Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Plodderman — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:18:34 GMT

Hey SimplyNotSureRU,

So, what you are saying is that they have been cheating since Holy Bull lost the Derby and YOU still wager? Wow.... that's just plain crazy.

For the record. Holy Bull couldn't go 1 1/4m. At least now, you can lose and feel good about it.

As for Life At Ten... I will believe she was reacting to the meds, like the trainer said.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Mike Relva — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:35:27 GMT

JERSEYBOY

So the health of the horse doesn't matter? You are way off!

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

AngelaFromAbilene — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:07:18 GMT

"But how does the Life At Ten episode reflect on the effectiveness of this program?"

Very poorly. Everyone involved knew LAT was off yet no one did a damn thng about it! Her trainer knew in the paddock she wasn't right yet he went ahead and saddled her. Her jockey knew when he was legged up she wasn't right yet he went ahead and allowed her to be loaded. The stewards were notified she was off yet they allowed her to start. At anytime prior to the gates opening, LAT could have been scratched.

For them to now say the Test Barn was full is laughable. I've been in Test Barns all across the country and yeah, it can get a little tight. You may have to wait a few minutes for a stall and the whistler but it can be done. And it very well should have. Every track I have ever run at tests horses that either fail to run as expected or runs far better than expected.

This whole ordeal shows the NTRA’s Safety and Integrity Alliance is a feel good joke!

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

sceptre — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 22:06:12 GMT

JerseyBoy-

This is not a legal forum, and when I offered that Velazquez had not valid defence (for his actions/inaction) it was in reference to no valid moral defence. But, if you're looking for some potential "legal" (both "public", and/or "rules of Racing") charges, I might offer a few. Re- the "public" (ex. State Laws) charge- how about animal cruelty/endangering the life of an animal. As to general rules of racing-He was required to notify the vets (on scene) of his concerns and failed to do so. Now I'll await your futile attempt to nit pic or, perhaps, offer another poorly fashioned/illogical analogy. Don't waste the time.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

JerseyBoy — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:59:16 GMT

Sceptre:

You wrote:

"it appears certain that Velasquez (sic) has no valid defence"

What is the charge against him?.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

JerseyBoy — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 03:23:42 GMT

sceptre:

You have avoided the issue. What I found outrageous in first your post is that you seem to have made yourself the judge and jury of Velasquez's conduct and you were able to reach a conclusion ahead of the investigators . Did you speak with Velasquez?

I support his conduct because he had the necessary experience to act in the circumstances. He made a mistake. I am not a second-guesser.

I never suggested that attempts should not be made to solve the problems you listed. In fact, attempts should be made to solve all problems if such solutions would be cost-effective.

By the way, my feelings are strengthened by your response. It is particularly nice to know that those who disagree with you are "misguided".

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Everything Zen — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 01:29:36 GMT

NTRA's Safety Alliance is just a Public Relations ploy to satisfy the public. It is meaningless. They came up with it after Eight Belles tragic breakdown to make the public believe they were working to make changes to make the sport safer - BLAH BLAH BLAH. Sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher to me. Rick Dutrow just got suspended AGAIN. How many times is that now? Another slap on the hand for Ricky. Horses are still running who have no business running. Thousands of horses are still being sent to slaughter. Jockeys are still getting hurt badly. Sorry but I don't see meaningful changes.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

sceptre — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 15:54:51 GMT

JerseyBoy,

Your overall message and, in particular, absurd analogy affords no support to the equally misguided Equitation.net. Should the fact that more people perish in traffic accidents than from certain diseases, murder, what have you, embolden us to look the other way and not attempt to remedy them?

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Convene — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:09:05 GMT

I find myself wondering why, if the testing barn was too crowded, a veterinarian and an official could not have followed Life at Ten back to her stall or some other relatively quiet area and done a blood test? Drawing blood not a complex process! At least then there would be a clear chain of secure evidence and a chance to confirm or eliminate the various reasons for her poor performance.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

JerseyBoy — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:26:50 GMT

Equination.net:

You are right on.

I would add that the jockey and trainer would be total fools running a horse if they felt it would endanger the lives of others, including the life of the jockey. I have absolute faith in their judgement and give them my total support.

Velazquez has ridden horses for several years. He never hid the fact that he was unhappy with the way the horse was warming up. In fact, he revealed it, but since the horse was not lame, what was he supposed to do?. I support him fully. If any action is taken against Velazquez I will just give up racing.

I had a bet on the horse. I cancelled it after the TV interview, then sat on the edge of my seat hoping the horse did not win anyway. That's racing.

This episode was a mistake. We should end the witch hunt right now and move on. Those who are upset must have never watched the Grand National Steeplechase.

Horse racing is not a sport for the squeamish. And we should all remember that more people will die in traffic accidents this month

than horses dying during races. Now that is something worth investigating. Shall be punish the drivers for driving?

Long live King John!

