Senate committee wraps up testimony on drugs in horse racing

by | 07.12.2012 | 12:29pm
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The U.S. Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation heard statements and responses from two panels of witnesses Thursday in Washington. The witnesses who testified on “Medication and Performance Enhancing Drugs in Horse Racing” included Team Valor CEO Barry Irwin, Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association Executive Director Kent Stirling, Jockey Club President Jim Gagliano, Meadowlands racetrack operator Jeff Gural, veterinarian Sheila Lyons and Association of Racing Commissioners International CEO Ed Martin.

Click here to read statements from the witnesses.

Click here to view Ray Paulick’s comments on Twitter during the hearing.

Below is a statement from the committee’s chairman, Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller of West Virginia.

I want to thank Senator Udall for requesting this hearing, and I further commend him for his tireless work on this subject.  Horse racing is a noble sport and an economic driver in West Virginia, and I know many who work in the industry care about the health of their horses.

Unfortunately, the inappropriate use of otherwise therapeutic medication in racehorses has long been a problem that has plagued the sport.  Medication such as phenylbuterol or “bute” can legitimately help in the healing process of an ailing horse.  But when bute is used to mask pain on an unsound horse so that he or she can race on the track, the drug becomes an abusive practice that puts the life of the horse and jockey at risk.  Other drugs, such as cobra venom or demorphine, which is a powerful painkiller recently discovered in over 30 horses in 4 different states and is found on the skin of South American tree frogs, have absolutely no therapeutic value and are used purely to cheat.  Any trainer caught using these types of cruel drugs should be banned from the sport.

In 1978, Congress passed the Interstate Horseracing Act into law, and as a result, racetracks around the country have the benefit of simulcasting their racing signals and accepting interstate wagers.  Despite bestowing this unique status on the racing industry, Congress did not impose any standards that address the integrity of the sport, nor the welfare of jockeys, horses or fans.  This Committee has jurisdiction over the Interstate Horseracing Act and was instrumental in its passage.  The law was authored by the former Chairman of this Committee, Senator Magnuson.  As the current Chairman of the Commerce Committee, I am prepared to examine whether or not racetracks continue to deserve this unique federal privilege.  The federal government is already involved in this issue, and it is perfectly reasonable to expect the industry to adhere to uniform standards that protect jockeys, horses, and racing fans.

I look forward to hearing from our witnesses, and I hope today’s hearing begins a constructive dialogue to find solutions to problems that regrettably haunt this very noble sport.  Thank you.

» Read more at New York Times
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  • Five2_three

    Sen. Udall earned his money today, Great job.

  • FE Davidson

    One additional observation…of the 23 committee members, it was a bit disappointing to see how few of the senators attended the hearing; clearly reflecting that this is a low priority.  However, the lack of attending senators provided a better opportunity for the panel members to speak without all of the political grandstanding.  Perhaps, the other committee members will at least read the transcript in their spare time; and, hopefully Udall will shepard this through the system with diligence.

  • FE Davidson

    Another thought…..perhaps the industry should look into racing’s integration of the newly disclosed laser scanning technology that will be available to the TSA.  Allegedly, it is capable of real-time detection of trace elements of almost everything while moving past the equipment at a swift pace.  Although the up front investment is bound to be huge, the human factor (e.g., contaminated samples, etc.) would be virtually eliminated, thereby resulting in potential cost savings and issues related to selective sampling.  Imagine a board lighting up with notice of trace samples of medications as the horses enter the paddock, thereby putting everyone on notice.  The technology is apparently available.  Time to move into the 21st century.

  • Michael J. Arndt

    I agree with every single word I heard Barry Irwin say in his opening statement. I would say I’m at 70% with Kent Stirling’s opening remarks.

  • Chip Wiley

    Hey Mike,

    Barry’s got a bridge to sell you. 

  • Chip Wiley

    What a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars.  

  • Stacey Gunderman White

    Why has no one mentioned the fact that the State Racing Commissions adopt suggested withdrawal time specifications for any or all drugs that are known to the said commissions?   I don’t get it?  This is not solely an issue of the horsemen that are said to be doping or using illegal drugs. ONLY .02% of all licensed trainers in the United States have been found to use illegal banned substances in 2011. Do I believe that the .02% of trainers that use unknown substances such as snake venom or demorphine, YES.  Those are the trainers that attempt to be one step ahead of the testing.  That list of trainers do not include the current poster boys of bad behavior for this sport. 

  • Michael J. Arndt

    Chip, I started playing horses in the 60′s. As we discuss this, 50% of the horses racing in California are racing on Clenbuterol. Half the horses there need treatment with a powerful bronchodialator? Bullshit. Many have figured out how to use it to substitute for steroids. Last nite my friend ran a horse in a $ 200k stake without Lasix or bute and ran 4th. I just looked at the charts for the nite. This is Indiana’s big day, all sorts of 6 figure purses. Her horse and one other were the only ones who supposedly can race with bleeding. 98% of the horse on the card need this to run? Bullshit. Many have figured out how to use it to their benefit.

