The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

rapture — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:00:36 GMT

I'm late in commenting, but it happens. I have to wonder just how truly talented Dutrow really is as a horseman. It takes quite a bit of talent, knowledge, and good practices to get a horse to peak at the right time, to recover well from an injury or illness, and to keep them sound, no matter what the sport is.

Is it a shame? Yes. It's a shame the light didn't flicker on in his head and make him think, "Hey, I keep getting hit with medication violations. Maybe I should stop doing something that is very obviously BAD so that I don't get in worse trouble." Any honest person would get that through their head at some point, right? It's a shame he's so bull-headed, and maybe conditioned by the continued slaps on the wrist. It's beyond high time the powers that be took the kid gloves off and administered one hell of a spanking.

Dutrow can love horses all he wants. Why get involved in racing in any way if you can't at least appreciate the animals? I firmly believe that greed is more powerful than love, and greed took control of Dutrow. He wanted to win. And win he did. But was it his own natural, God-given talent and the power and speed of the horses in his care, or was it drugs?

It boils down to honesty and the paper trail. The paper trail is extensive, and Dutrow hasn't exactly been honest. The rules from state to state aren't uniform. Stewards are giving out too many slaps on the wrists and not enough well-deserved spankings.

The other comments made justifiable references to Lance Armstrong. To that end, it's about damn time.

And Steve, please save the sarcasm should you respond. I'm not blind, nor am I stupid. If that boy (Dutrow) loves the horses in his care, then he would at least be honest, and not just with the public. He would be honest with himself.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Be kind to the horses — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:35:07 GMT

He loves the horses, well words are words if these horses were juiced then it goes beyond loving it becomes more about the win and the money. I see what goes on, on those tracks and behind the scenes and I am appauled that these horses are raced before their legs are ever allowed to be developed, so as far as that goes all that know that and force these magnificent horses to race and so many break down and then are discarded, it is shameful and a disgrace, take your blinders off and evolve. Look what happened to Eight Belles, what an absolute disgrace...The horses suffer because of mans greed and their EGO....So much for loving the horse, yah, rite

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Weezie — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 07:35:50 GMT

Bravo Steve for having the chutzpah to tackle this thorny topic! Though I do not condone repeat violations either, I also don't like the existing hypocrisy! I firmly believe that it is a personal vendetta against a man, that no matter how guilty, was never presumed innocent! This was strictly because the powers that be do not like Rick Dutrow or his unrefined manner. If he was more "buttoned down" or reserved like TAP, or perhaps more suave & sophisticated like a few other top Trainers that I shall not name, he would not have become the focus of their self-serving witchhunt. If they really cared about the horses or thought he was actually hurting them, they would have stopped him in his tracks a long time ago. And in the spirit of employee assistance, if they had a heart or an inkling of compassion, they would have intervened and insisted on punishing him early on when it really mattered and could have made a difference, and prevented this dragged out charade. Most importantly, how can there be justice for one if there is not justice for all?! I know many here convicted Rick in the court of public opinion long before his final appeal was up, but I also know there are many insiders who feel his 10 year ban is a travesty because they know he was only guilty of being the 1st in their line of attack. Many will call me a Pollyanna, the foolish though very proud daughter of a Minister, but what saddens me the most is of how unwilling so many today are of experiencing the power of forgiveness...of how quickly we judge and condemn others without looking in the mirror or allowing second chances! Did Rick deliberately drug his horses to abuse and kill them?! Did any of his horses break down after alleged violations?! Or have any of you ever made mistakes or regretted transgressions in your youth or past or broke the law, even if relatively minor?! People literally get away with Murder these days and get out after 5 or 6 years on a technicality. And even felons are allowed by Judges that get the bigger picture to remain on the job....to not be denied their chance to make a living....to not take away the only thing they know or the only way they can contribute! Rick Dutrow loves his horses and is a very talented Trainer and did not deserve a 10 year ban! 60 days used to be a huge sentence, and imho, 2 years would have been plenty now. Trust me, for someone who lives and breathes for their profession, 2 years would punish him more than any of you could ever imagine! Once again, don't be so quick to judge, and don't deny anybody in this great country of ours the right to make a living the only & best way they know how for so very many years, without punishing others that have and are doing the same thing!