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Greg Baird — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:01:12 GMT

Seems almost criminal to me that as poorly as she performed after it was apparent she was "lifeless" and the jockey telling that to the TV audience, that John Veitch and/or all of the stewards should be disciplined by the Kentucky Racing Commission for not taking blood and urine samples following the race.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

TripleCrownKaren — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:04:35 GMT

The fact that trainer Todd Pletcher KNEW his horse didn't "look right" should have caused him to pull her right then & there. If not, then when the Jockey only confirmed this by saying she didn't FEEL right this mare should have been PULLED! PERIOD! And at that point the vest should have ogtten involved and done THEIR job. Let's just suppose this mare went DOWN and caused major damage to herself and others in this race! The trainer is WHOLLY at fault here as far as I am concerned. I have trained & ridden ALL my life and when you "KNOW" your horse, you KNOW when they are "not right" and something needs to be seen to right then! Better to risk being called TOO cautious than to risk another catastrophic breakdown. This sport has more than enough BLACK MARKS recently and the fact that the "powers that be" still waffle and NO ONE seems to want to step up and be RESPONSIBLE for the health and well being of these horses who are making them all SO MUCH MONEY, is just unconsionable! The sport will keep losing fan base and "paying customers" as long as this continues. Pretty soon the "glory days" of racing will be just a distant memory. I have been involved in TB's my whole life and watched my first race as a 4 yr old (It was the KY Derby) but it has come to a point where I no longer even want to GO to the track anymore. The trainers think it is all about them, the owners think it is all about them.....sorry folks.....but it's SUPPOSED TO BE ALL ABOUT THE HORSES!

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

tvnewsbadge — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:02:10 GMT

It's no mystery what happened. This was a high profile even tan and they weren't ABOUT to pull this horse come hell or high water.

It went badly, they got caught,and now they're frankly trying to find some poor disposable sap to pin it on.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

tvnewsbadge — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:58:10 GMT

Get it right says

"What needs to come of this before anything else is the cessation of on-air interviews with persons who should be acting responsibly in a sporting event."

And that's what WILL come of this. Having it out there on the public record makes it too damn hard to sweep it under the rug, which is exactly what would have happened without Mr. Bailey and most likely will happen anyway.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Mike Relva — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:49:05 GMT

EQUINATION.NET

You couldn't be more wrong!

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

easygoer1322 — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:01:49 GMT

Ban all drugs including the ones currently legal.

Suspend and fine all violators.

Repeat violators need to be banned from the sport.

I just read that Rick Dutrow has been fined 90 days for using painkillers and for hypodermic needles being found in his barn.

How many violations does it take?

The sport lacks integrity and does very little to try to get it back.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Zenyatta John — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:39:27 GMT

It is a complete travesty. Both Johnny V. and Toad Pletcher should be suspended for 6 months or more. The jockey clearly knew there was a problem with Life at Ten as he told us on live TV.

Even Toad Pletcher knew she wasn't right in the paddock. Both men have obligations to tell the vet or state official that there is a problem.

The both should be arrested for "Interfering with the outcome of a sporting event." How about fraud? Where is the FBI? Millions of dollars were stolen from the general public because he basically galloped the mare around the track.

Put them in jail next to Greg Martin.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Brian Appleton — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:51:18 GMT

@ NancyP - Life At Ten had her first work of the year on Sunday, just an easy 3 furlong work in 38.50. As far as I know there is no target right now but she is doing well.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Ethel — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 15:53:21 GMT

Maybe Pletcher has to much on his plate yes everyone wants the best trainer to be sure but how much can one handle is that the question?

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:51:00 GMT

It's not the horses that are doing wrong-it's their people! It is a shame that it like this and that people for whatever the reason, make the horses, the honest ones, suffer.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Rachel — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:25:57 GMT

Equination.net: Go to Youtube and find the pre-race commentator & warm up video...you can watch LAT actually stumbling and her stiff-legged walking...many, many people saw it, I mean that's what Jerry Bailey saw & why he said something to begin with, I saw it, too.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Get it right — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 06:05:22 GMT

This summation is way off the mark!!!

The sole issue in need of review by authorities is one Jerry Bailey, under the employ of ESPN television, having told a national TV viewing audience that he "just got the 'word' from John Velazquez" shortly before said jockey appeared to 'stiff' his mount in the B.C. Ladies' Classic.

What needs to come of this before anything else is the cessation of on-air interviews with persons who should be acting responsibly in a sporting event.

Any health-related issues relating to Life at Ten were similar to those which take place on just about every race card in America. You just don't get/have to know which animals are so afflicted.

We already know that the stewards had a first chance at making a move relating to Life at Ten and that they opted not to do so. That's fine - it was a judgment call and somebody made a call.

What is not appropriate is for on-air announcers to have tampered or appeared to tamper with the integrity of a sporting event.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Barbara W — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 04:31:31 GMT

I'm just an outsider and not fortunate enough to be able to afford to own racehorses, but if I did, I would put them in the hands of a trainer who does not have so many already.

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

Mike Relva — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 04:02:45 GMT

EQUINATION.NET

Yeah,it's only a horse,right? Why don't you show some respect for a horse that was loaded into the gate when she SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THERE! You are absurd!

re: Integrity We Can Believe In By Eric Mitchell

NancyP — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 03:41:28 GMT

Hi Eric,

Thank you for the thoughtful article. I don't care about my unfulfilled bet on Life At Ten, but I do care about whatever caused her not to be herself at the BC. Even more importantly, I would like to have an update as to her physical condition now. Has she recovered from whatever was ailing her? Will she continue racing, or is her career over? She is a wonderful athlete who was not served well by her trainer and jockey. Numerous times prior to the start of the race, interviewers speaking with Pletcher and Gomez were told she was not quite right. In reality, the call to scratch her SHOULD have come from Pletcher and Gomez. They both shirked their responsibility to her! Shame on them!

Eric, please do you have any current information on Life At Ten now?

Thanks,

NancyP