  • Triplecrownquest

    The very same incompetent individuals running our country into the toilet are going to help horse racing????  What an enormous waste of everyone’s time and our tax payer dollars…The day the US Govt gets involved with Horse Racing will be the END of Horse Racing.

  • Five2_three

    so are you saying let racing police its self ?  how has that worked so far genius ?

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/22NMCXRUWRKTKGNIG3HJBVJPQI Alex

     Colossal is an overstatement. I can think of some truly colossal wastes of “taxpayer dollars”. A hearing is not one of them.

  • Chip Wiley

    Mike,

    Grand Coulee was almost 9-1 in that race and with his two previous dirt beyer nubers of 60 and 62 finishing fourth beaten 13 or so lengths was consistent with the horses previous form. If he doesn’t need the medication that is nice, but if your friend is running a horse without it just to prove a point than she is doing the animal a disservice. 

    As for clenbuterol use, it is a legal therapeutic medication, which helps horses tremendously, the steroidal properties in it are vastly overstated.  Have you ever taken advil, or allergy medicine, or even had a cup of coffee in the morning ?  The hysterics over therapeutic medication are ridiculous.  Until you recognize the difference between therapeutic medication and illegal drugs, you are going to have a tough time understanding the true facts of the medication issues.

  • Stanley inman

    “… Until you recognize the difference between therapeutic medications and illegal drugs
    You are going to have a tough time understanding the true facts of the medication issues”

    Chip
    I understand the difference;

    The entire universe of labeling, and assigning ” therapeutic status,” and “illegal” status to drug horses for competitive advantage is a construction of and by horsemen.

    The drugs we love and want to use (like bute and others like it)
    We bring in world class “experts” to testify that giving them 24 hrs out is just like giving them an aspirin.
    These experts are paid sub-contractors to provide expert testimony.
    Virtually all horses entered are given bute 24 hrs before their race because horsemen have the legal right to do so and for the obvious competitive advantage it produces for unsound horses.

    The rest of the world recognizes the potency of these drugs and their impact on a race and thus has regulated far longer withdrawal times.

    Horsemen love making the distinction between bute and other illegal drugs because it deflects criticism away from the ” therapeutic” abuse of legal drugs.

    As a horsemen I know how powerful bute is;
    I know that it often takes 24-48 hrs, post race before I can confidently appraise soundness after a race. Not bad for a “therapeutic” aspirin.

    This “aspirin” myth will eventually be exposed for what it is.
    ( of course the rest of the world must wait for us to catch up with them and leave our delusional thinking behind)

  • Stanley inman

    Racing in America
    is just like the crackhead with the pipe in his hand
    claiming everybody in his family has bad teeth.
    We are addicted, we can’t get clean by ourselves
    We need help.

  • Triplecrownquest

     It will only make things worse getting the useless congress we have involved in horse racing….get a clue you knowitall.

  • Gail Vacca

    Dr. Sheila Lyons…you are my hero! Thank you for all you do!! 

  • Tinky

    “ONLY .02% of all licensed trainers in the United States have been found to use illegal banned substances in 2011.”

    I’m afraid that you don’t understand how to interpret these statistics. The .02% is a GROSS understatement, as it is based on TESTABLE substances. Most cheating is done with untestable substances, and so the trainers who use them never show up in such misleading statistics.

  • Tinky

    “…it is a legal therapeutic medication, which helps horses tremendously, the steroidal properties in it are vastly overstated.”

    It is, first and foremost, a POTENT bronchodilator. THAT is why it was banned from use on race days, not because of its steroidal effects.

  • take that

    Indeed – I guess she was surprised to find the owners were paying for the vet’s ‘expertise’.

    “As a pre-veterinary student and throughout veterinary school at Tufts I worked at a racetrack that specializes in cheap claiming races in Boston for a veterinarian who had the largest practice there. It was my job to stay with his car and take drug orders all morning, while dispensing medication at the trainer’s request. The only requests that were to be denied were those from clients who had not paid their bills. Then I spent the day filling syringes with the requested medications, I would find the right horse and hand the veterinarian the syringes. I had to tell him what was in them so that he would know if they had to be injected into the horse’s muscle or the vein. This colleague later became the president of the AAEP, the largest trade association for equine veterinarians in the world. Of historical significance is the fact that this association originally formed when a small number of horse racing veterinarians got together specifically to provide a “united veterinary response” to assuage public’s concern about the welfare of horses in racing. The more things change, the more they remain the same. This practice of veterinarians delivering drugs per order of the trainer is still the prevalent standard in this country.

