com/pathagan Patrick Hagan

Per BrisNet:
Last 30 Days for Genaro Vallejo:
Starters:22 (4 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds)
Win Rate: 18.2%
Mike Podsta

CHRB may call it a Class 1 violation but RCI classifies Zilraterol as a Class 3 drug with an A penalty. ( Version 2.01 Updated August 2011) Therefore, stewards throughout the country when adjudicating a violation refer to the RCI classification or their own states classification, which unfortunately may differ, and apply their states penalty guidlines.
Stanley inman

I understand the distinctions you make between the two groups who break rules;
But when one group is portrayed as sociopath it serves to diminish and lessen the significance of the other rule breakers actions.
They are still rule breakers but it sets up an environment where they are given “consideration”, thus lax enforcement of rules.
Rule breakers benefit by your need to make such distinctions.
This distinction and classification of rule breakers is supported by horsemen like yourself who don’t cheat
but if on occasion
have an “overage”
they expect some consideration;
This then opens the door for rampant abuse which we see today.
Distinctions by non cheaters like yours become roadblocks to reforming the sport.
An unintended consequence of the system in place.
WILLIAM L. ANTON

BARRY: You are so right!! However, the trainers in So Cal must not want to clean up their act. One, they have re elected John Sadler to the CTT, and he will undoubtedly get re elected as President. If you remember a few years back the Board of the CTT asked Mullens due to his withstanding cases to leave the board until his case/cases were ajudicated. At the same time Sadler was asked to take a leave of absense due to the perception of the many steriod tests in his mounts. He did not break any legal rules (as Rick Arthur the genius) wrote vague and less than intelligent temporary rules to his advantage. Sadler knew what he was doing and should not have run as he did. He did not cheat by rule, just a snake, and his clients the Barbers could have told him to cool it, yet they too (although rich) went along with the situation. The proper word is GREED. As for you Mr. Irwin, how did the owners even allow Mr. Sadler on the ballot of the TOC? His track record was steller no doubt, but speak out as the trainers you admonished should have done. This is why all over the United States they laugh at what use to be the greatest state to race in. Give me an intelligent answer to all of that, I don’t think you can. Excuses, yes, honest and true answers, NO!!

Good luck with your horses in future races.
WILLIAM L. ANTON

Barry, you are so right on!! I answered your comments above with my name, this is me and how I feel. Don’t have to like me but RESPECT my candor. (not my spelling at times.)
Hopefieldstables

Not necessarily. It is important to understand that any trainer can have an “overage” and it is wrong to treat them like criminals. The major problem you have (with legal meds) is not lax enforcement against the occasional overage (which I agree completely needs to be improved) but the downright dereliction with respect to those who downright flaunt the rules. That is where the door has not only opened but blown clean off the hinges. An occasional positive should be responded to with by a very large fine for the negligence and disrepute brought upon the sport. A repeat offender for typical meds with well known and documented clearance times should be forced out of the sport for a very long time.
Bookiebuster1

Please make a note Barry i have BRASS camouflaged balls as i am an honorable discharged and decorated soldier thank you very much sir. You? *rolls eyes*

A persons name or lack there of doesn’t make a point any more or any less valid regardless. Actually in some cases in a public it might actually be a liability due to ones previous actions.

Bute overages and steroids is not the same beast drug wise but both have been know to “accidentally ” end up in feed tubs.
cepatton28

The big question is will the owners move the horses away from trainers that cheat?
cepatton28

The big question is will the owners move the horses away from trainers that cheat?
WILLIAM L. ANTON

Bookiebuster, I have the honorable discharge and the ribbons to go with it. So Mr. Brass balls use your real name and stand up not stand down.
Tinky

“Can you imagine if the leaders of this country wore masks and his their identity.”

How ironic, given that Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay used a pseudonym (Publius) when writing the Federalist Papers.
Stanley inman

Treating or referring to horsemen guilty of “overages” as criminals I agree is unfair.
But we do so far a subtle purpose that serves the horsemen ultimately and is connected to the lax rule enforcement. (Now we have just established another group of rule breakers separate from the “criminal” ones.)
By allowing lenient treatment for class one violators, (six months, a fine)
We then establish a corresponding, descending ( to be fair) set of punishments for “overages”. Descending in severity to the point that they have no teeth, and zero consequence as a deterrent.
So by supporting these artificial distinctions we have just sanctioned, legitimized “overages”, leaving horsemen to understand it’s not really cheating.
Especially since they get to define the drug use as “therapeutic”.
Just a complete fiction that everyone who carries about the horse is no longer willing to tolerate.
Bookiebuster1

Mr Anton please do us all a favor and spend a little more time conditioning your bottom feeder platers so they “stand up” in races my friend.

Barry is a big boy and doesn’t need your help in these matters sir.

Mark Twain approves this post :)
Stanley inman

Embarrassment is our most powerful
Tool to bring reform;
Death of eight bells ( in derby) and Dutrow’s public statements about giving big brown steroids brought embarrassment and reform;
Koester’s “it doesnt pass the smell test” speech and it’s public dialogue brought firestorm & embarrassment and subsequent reforms over raceday medication issues.
Next,
class l violations will embarrass the sport in ways we can only guess.
http://twitter.com/pathagan Patrick Hagan

18% trainer in the last 30 days and won 2 races today at Pleasanton (including 1 for the Sarge).

