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Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind
While I agree with you about the money, I think your first line is EXACTLY why the penalty should be severe. If breaking the rules in the manner Dutrow did is " not uncommon ", as you suggest, it feels like a message needs to be sent. They have shown that they can catch someone for having illegal contact and now they must show how they deal with it. In this case I don't believe they dealt with it harshly enough.....even with the relatively substantial fine. Frankly, for a trainer who's earnings have been as substantial as Mr. Dutrow's have been over the last several years that is an inconsequential amount of money. Only someone, in that situation, who squandered their money would be hurt by such a paltry sum.
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Fair enough. But I do think that a fine of $25,000 plus the change in California (up to $50,000) compared to the laughably paltry sums Pletcher and Assmussen got very recently is meaningful, at least directionally within a fairly short time frame.
Judging by Dutrow's 'they did what they had to do' shrugging comments, I'd assume this was a negotiated deal, not to be followed by any appeal.
In any event, I'm glad to see increased fines becoming more a part of the process. And if $25k isn't enough to hurt, move the fines up.