    I recommend to my racing clients that they race in Europe or elsewhere since the USA is the only major racing jurisdiction that supports this drug use outside of the standards in licensed veterinary practice”

  • Ida Lee

    I love horseracing. Why? Because I love horses. They’re beautiful and really is there anything more beautiful than a TB running to the finish line? But, let’s not fool ourselves. This is very close to being a blood sport. Marc Paulhus, a witness at yesterday’s hearing, and an expert in horse welfare, is a friend and he has told me over and over again, these horses are running on performance enhancing drugs and pain medications. The stars, superstars and other fan favorites who bring in the crowds get a little better attention and you try not to dope them up too much.  But the other 99%…well, they’re just given anything that will get them on the track. If they break down, so what. No one will miss them. This is why I’m so torn about this sport. This is why I don’t watch the races of some of my very favorites live. I watch replays because I’m so afraid something will happen to a loved one. As it is, if Union Rags is retired, I don’t know if I can continue following the sport.

  • Klane65

    Wow a lot said here looks like we may getting a uniform medication program

    Furthermore I agree
    The use of non therapeutic drugs purely to cheat should result In a lifetime ban from the sport
    If they cannot play by the rules and have the decency to value the animals and people in their care they have no business in this industry !

  • Five2_three

    so please. do tell how we can stop the cheating. we are all ears.

  • Noelle

    Bullshit is the perfect word.  Thanks.

  • Michael J. Arndt

    Chip, Grand Coulee didnt bleed in the race. He has never bled in a race or a work. If he did, the trainer wouldnt hesitate to put the horse on Lasix. But, if the horse doesnt need it, it shouldnt have it. PERIOD. You don’t take advil every morning in case you get a headache, do you? You throw around the word “therapeutic”…therapy is appropriate ONCE A PROBLEM EXISTS! Trainers in the US have somewhere along the line morphed into preventatively medicating their charges to an unprecedented degree. And there are consequences of using Lasix that many just seem unwilling to acknowledge. This is in my emails today from a friend whose horse suffered a bout of colic after an easy win “The vet said the combination of the heat and Lasix caused dehydration even though she was drinking plenty of water” Now, if the horse bleeds, it should have lasix, but if it doesnt, Lasix just contributed to a potentially fatal problem according to the horses own vet, and definitely left a horse in winning form much the worse for wear. Deny it all you want, legal meds are being abused in certain cases, and used where they are unneccesary far more often than not.

  • Michael J. Arndt

    I was involved in California racing for 25 years. The idea that 50% of the horses there now need clenbuterol is absolutely preposterous. As for its steroidal properties, Chip, they increase when the doses do, and when its combined with rapactomine it yields a powerful steroidal effect.

  • gottafeed

    hey take that, if I remember when the ship hit the sand over steriod abuse, there was absolutely no response from AAEP. Wonder why….

  • Maureen

    No hearing would have been needed if racing wasn’t filled with corruption, crooks, and cruelty.  That is the truth.  Racing will NOT regulate itself – that is proven.  No one is punished for cheating. No one is punished for running unsound horses – on Bute – that break down.  Horses are NOT cars.  They are living, breathing, beings.  And the stuff that goes on at the track would not go on at NASCAR.  If an illegal turbo charger was found when the hood was opened, there would be no excuse accepted.  “Everyone does it”, is not an excuse for what we do to horses in racing.

    Anyone who thinks giving horses “therapeutic” drugs in order for them to race is okay, should talk to a human doctor.  Human doctors prescribe and perform corticosteroid joint injections for people.  And then they tell them to REST.  Not go out and dig ditches.  And they know they can’t inject constantly – or frequently.  The facts are out there, but few want to take their heads out of the sand.

    I love horses, I love Thoroughbreds, I love what horse racing should be.  But racing is an industry, not a sport.  The main participants at risk are horses and jockeys.  Jockeys are paid virtually nothing to risk their lives, and horses are treated in ways that are detrimental to their health.  Cheaters prosper and honest people leave a “sport” where cheaters are in the majority.  Who makes the money?  Trainers.  Who pays the bill?  Horses, jockeys, and owners.  And the public.  Racing will die unless it stops living in the past when the rest of world has moved on to a different ethos.

  • Barry Irwin

    Go to the WADA website and see that clenbuterol and lasix are banned substances. Trackand field athletes caught with either in their system are considered to be “doping.” Clenbuterol is a powerful drug designed for one purpose, to be used when a horse is sick and requires a strong medicine for its respiratory tract. It is not designed or meant for constant use in an athlete.

  • Barry Irwin

    Bute can mask unsoundness in a lame horse.

  • Vertigineux04

    Interesting that I have been in the horse business both as an owner and breeder for more than 40 years and live within 50 miles of Dr. Lyons College/practice/ and never heard of her. And my vet hasn’t either. Or the vet I used to work for, for that matter. 
     