Care to back up you claims? I think not.
Hopefieldstables

The word “therapeutic” is the most dangerous word to enter horse racing lexicon.
cepatton28

I am a trainer. I follow the rules. I watch some of these guys horses train in the mornings and they are pretty sore and then they fly in the afternoons. I have to look these animals in the eye everyday so I refuse to play the game with them and use illegal drugs. The only problem is that my percentage stays low so all the decent horses go to the assembly line trainers and the obvious cheat. Makes me wonder if I need to stay in the business. Is love of the game enough?
- Tinky
  
  This is an all-too-common, thoroughly understandable, and sad refrain. I’ve known a number of excellent trainers who are now either out of the business, or barely hanging on, primarily due to their unwillingness to “play” the game.
- May Flower
  
  Please, name that track although I realize that all tracks run sore horses.
  - Cepatton28
    
    Well Mayflower to avoid any physical conflicts I am not going to name the tracks in recent memory but I sure remember a Frencman’s horses stumbling around there a few years back…
cepatton28

I am a trainer. I follow the rules. I watch some of these guys horses train in the mornings and they are pretty sore and then they fly in the afternoons. I have to look these animals in the eye everyday so I refuse to play the game with them and use illegal drugs. The only problem is that my percentage stays low so all the decent horses go to the assembly line trainers and the obvious cheat. Makes me wonder if I need to stay in the business. Is love of the game enough?
Tinky

This is an all-too-common, thoroughly understandable, and sad refrain. I’ve known a number of excellent trainers who are now either out of the business, or barely hanging on, primarily due to their unwillingness to “play” the game.
Herewego

The CHRB can call it whatever they want. All corners of the sport are calling for uniformity and the ARCI’s drug classification system is the standard. Podesta correctly points out that this is a Class 3 substance with a recommended Class A penalty.
Sandra Warren

I noticed he won again at Pln on Wednesday. Seems like he’s doing pretty good to me.
BOBW205

MR. ANTON

YEARS AGO THERE WAS A HORSE THAT RAN AND WON AT A NICE PRICE ON KENTUCKY DERBY DAY. IT’S NAME WAS ANTON PILLAR.WONDERING IF THERE IS A CONNECTION? THANKS BOB
WILLIAM L. ANTON

No connection Mr. Bob, however, I did have a first time starter on a Kentucky Derby Day that I bet very heavy and caught. He paid $117.00 but I had three trifectas at 55hundred each. His name was I’m Walkin. Purchased him from Pegusus for 5K. I do that sometime even tho I am a bad trainer. (ha ha)
Stats

What “I am a bad trainer. (ha ha)” Mr. Anton fails to mention is this was a fist time starter maiden winner at Golden Gate who ran another 16 times never to win a race :) This is pretty typical of a lifetime .05% trainer.
LL

Christine Janks made some comments along these lines about 2 weeks ago. I know the jocks have to make a living but do you think that a time will come when they refuse to ride for “cheaters”? After all, they’re putting their lives on the line each time they ride.
Winneralright

Wow!!!!!!!
Giddy up

It’s a joke
Winneralright

Wow!!!!!!!
Giddy up

It’s a joke
Trainer

The fact is that since Vallejo got his positive he has won exactly 4 races. His horses performances definitely went down after he was caught.Check his percentage at GG before he got caught and then check it after. This is a drug that cannot be purchased in the US legally. I have watched the Red Dwarf races and the day he won his performance was like no other. As far as the Sarge goes I have never heard him say that he did not serve. He loves everyone to think that he is this big bad military Bad Ass. Battle Born Racing? Yeah maybe the battle of his waistline!!!
Trainer

The fact is that since Vallejo got his positive he has won exactly 4 races. His horses performances definitely went down after he was caught.Check his percentage at GG before he got caught and then check it after. This is a drug that cannot be purchased in the US legally. I have watched the Red Dwarf races and the day he won his performance was like no other. As far as the Sarge goes I have never heard him say that he did not serve. He loves everyone to think that he is this big bad military Bad Ass. Battle Born Racing? Yeah maybe the battle of his waistline!!!
Jimculpepper

Whatever is not specifically permitted by the rules should be emphatically prohibited. This would be a good place to start so that the actual horses are being raced, instead of racing the veterinarians.
As for remarks about names, those who trade on the alleged respectabilty of military service should bear in mind that, like most of our institutions, the learning curve of the military , along with the NCA, does not correspond to actual events and conditions because money and power of position insures that the “chain of command” prefers to throttle those with the intellect and integrity to speak truth to power. Real colonels for the jockey club anyone? As for so many Hispanic names and med positives, this is mostly due to the lack of white kids doing anything on the “back side” besides playing video games and sharing stolen internet files or socially transmitted deseases. I take nothing away from the rank and file military, like the horses, they are used and abused by those who should not be trusted to feed and water their own dog.
- cepatton28
  