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Lise from Maine — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 01:21:03 GMT

Hi!

I enjoy seeing horses who win on their own merit, for ex., Barbaro.

As far as I know, Barbaro was not medicated in his racing career other than when he had an injury. The Jacksons are against needless medicating. Good for them.

Barbaro's win is what got me interested in thoroughbred horse racing, and there are many things that I like about the sport and some things that I despise.

I do not like what happened to Barbaro's half brother Dyna King. It is tragic that he was abandoned and later found and returned to health somewhat.This is disgusting that he was abandoned.

The horse racing industry needs to get their act together in order to keep fans and bring in newcomers to the industry.

Cheaters are not welcome, and those who abandon their horses are

not either plus owners need to be more responsible in disposing of their unwanted horses after they leave the tracks. These horses can be retrained, and slaughtering them is a no no.

Thank you!

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Slew — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:13:51 GMT

Steve, I had not meant to imply the comment was deleted, only that it did not transmit.

I've spoken with NFL players. A lot quit...because...it's the NFL who started them in abusing drugs. In an injury, they get a shot of lidocaine and prednisone. (Been there, done that) the lidocaine numbs the area, and the prednisone reduces the swelling and eliminates the pain. Many times, the injection site hurts like hell for 3 days, and has to be kept iced. After that, there is no longer any pain. But the damage remains damaged until it slowly heals. Athletes use the steroid to mask the pain so that they can return to the field. But every Doctor warns you that over use of the affected area could lead to even more extensive damage.

Now the shots have become more sophisticated, and there is less pain at the injection site.

To me, the short term benefit of steroids is so very much outweighed by the negative long term side effects.

If a horse faces an injury so severe that it requires a steroid, then he shouldn't be racing or working out UNTIL that injury is healed.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Paula Higgins — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:00:47 GMT

Slew, I understand your point of view as well. Steroids can be a very good thing if used for the right reasons. They have to be used judiciously.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Steve Haskin — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:42:10 GMT

Slew, I didnt delete any of your posts. Athletes used to take steroids all the time to help come back quicker from an injury.

Loughmad, if you want your comments posted you have to explain them and provide proof rather than throw out unsubstantiated cryptic comments

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Elizabeth Martiniak — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:14:10 GMT

The shame of it is that Dutrow is a talented horseman who did not need to cheat. But he chose to do so, not once or twice, but dozens of times. I cannot feel sorry for a man like that. He is a black eye on the integrity of the sport. If he loves his horses so much, then why inject them with drugs to mask infirmities and run through pain. he was driven by greed and ego. His brash and often nasty demeanor did nothing to help matters any. As far as I am concerned, good riddance. Houses need to be cleaned of their vermin. We got one, now let's make an effort to clean up the sport I love even more.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

jimthepimp — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:13:45 GMT

I have been an advocate of no drugs in horseracing for years. There are lots of trainers and vets that will disagree with that statement. Rick Dutrow didnt get a fair shake over the years. Years ago him and everyone else should of got stiffer penalities for there violations. That being said he should get some credit for his improved record lately. Penalties should be handed out evenly and progressively. I agree that a 2 or 3 year ban would of sent the right message here. Rules should be made that go to everyone by violation class and number of violations. That way everyone knows the rules and outcomes are if they decide to give there horses drugs. Until all of this happens we will continue to have trainers get away with things they shouldnt get away with and regulators not sending a clear message to everyone. I have no problem with any rules as long as they are the same for everyone. Put the rules in writing that will be honored accross the country and be as tough as you want. Just dont make them up as you go along.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Slew — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:30:36 GMT

Apparently a comment I made last night did not quite make it.

Steve, I do respect and admire you, but saying steroids help healing is not what the medical community advises. The benefit to a steroid is that they mask pain and reduce inflamation and swelling. However, according to doctors, Steroids negatively affect wound healing. Steroids have so many negative side effects...they thin the blood, retard healing, and leave the user susceptible to various infections, that can quickly become major problems. This is not just anabolic steroids; this is ALL steroids...even that little dab of ointment folks use on poison ivy is absorbed into the body and can build up. Just this past Fall, I also discovered that large doses of steroids actually reduce the body's insulin production.

