Lael Stables and Matz part ways
 

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Matz reportedly "blindsided" by the Jackson's decision. Was he one of the blowhards that was championing the banning of Lasix?

Amazing what can happen when you take food out of your owner's mouths

I don't understand why the B-H is reportingly this now as "suddenly" when the horses were removed from Matz so long ago. This "news" has been all over the internet for more than a month and the B-H writes it as though they have some kind of a scoop.

I don't really follow stuff like this so it was news to me - I just thought that I remembered that he had volunteered or had accepted a position on the Jockey's Club task force or whatever it was that started trumpeting the exclusion of race day meds including Lasix.

I found it odd that a trainer would hold such a strong opinion against Lasix when a ban of its use would eliminate a huge portion of the racing stock that he relies on to keep his racing operation running - and can certainly see why owners that would potentially be stuck with race horses that will never race as a result, might not be particularly thrilled with his enthusiasm.

It was news in the sense that Matz hadn't commented on it, but reading PPs, it was obvious that there had been changes.

As for the Lasix stuff, I seem to recall the Jacksons being on the list of people in support of the changing policies.

I guess winning the Derby wasn't enough.

Pretty sure the Jacksons have a history of firing trainers. . . they're full-on whack jobs.

:zz: You thinking of the same Jacksons as in the article?

Matz competed for years at the very top international-Olympic levels under drug restrictions far more stringent and variant via jurisdiction than of what he's competing under via TB horse racing today. He knows about drugs. He's an extraordinarily capable and knowledgable horseman, and I'd respect his opinion (whatever it is) as coming from a very knowledgable and experienced place.

I'd guarantee that Matz puts the horses before any owners. There's a reason he didn't stay in international show jumping. Doubtful drugs had anything to do with it, the Lael people supported less drugs in racing.

I figured something was up when Margano went to Barclay Tagg.