  • Dc

    I own a couple of “the other 99%”  you speak of and they are not running on performance enhancing drugs or pain meds. what gets them on the track is good care and proper training, and I love my “cheap” horses as much as I would if they were stakes horses, and I know I am not alone, so Ida put your broad brush away, I don’t care what your friend told you his facts are skewed and doesn’t that make for a fine witness. I am not saying that racing doesn’t have bad actors but not all 99% are bad.

  • Maureen Tierney

    I’m sure there are many thousands of people you haven’t heard of.  One tends not to be familiar with the people who are in a different circle or have a different agenda.  Are we supposed to believe she doesn’t exist – or that she’s irrelevant?

    I was at Suffolk Downs in the late 80′s and know exactly what vet she’s talking about.  As probably does anyone on this list who was there.  My estimate at the time was that he was making at least $10K a day – on race days.

  • Triplecrownquest

     It will take people with courage and character to make the right decisions to stop the cheating in Horse Racing.  The US Govt are NOT those people.

  • Vertigineux04

    Yes, there are lots of people I haven’t heard of. But I have been around the racetrack, longer than you it sounds like, and yes, she must be talking about Dr. Marty Simonsen, who in addition, was the Vet for the US Olympic team. Dr. Simonsen was  one of several vets that I used during that time. Probably some of that $10,000 a day was my money! That  amount is way off though. 
      
    Not saying Dr. Lyons doesn’t exist, nor am I saying is she irrelevant. But curious that she is not a member of AVMA. Just saying that I would like to know someone, anyone, that has heard of her.I am very much interested in the Lasix debate, but I only want to hear what experts have to say. I would also like to know how she was the one vet that was invited (?) to speak before the Senate. If you know her, and know anything about her, apart from what her website says, could you share it with us?

       

  • Convene

     Yup

  • Convene

     Also yup

  • Maureen Tierney

    No, she’s not talking about Simonsen.  She’s talking about Sheehan.  As for the Lasix debate and experts.  What experts? No one wants to hear the truth.  First there is no scientific proof (read study) proving that bleeding is caused by high blood pressure.  Fact: Horses are built to have high blood pressure, as up to a third of their red blood cells are stored in their spleen and released into the blood stream when they run.  Fact: horses in Europe, Australia, etc.  train on Lasix and it’s effective.  Why is that?  No one appears to care, but the fact is that a diuretic flushes fluid from the system for only a few hours.  So how can it be that Lasix is effective days after administration?  Could it be because Salix/Lasix is a sulfonamide is in fact treating a respiratory infection?   Fact: Vets are not experts on Lasix unless they choose to make themselves so.  Like human doctors they believe what drug reps tell them.  And what has become “common” knowledge.

  • Maureen Tierney

     Are you trying to be funny?  Anyone with courage and character who tries to tell the truth or change the status quo is vilifed.  The years of failure to change racing – for the better – should be a clue that it will take more than a few people with courage and character.  Racing people do not want to hear the truth.  They certainly do not want to change.

    I believe real change will have to come from owners demanding ethics from their trainers and vets.  Many owners are highly successful in other businesses yet come to racing like naive children, trusting what racing “pros” tell them.  When they start to do their own research and demand what’s best – then things will change.  Until then??

  • Maureen Tierney

     AMEN!!!!

  • ziggypop

     The industry is doing a very good job of ending racing themselves.

  • Maureen Tierney

    That is the truth!  Racing needs fans and it is losing them constantly.  Some from old age and some from disgust.  Meanwhile, they make no effort to woo new fans from the younger generations.  Fans are out there – waiting – but what are they offered?  Zenyatta is proof that people are paying attention and the fans want horses they recognize and can cheer on.  If I’ll Have Another hadn’t been scratched the crowd at the Belmont would have been the biggest in many years. 

    There are bright people out there with good ideas.  And they have better success talking to the horses than to people in racing. 

    If one didn’t know better, one would think racing is full of idiots.  Oh wait . . .

  • ziggypop

    As long as anyone looks away and does nothing about the cheaters, one becomes complicit. And not just in horse racing. The canine industry is the same, with their inbreeding and puppy mills.

    Don’t even get me going on the quarter horse people.

    If the beautiful sport of horse racing is going to survive, it must be cleaned up, ergo, more must be done to protect the horses, while they are racing and one their racing careers are done, no matter the track.

  • Maureen Tierney

     Thank you!  That is the truth.  If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. 

  • Vertigineux04

    I get that you are very passionate about your stand.But I will have to disagree with you that all vets (and Drs) do just what drug reps tell them to do. That’s a discussion for another time.
    And IMO, Doc Sheehan and his son, were both excellent vets.
    So which vets are experts on Lasix, in your opinion? Dr.Lyons mentions a study she did on 12 horse last year. Where? Who? Did they compete? What was the follow-up? Again, if you have any info on Dr. Lyons, and her expertise in treating bleeders apart from what is on her website, which is mostly advertising her business, I would love to hear it.
    …Still haven’t found anyone that’s heard of her….
     