  Historically the hispanics are more brutal and have less compassion for the animals. I see this with my own eyes on a daily basis. Too much Machismo …
Jimculpepper

Whatever is not specifically permitted by the rules should be emphatically prohibited. This would be a good place to start so that the actual horses are being raced, instead of racing the veterinarians.
As for remarks about names, those who trade on the alleged respectabilty of military service should bear in mind that, like most of our institutions, the learning curve of the military , along with the NCA, does not correspond to actual events and conditions because money and power of position insures that the “chain of command” prefers to throttle those with the intellect and integrity to speak truth to power. Real colonels for the jockey club anyone? As for so many Hispanic names and med positives, this is mostly due to the lack of white kids doing anything on the “back side” besides playing video games and sharing stolen internet files or socially transmitted deseases. I take nothing away from the rank and file military, like the horses, they are used and abused by those who should not be trusted to feed and water their own dog.
cepatton28

Historically the hispanics are more brutal and have less compassion for the animals. I see this with my own eyes on a daily basis. Too much Machismo …
May Flower

Please, name that track although I realize that all tracks run sore horses.
Cepatton28

Maybe Czar isn’t the correct word. How about a nationwide commissioner voted on by licensed owners to a 5 year term. Then have an appeal board made up of stewards that can teleconference and hear any appeals. Standardized rules and nationwide licenses that are good at every track in the US.

And my own little pipe dream maybe some owners willing to give me some nice horses to train. If anyone wants to pull up the pp’s on the horses I trained before they came to me they can see I do a really good job….
Cepatton28

Maybe Czar isn’t the correct word. How about a nationwide commissioner voted on by licensed owners to a 5 year term. Then have an appeal board made up of stewards that can teleconference and hear any appeals. Standardized rules and nationwide licenses that are good at every track in the US.

And my own little pipe dream maybe some owners willing to give me some nice horses to train. If anyone wants to pull up the pp’s on the horses I trained before they came to me they can see I do a really good job….
Cepatton28

Well Mayflower to avoid any physical conflicts I am not going to name the tracks in recent memory but I sure remember a Frencman’s horses stumbling around there a few years back…
Sandra Warren

I guess you never met a P-town horseman, Stats. Anyone who ever met Ralph Mojica still gets to hear how he won the Hollywood Lassie at 126-1 50 years ago. Personally I’m still boring people with the triumph of my first win with my first horse at Fresno for MCl12500. We’ve got so little else going for us. Have mercy.
WILLIAM L. ANTON

Sandy, don’t worry about Stats, if he doesn’t use his real name shows he is an a–hole. For the horses we have in P-town just surviving is a good thing. I had a 10 times stakes placed mare, and Sassy Conducion a mare that beat many So. Cal horses on the turf. Each winning over 150K. You can only train to the quality of your horse. Where would Baffert be without Mike P. When Stats wants to see me face up and let me know his real identity he is not a man.
Bookiebuster1

Thank you for the good laugh i sure needed that :) Hey Bill can you explain to me and the rest of the site how you can have so much time to masquerade as a “computer tough guy with a name” but you couldn’t manage to win more then 3 races in the last 221 starts in 5 years? I would suggest a dose of humility and play nice because its fairly obvious you never mastered the art of reading a condition book. Well done on that sir that’s not an easy feat to achieve but again i would suggest to you to tone it down to a more civil level regardless.

Oh just so you know bookie buster was my old fart cheap claimer horse who won more races in a summer then you did in 5 years :) go have a look. So technically it is my name forever.
Ace

I am not a Bill Anton fan-in fact, when I had two no name jocks on the NoCal fairs, I would never ride for him-or Tim Bellasis, but, I think Bill can read the condition book. He just never had much stock and didn’t do well with (most) of what he had.
WILLIAM L. ANTON

Yes Ace, I can read the book. Only had a few good horses–Yet I put together $1,496,320 in earnings. As for BB, Mity Vicious (cheap claimer) would have kicked his butt. 9-9-8 on the fairs. Not earthshaking but okay for a non talented trainer.
mike

Barry class 3 and 4 positives are bull. Guys like you run around with the sky is falling is a nice PR stump for Team Valor. Those of us in the know understand that the most serious problem in racing is the perception of ILLEGAL drugs as opposed to the reality.

Everyone has the right to use whatever is LEGAL in their program, only fools do not.
Guest

Racist much?
May Flower

The pimping of the words “therapeutic medication” is shameless, but racing likes to hide behind code words like “strong urging” for strong whipping, “taking a bad step”, etc.
May Flower

Jockeys are the ultimate enablers. Shame on them for failing to protect their own lives by refusing to ride until reforms are passed to protect horses.
May Flower

Tragically, racing is way beyond perception!
Wendy

As a “Maybe Owner” I would appreciate a trainer advertising to the world that his horses are trained “Drug Free” I’m sure this would lead to breeders selecting sires/dams that had run drug free and stayed sound in the long run.
Wendy

As a “Maybe Owner” I would appreciate a trainer advertising to the world that his horses are trained “Drug Free” I’m sure this would lead to breeders selecting sires/dams that had run drug free and stayed sound in the long run.

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