Rebels and Reformers - By Eric Mitchell

re: Rebels and Reformers - By Eric Mitchell

EJMitchellKy — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 20:20:35 GMT

Hankkon,

Your opinion is always welcome here. Regarding drug use in Europe, the hay, oats, and water ideal presented as European race has certainly taken a beating this year. Steroid positives in Britain and now John Hughes, brother of well-known racehorse trainer Pat Hughes, pleading guilty last week to five counts of possessing banned drugs--including six kilograms of the anabolic steroid nitrotain. The Irish Turf Club said there is no other evidence of widespread steroid use but six kilograms is a lot of steroid. It was going somewhere and probably not into cattle.

re: Rebels and Reformers - By Eric Mitchell

hankkon — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 15:53:23 GMT

I have been on this Planet long enough to realize that my opinion is of no consequence, but there are times when I engage in the futility of expressing it anyway. To be honest what really prompted my words was not your article Mr. Mitchell but the featured letter submitted by Flora Reekskin in the Comments section of the Oct 12th issue of Blood-Horse. Her words display both the naiveté and negativity I refer to. she is also one of those who overstate their case to make a point. That letter is not an example of "open discussion" but merely pure negativity. Her vision of foreign racing as being drug free is laughable in my opinion. She is of course entitled to that opinion but it is of no value in placing it in such a prominent position in a national publication.

The discussion regarding medication of course must and will continue but it is best left in the hands of those who posses both the information and expertise to take the proper action for the good of the game.

re: Rebels and Reformers - By Eric Mitchell

EJMitchellKy — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 12:21:01 GMT

Well, we are both in agreement that human nature is what it is and in competition there will always be people looking for an edge. Thoroughbred racing, in that regard, is no different than the Olympics.

That being said, it doesn't mean you stop pursuing efforts to protect the integrity of the game. In racing's case, for the health of the horses (many being raced on medication cocktails) and for the bettors, who can easily abandon racing and go play poker.

Is this negative? I have had people tell me if everyone in racing would simply stop talking about medication, all our public relations problems would go away. On the other hand, many people welcome the open discussion of uniform medication policy and the implementation of tougher penalties as finally addressing a long-buried problem. I believe these efforts at uniformity and transparency are progress.

re: Rebels and Reformers - By Eric Mitchell

hankkon — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 21:38:47 GMT

Mr. Mitchell, I am certainly not opposed to those efforts and yes I am saying that there will always be those who attempt to circumvent the rules no matter how strong the penalties or strict the enforcement. The real problem is that in any argument/discussion where people have strong opinions they will almost always overstate their case. I am confident that this great game will overcome these issues and continue to move forward despite all the negativity.

re: Rebels and Reformers - By Eric Mitchell

EJMitchellKy — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 20:30:38 GMT

Hankkon, are you against efforts to create uniform rules and stronger penalties for drug violations? Or, are you saying there will still be cheaters even if these are in place.

re: Rebels and Reformers - By Eric Mitchell

hankkon — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:53:40 GMT

I see that once more the negative is being emphasized. Federal oversight is rarely the answer for any problem. To believe that uniform rules regarding medication or stronger penalties will correct the problem is the height of naiveté. Drugs are an issue in any sport even those that have a single governing body

re: Rebels and Reformers - By Eric Mitchell

pabred — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:40:42 GMT

JOHN from Baltimore, has no idea the whole difference between a thoroughbred and a standardbred. So until you understand that, go and get educated before you speak. Start with cold blooded and warm blooded horses. They function totally differently. If you cooled out a thoroughbred like you do a standardbred, the t bred would tie up. Do we really need the federal government watching this. They can not even agree on the simple things in life. No jurisdiction is perfect, but the current rules and regs do just fine. If you do not agree. Find a trainer, and spend some time on the backside in the mornings. Follow a vet around. Then make an educated decision. Remember, the press makes everything 100xs worse than it is. Bad news sells. Look at the National statistics and see, very few people show positive.

re: Rebels and Reformers - By Eric Mitchell

John from Baltimore — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 00:25:49 GMT

The Kentucky Racing Commission is insulting betters who wage thier hard eaned money on Kentucky races by giving Gorder a 20 day susspension and a $500 fine. Why don't they reimbure the betters who lost thier money on this fixed race, either intentionally or unintentionally. If Gorder was sued by the betters who lost and he had to reimbuse the whole betting pool. Bet he would never have another positive.

re: Rebels and Reformers - By Eric Mitchell

supahblitz — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 16:01:19 GMT

I'm a fan of both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing, so I am saddened by the split. I naively thought that Standardbreds did not have the drug issues that race horses do because they were trotting not running. I'd like to see drugs taken away from all racing, and if the two industries can't regulate themselves, then Federal oversight is better than what we have now.

re: Rebels and Reformers

John from Baltimore — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 22:05:50 GMT

If the horses are so unsound or the trainers so incompetent that they need all these drugs, maybe racing should just get rid of them all and let a regulatory veterinarian give each horse a shot of cocaine before each race. I think that fits with the racing mentality.

Congress and the animal rights groups could just say that horses aren't fit to race anymore without drugs and just end horse racing.

Racing could get its act together and elimate all drugs and deliver a product the public wants to buy instead relying on slot money.