A lot of athletes have been condemned for their use of anabolic steroids. But horse racing tends to use cortisone and prednisone essentially to reduce swelling in joint and muscle problems...it's abuse comes when it's used to mask an injury. The injury remains, but the horse doesn't feel the pain. If the horse is allowed to race, irreparable damage will be done to the affected injury.

Paula, I really do understand your point of view. However, Dutrow has been filing appeal after appeal for the past few years. The court knocked down every appeal. They simply got tired of hearing appeals that had no merit.

People want to call him a scapegoat; they say everybody does it! The point is, he did commit the infractions. He's not paying for others' sins; he's paying for his own. In 2008, Dutrow had been suspended or fined 72 times by US horse-racing authorities. Some people don't seem to learn from their mistakes. That's why the penalty is so stiff.

My only problem with the hearings is that the board cited 69 infractions, some major...going back to 1979. (that's just in NY state). 1979? Really? Were these infractions handled appropriately at the time they were committed? If they were, and he didn't learn from them, he earned the 10 year ban. But I still can't understand the idea behind a retroactive denouncement.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Paula Higgins — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 02:55:52 GMT

Slew, I understood how you meant the reference to Barretta. I was just needling you. Look, Ernie Paragallo deserved more than a lifetime ban from racing. Prison would have been appropriate as well. We cannot compare that particular monster to Rick Dutrow. So many of you commenting here presume to know him better than the people who actually do know him. He is not evil incarnate. mwill, not being "a good amabassador for the sport" is not even close to reason enough for banning someone from their livelyhood for 10 years. To say the guy doesn't love his horses is just nonsense. He clearly loved his horses, Winstrol or no Winstrol. So did all the other trainers who gave their horses Winstrol. These trainers flourished for years in a climate where Winstrol was tolerated and/or winked at. We are talking about a drug that has been used for years with no penalty. When the "powers that be" finally got serious about clamping down, some got the message and responded appropriately. There were others that continued to use drugs in violation of the rules. Rick Dutrow was not alone in this. But he was cherry picked to be the one they made an example of and in my opinion that is because they didn't like his personality or attitude towards the NYRA. So for all of you who think Rick Dutrow is being justly banned, I am sure you would want the other trainers with numerous violations in the past to be aggressively ferreted out by the NYRA and banned for 10 years as well. You would be missing quite a few trainers. As for the New York State of Appeals Court refusing to hear this case when he appealed, you could count on it. There was no way any court was going to get involved in this hornet's nest for a variety of reasons. Appeals courts just don't want to deal with cases like this. Ted from LA, Rick Dutrow is Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm compared to the above cast of characters. Why didn't you throw in Michael Vick while you were at it? Speaking of which......

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

The Deacon — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 02:37:42 GMT

Shoeless Joe Jackson doesn't belong in that group in my opinion. Man are we getting way off base here.

I agree with Ky Vet: Idiotic sentence, 10 years is ludicris. He did wrong, he was arrogant, he felt he was above the rules, but the crime doesn't fit the punishment in my book.

Look how they jumped all over O'Neill last while on the Derby trail. Wise Dan is a very good horse but I'll Have Another was the HOTY in my book and it isn't even close. I mention again the Life at Ten fiasco and the John Veitch witch hunt that both Lenny and Steve addressed on the ATO show.........as far as I concerned the governing powers that be have no credibility. maybe that's harsh but that is how I look at it......

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Your Only Friend — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 02:17:58 GMT

Mr. Haskins ...nice article but why not do the public a real service and publish those who are fined and sat down by racing commissions around the country on weekly/monthly basis....should not take much man power or research.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Ted from LA — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 23:21:19 GMT

I think like Martha Stewart, Pete Rose, Lance Armstrong, Barry Bonds, Shoeless Joe Jackson, etc... Rick Dutrow is misunderstood.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

mwill — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:28:49 GMT

I think I am in the majority by saying "the real shame" is that he got away with this for so long. And, with his attitude, he is not a good ambassador for the sport.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Slew — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:21:12 GMT

Steve, as much as I respect and admire you, I must disagree on one point..You said..."Mostly steroids have been used to help a horse recover from an injury more quickly."

Steroids mask pain and reduce an inflamation. In no way do they contribute to healing. In fact, steroids have been shown to hinder the healing process. While using steroids, a person (horse) is more vulnerable to infection.