  • Barney Door

     Clenbuterol is a nonsteroidal anabolic and metabolism accelerator.

    Ventipulmin and dexamethosone are routinely given to horses with no prior or existing breathing problems.  Their use can result in suppressed immune systems and lead to acute respiratory infections.

  • Barney Door

     Evidence of bleeding can be established by scoping almost any horse following strenuous exercise.  A rating system of 1-5 is generally accepted here and overseas.  In some other countries a horse that exceeds a certain threshold is banned from racing.  Here, almost any trainer who wants to find bleeding can and will.

  • Barney Door

     Also, other legal meds given several days prior to racing ascerbate the dehydration problem.  Horses that are already dehydrated, no matter how much they drink, are then given lasix.  Used properly, lasix has a value.  “Properly” is the key word.

  • Maureen Tierney

    I didn’t comment on Dr. Sheehan, other that to say I guesstimated his income to be about $10K per day.  That is simple math.  Anyone on this list can do math.  There were 1500 horses stabled at Suffolk Downs.  Sheehan treated the majority.  So say on any given day he treated only 200 horses (I would wager he treated more).  At only $50 per horse (low ball figure) that is $10K.  Hardly an unreasonable estimate.

    I urge all owners to mulitply their vet bills by 50 or 100 to see what it’s likely their vets are pulling in on a day.  It’s pretty obvious that there is a conflict of interest there – when it comes to raceday meds.  Won’t you agree?

    Another area where people in racing refuse to see the truth.  Which vet is going to support something that will rob him of over a coupe million dollars a year? (Say $10K per day 5 days a week 50 weeks a year.)

    As to experts on Lasix.  I have no idea.  As I said there is not even any scientific study proving bleeding is caused by high blood pressure.  So who can be an expert?  I have a fairly low opinion of most “experts”.  I have done a lot of reading and a lot of practical observation.  Unlike what is portrayed in the movies, science does not seek the truth.  Scientists seek to prove their individual theories.  Common sense has little place.  And my best example of this is human doctors being taught in medical school – up into the 1980′s!!!!!! – that infants feel no pain.
    Surgery was regularly performed on them with only a paralytic – no anesthesia.  Can you imagine!!!  The sad truth is that most doctors and vets believe what they’re taught – right or wrong.  That is verifiable and not hard to find on the internet.

    http://www.usatoday.com/news/h…
    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02…

    As to Dr. Lyons.  What difference does it make if she’s not famous?  That doesn’t make her wrong.  Fame doesn’t make a person right.  Clearly someone has heard of her.  Dr. Larry Bramlage quotes her work, and the NY State Board for Veterinary Medicine had her speak at at least one meeting.  That is what I found in one brief google search.  Clearly someone else must know her for her to be invited to speak before a Senate committee. 

  • Barney Door

     California track vets are the worst abusers we have encountered after racing in 9 different jurisdictions.  They make a $100+ per pop. Clenbuterol is unnecessary for a healthy horse.

    Unlike dex, clenbuterol is non-steriodal.

    Amen to Barry re: Bute

  • Barney Door

     Absolutely, 100% correct.  Chip does not have a clue.

  • Barney Door

     We are personally familiar with Matz and his vets.  Nothing they would do contributed to Union Rags’ problem.  It is an unfortunate situation, nonetheless. There are many other trainers who also consider the well being of the horses in their care.  You would like racing better if others adopted their practices.

  • Barney Door

     Your statement ignores the misuse of legal drugs prior to race day.

  • Vertigineux04

    I think it would be a good idea for each track to employ a vet that would be the one and only person who would give Lasix. This could be given at a discount rate and all income could go to TB retirement. Owners would be happy, trainers would be happy, the wagering crowd would be happy, and retired horses would be happy.And above all, horses that need it to breathe better, will be happy.
    Seriously, not concerned if Dr. Lyons is famous just want to find out more about her. It’s important to me and to the Lasix debate.

  • Barney Door

     Agree with your argument, but not the analogy.

  • Maureen Tierney

     Exactly.  And consider this: racing officials make a big deal that horses have to undergo a vet check on raceday.  What good is a lameness check (which is 99% of what it is) on a horse that is on Bute? 

  • Barney Door

     Yes, and they pump a lot more unneccessary meds other than just bute into horses outside the 24-48 hour pre-race window

  • Barney Door

     His intentions are good.  The bill is flawed and will not pass.

  • Maureen Tierney

    I think that’s a great idea! 

    As for Dr. Lyons, I can understand you wanting to know more about her.  But the information on Lasix is out there.  We should learn to make our own decisions.  I am not against Lasix.  Lasix is not the problem in racing.  It’s almost like a red herring.  Shout Lasix often enough and people will forget the real issue.  All the other stuff.  Joint injections, running on pain meds, running unsound horses.

    Racing unsound horses is the problem.  If all racehorses got for racing was Lasix, who could argue with that?  Certainly not me. 

  • Barney Door

     To say you have hit the nail on the head, hits the nail on the head.

  • Maureen Tierney

    Exactly.  And really it’s for nothing.  Only one horse in a race ends up winning. So all those drugs were for nothing.  And they actually are not good for the horses and could actually be diminishing performance – but no one tests to see if that’s true.  That would be a good study.  If owners told their trainers not to give their horses anything but Lasix, how different would the results be?  Not that different (unless they were getting something totally illegal that actually enhances performance).  But it would certainly be a monetary savings for the owners!

  • Ben K McFadden

    Sen.
    Udall has attempted to address a problem in racing by presenting a badly written
    piece of legislation.  It has little or
    no chance of passing in its present form.  The absence of committee members reflects more
    on quality of the bill than on the credibility of the witnesses or the need for
    real reforms.

  • Stanley inman

    I think your point about who are the experts addresses a major obstacle why the sport refuses to change.
    Our sport very quickly priviledges “insider” status.
    It’s a small world comprised of power brokers who are responsible for where the split is.
    When they get old their “seat” is handed over to their sons(we would be much better off if it went to their daughters)
    And the reign coontinues.
    This group assigns “expert” status;( which includes vets;)
    The vets provide “expert” testimony for the status quo.
    The inhabitants of this world refuse to believe is corrupt,
    Thus point fingers to deflect attention.
    The world is different today, we all have equal voices with the internet;
    it’s not who you are;
    It’s the validity of what you say.

  • Maureen Tierney

     Well said!

  • Triplecrownquest

     There is nobody in the United States Congress that have any courage or character…I base that on the simple fact that they do not do ANYTHING and get paid enormous sums of money…but I agree with what you wrote Maureen…owners need to band together..if that is possible.

  • Triplecrownquest

     Very true Ziggy,,but the industry will only end sooner if the US Govt gets involved.

  • Maureen Tierney

     Sad but true. 

    I am a barefoot trimmer and it is the owners of horses who are demanding better hoofcare.  And things have changed a lot in the 11 years I’ve been trimming.  I guess they could be called “rogue owners”.  Not in an association.

    I think racing needs some “rogue owners” to make a difference.  Individual owners with courage and character – and intelligence!!  They are out there.  It seems to be a fact that once an organization is formed – for a good cause – the bigger and more “successful” it gets, the less it does along the lines of its original inception. 

    I happen to be a rogue owner and a rogue trainer. LOL.  Hopefully my horses will make it to the track this year and set an example.

  • Equistock

    You cannot be serious…
    Ok, let’s break this down real quick.
    Udall is well-intentioned, but has a long way to go before he understands racing and it’s problems. If racing has to depend on him, there is no hope.
    Mr. Irwin has an “unwavering zero tolerance perspective” and still runs his horses on Lasix. duh….
    And Dr. Shiela Lyons is not a racetrack trainer; therefore, with the exception of a 12 horse study she did last year on Lasix, just what are her credentials to be an authority on the subject?
    The only message from the Senate hearings that was loud and clear is that those that break the law in using designer drugs should be ruled off for life. Take a few away in handcuffs, take their ability to make a livelyhood away from them, and see how fast things change. 
     

  • Barry Irwin

    Barney, clenbuterol has “steroidal” properties and is recognized and regarded as such by the World Anti Doping Association. QH trainers love it because of this.

  • Barry Irwin

    Is equistock anything like a bialystock? If so, gimme your bakery’s address because I might want to buy a dozen for Sunday brunch. Thanks. I’ll get my own cream cheese.

  • Equistock

    Nice way to make new clients Mr. Irwin.

    Now, Bagel boy – shouldn’t you be out somewhere looking for horses (ones that don’t need Lasix) ?

  • Maureen

    Big mouth for someone without enough courage in his convictions to use his/her real name.  What are you hiding from?  Who are you?  What is your level of expertise?  Bettor, owner, trainer? 

  • Staceyjgw

    No need to interpret the stat. It is what it is. I would suggest reading the ARCI Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances. As well as investigate every racetracks House Rules and the Procedures and Protocol they implement to protect the sport such as Security and Testing. The idea that the its a free for all prior to the race and suspicious behavior goes unnoticed is simply juvenile. What I believe the general assumption by most of the comments regarding trainers is that the majority are cheating to some extent which is simply not true. This is the minority and generally happens at smaller, understaffed jurisdictions.

  • Equistock

    Maureen,
    Maybe Mr. Irwin will put you on the payroll to stand up for him on blogs and websites.
    Instead of making fun of someone he doesn’t know, (and in your case) – demanding – ‘what level of expertise do you have?’ maybe he/you should have just addressed why he continues to use Lasix on his horses. We are discussing Drugs and Racing, remember.That’s what this forum is for. 
    And BTY,I would not use the words ” big mouth” if I were you. 