From Dr. Lullove:

"Steroids negatively affect wound healing by inhibiting the inflammatory response needed to start the healing process. Additionally exogenous or external steroids (even topical) will cause the wound and patient to be susceptible to opportunistic bacteria that may increase the risk of infection."

And this is not restricted to anabolic steraoids. Any steroid has short term benefit, but long term detriment.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Steve Haskin — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:26:09 GMT

Bill Two, the difference between Buddy Jacobson and Rick Dutrow is that Jacobson admitted in print he didn't like horses.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Siphon — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:05:32 GMT

Great Piece on Dutrow. These trainers are all glad to see him and his 30% win percentage go. I wonder if some of these 11% guys would like their livelihood taken from them for 10 years? Rick Dutrow painted his own target on his own back, but 10 years? Let's tiptoe around the medication positives for years with little to no penalty, and then we'll shoot up the easy target like Bonnie and Clyde. His detractors can point to his multiple mediation positives over the years, but one statistic was overlooked in all of this: Rick Dutrow has't had a horse breakdown in NY in 10 years. If he was really juicing his runners, like they want you to believe, wouldn't his horses be breaking down more than once every 10 years???? Witchhunt

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Steve Haskin — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:44:05 GMT

Sara I dont know of any study that affirms that winstrol hurts a horse and causes injury, pain, and breakdowns. If you've seen a study on that I'd love to see it, because if I told you the names of big-name horses over the years that have been presumed to be or definitely on Winstrol or other steroids it would no doubt shock and disturb you. And I'm talking U.S. and Europe. All I'm saying is that Dutrow using steroids unfortunately is nothing new. He's just the only one to admit it, as foolish as that was. He certainly didnt get any points for coming clean on the subject. Mostly steroids have been used to help a horse recover from an injury more quickly.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

sunfire65 — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:35:37 GMT

The real shame of Dutrow is that he has been allowed to continually get away with it. He should have been banned ten years ago.

If he had been banned sooner with a shorter time, perhaps he might have mended his ways be training properly now. If he is truly upset because of his "Love" of horses" he would have never started his actions in the first place. He loves himself and the win at ANY cost.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

FooBird — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:56:43 GMT

In times of universal deceit,telling the truth is a revolutionary act.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

Bill Two — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:37:22 GMT

Speaking of wasted talent,years ago, there was a trainer named Buddy Jacobson who was quite talented, but troubled. In fact, he mentored Bobby Frankel when that great one was coming up. Buddy was frequently the recipient of "disciplinary action" due to numerous transgressions and his life took a sinister turn when he was convicted - albeit controversally - of the murder of Melanie Cain. He subsequently died of bone cancer while in prison. The point I'm trying to make is that talent without personal accountability is a waste. In both cases it is very sad to see this happening. Dutrow's father was also a great trainer, but never lacked the necessary self discipline to succeed on a long term basis. I just hope that David Jacobson has learned from his father's mistakes and continues his rise to the top of his profession.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

deb — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:11:25 GMT

if you do the crime, quit whinning and serve the time.

you have to grow up and face what you did and live with the consequences of your actions.

Anyone is replaceable, maybe not forgettable but racing will move on.

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

sara futh — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:53:11 GMT

Well written article as always, Steve, and most thought-provoking.

To me the biggest issue is,

Did Dutrow damage his horses?

you cannot love horses and hurt them.

Certainly steroids affect the horse negatively, for the sake of a temporary advantage. What else did he use that caused injury, pain, breakdowns, sterility?

If he had not fought any suspension for so long certainly it would have been for a lesser time and perhaps he could have learned a lesson? if that as in his own genetic makeup, which seems unlikely,.

Yes, it is very sad, particularly if it does not contribute to the good effect of warning others and protecting the hiorses, as well as our endangered sport.

Thanks to all who have considered this subject and weighed in on all sides!

re: The Real Shame of Dutrow Ban

hrh1951 — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:46:36 GMT

I was an assistant trainer at Belmont when Oscar Barrera was winning races at an incredible pace. He was never caught using anything, yet there are few people who believe that he wasn't juicing. He too was an interesting character, and he probably loved his horses. This does not excuse what is done in the name of winning races. Horse racing in America is now a minor sport and it is not helped by the appearance that it is not on the level. I for one will not miss Dutrow for the next 10 years and beyond.