  • Tinky

    “No need to interpret the stat.”

    That you believe that suggests a remarkable naïveté on your part.

    The most insidious performance enhancing drugs have almost invariably been undetectable for years before tests were developed.

    EPO, clenbuterol, milkshakes, and the list goes on.

    I’ve never asserted anything like the majority of trainers are cheating. But you are sadly mistaken if you believe that it goes on primarily in smaller jurisdictions. 

  • Maureen Tierney

    Lasix is not the problem in racing.  If racehorses only received one shot of Lasix, on race day, as the only allowed medication, what would that hurt?  Anyone who truly believes Lasix can keep their horse from suffering bleeding, and potential death, would be remiss in NOT using it. 

  • Chip Wiley

    How many Team Vlor horses have ever been given Clenbuterol for any purpose ?  Produce the vet bills and let’s see.  Stop being a hypocrite. You know exactly what it is used for and that there is a withdrawl time of 4-5 days.  Your pious hypocrisy is wearing extremely thin.  

    By the way, explain to the neophyte posters and readers here why Went the Day Well ran on not one but TWO anti-bleeder medications in the Kentucky Derby, after racing in Europe before his purchase by you medication free.  Shall we infer that since you insist on calling Lasix a performance enhancing drug, that his 4th place finish was artificially medication induced and he is nowhere near as good a horse as you say he is, and surely worth nowhere near the $850,000 paid for him ?

  • Staceyjgw

    Actually there are jurisdictions that have implemented that vary procedure. However, it is the state governing body over the track not the track itself. Kentucky is one that comes in mind. A state vet administers. It ensures the administering of furosemide is within the acceptable guidelines of “time out” of a race and quantity.

  • Chip Wiley

    Stanley, according to equibase, your lifetime training record of 22 starts 1 Win 1 Second and 4 Thirds for $ 12,597 hardly qualifies you as an expert on ANYTHING related to a THOROUGHRED RACEHORSE, or, the thoroughbred business.  Calling yourself a “horseman” is akin to Paris Hilton calling herself an “actress”. 

  • http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples

    WHY???…

  • Equistock

    We agree! Racetracks need to SERIOUSLY punish those that actually “dope” horses. But taking away raceday Lasix to horses that need it, is NOT doing what’s best for the horse. Those that want a ban on raceday Lasix are only worried about the public perception of racing, and not the horses’ health and welfare. The public perception of racing does need fixing, but not at the expense of the horse.
    Nice chatting with you.

  • http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples

    “MINORITY ARE CHEATING”…Ed Martin…THAT FOLKS IS PURE BS…

  • Staceyjgw

    My naïveté as you suggest is an unwarranted defamation. And I do not post on here to create a rise but to merely suggest additional points that are being grossly overlooked and first hand knowledge of what goes on under a shedrow at tracks big and small. My point is that the emphasis of drug misuse is put more so on the trainer. Where other parties are also involved specifically, their attending vets who act as consultants in addition to administrar. I am trying to establish here that the bad seeds are a definite minority and their counterparts follow the house rules to preclude wrongdoing.

  • Staceyjgw

    Maureen- Are currently accept ironing any racehorses? I have a barren Medaglio Doro filly that needs to be placed.

  • Staceyjgw

    Stupid iPad spellchecked wrong. I meant are you currently accepting any retired racehorse. The mare I spoke of is sound just has bad PPs and is barren.

  • http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples

    LETS SEE IF I CAN RACK UP 3 FLAGS TODAY???…LATER…

  • http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples

    & A TON OF INCOMPETENT humans ARE PUTTING THEM THERE!!!…PERIOD…

  • Stanley inman

    Horsemen initiated this notion that “cheaters” are only defined as those guilty of class one and two violations.
    What about the remaining classifications that are violated?
    So are we to believe that “overages” of bute are not cheating?
    I wish that were the case but my neighbor in my barn was found positive twice in the past six months for overages for bute, and did not lose his purse for a win.
    These events are not benign “accidents” as apologists claim.

    “overages” of (spuriously defined group we label) “therapeutic medications

    Just because horsemen reps like Kent Sterling and others purposely do not include class 4 violations in their stats; thereby adding their under-represented group labeled “cheaters”) doesn’t mean class 4 violators aren’t CHEATERS!

    Just because the Hbpa has successfully lobbied racing commissions to buy their self-serving definitions which influence creation of finger-wagging penalties for “overages”
    Doesn’t mean it’s not CHEATING!

    Overages are Commonplace; not accidental and the hbpa takes the low road by refusing to acknowledge their presence as CHEATING!

    Overages can mean the difference between winning and losing.

  • http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples

    AMEN…AMEN…AMEN…TY!!!…

  • http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples

    GET REAL…PLEASE…

  • http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples

    TRY JAIL TIME…LIFE TIME BANS???…

  • Maureen Tierney

    If you are serious, yes I have room for one more. I am at 11 and my max is 12.  I will tell you we are not a conventional rescue.  All the horses live out in a single herd 24/7, and it’s not a fancy place. The important thing to me is that the horses are happy.  And they are.   The following link is a shot of my front yard – which faces my “big field” where I have my “track”.  The horses are completely free (unfenced) in the photos and can be seen eating grain side by side, and even sharing.  My 4 year old filly – who I hope to get to the track this year is the light chestnut.  And my gelding Money Talkin is the darker of the bays.  A daughter of Tiznow is the other bay.  The other chestnut is 22 year old Lease A Man, who we took in (in Colorado) in 2003.  That is what happy horses look like.  Relaxed!

    http://www.theracehorseexperim…

  • Stanley inman

    Should read;
    “overages” of ( the spuriously defined group we label “therapeutic medications”) are the result of conscious risk taking by horsemen who view the the low penalty used as a deterrent a fair price to wager against getting caught in their quest to win a race.

  • Maureen Tierney

    Triplecrownquest is right.  And I will add, dedication to the cause, and a lot of money If I were a billionaire, I would open my own track.  I would canvas the states who currently have racing and would be interested in my idea – and of course, would give me racing dates.
    I would build a track from scratch.  I would implement many of the ideas I have, from those regarding fans, to science, to the health and happiness of the horses.  A racing association would have to be created – with its own rules, which supersede the state’s rules.  There would be NO DRUGS allowed in horses who are racing, with the exception of Lasix (until such time as the true cause of bleeding is discovered and a better solution is known).  The track would be open for training all day.  I have never understood the point of training horses in the cool of the morning, then expecting them to run in the heat of the day.  Standardbred trainers understand this – I have seen them training at 2 in the afternoon on dark days.

    There would be turnout areas.  There would be a natural turf training area with hills.

    Trainers would have to join the association and agree to the rules to race there.  And I honestly believe many would want to.  I also believe it would be a success and stimulate true change within the industry.

    Just the gist – I have a more detailed “dream”.

  • Triplecrownquest

     You think that someone would actually be put in jail James??  Although I agree with that…WHO exactly will be putting a trainer in jail?

  • Maureen Tierney

    That is not true.  It is true that it takes money to get a good horse.  It takes time and money to get a horse to the track, if it’s not your full-time, paid job.  Clearly Stanley is not surviving on his racing income.  There is the Thoroughbred racehorse and there is the Thoroughbred Business.  They are not the same, by any means.

    As far as “horseman”.  One does not need to be in racing to be a horseman.  And there are not a huge number of them IN racing.  True Horsemen do not abuse horses, they do not dope horses, they do not run unsound horses.  They understand the true nature of the horse, and its physical, mental, and emotional needs.  It’s not about the money.

    As I watched the TV coverage for the Belmont, I saw footage of D.Wayne Lukas, showing his black eye and stitches from his horse striking him in the head.  I also saw footage of I’ll Have Another being hand grazed, with what I assume were Doug O’Neil’s children close by.  Who is the horseman?  I can tell you, horses do not accidentally strike you in the head.  A horseman would understand that the horse was making a statement. 

  • http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples

    FIX N ANY SPORT GAME ON THE PLANET EXCEPT HORSE RACE N U GO TO PRISON!!!…

  • Tinky

    Yes, “bad seeds” are in the minority, and yet some of the biggest stables, and best known trainers fall or fell into that category. So while the majority of trainers do not cheat, there has, unfortunately, been a disproportionate impact made on the sport by the “minority” who do.

    As to your other point, no one, to my knowledge, has suggested that the vets who facilitate cheating are not at least equally culpable.

  • Stanley inman

    Chip,
    That’s the best you could do?
    I know you want to play,
    but you have to make a commitment
    invest in trying to do better;
    Put something into it if you want to be a player
    Otherwise,
    you get to keep warming the bench.

  • Maureen Tierney

    Absolutely.

  • Maureen Tierney

    Race fixing is different and you do go to jail for that. I agree that jail time for cheaters would be a deterrent.  And since they are breaking state regulations they should be able to be sent to jail – as long as jail time is put in the regulations as a punishment.   Really, if you can be sent to jail for refusing to pick up dog poop on the street – they should be able to send you to jail for doping horses.

  • Romans

    ”unsoundness”?? ”Lameness” is the correct term, Barry. When you take aspirin for a headache, are you actually speaking with ”unsound” mind? 

  • Maureen

    Really?  Lame mind?  Things can be unsound without being lame.  Lame means being unable to walk normally.  A horse with a fracture may not be lame, but is unsound.

  • Staceyjgw

    I will check it out. My cousin and I went partners on breeding her as I provided the season share. However she did not take. I will talk it over with him and get back to you at your link. Thanks!

  • Ben K McFadden

    Stacey:  Filly couldn’t be very old.  Have problem been diagnosed?

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