Gary Stevens Breaks Collarbone and Pletcher Fined $200

Round Pen · #1 08-16-2010, 12:10 PM

How did All you guys that are actually at Saratoga Miss this. I read this in the NY Post this AM.

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Retired Hall-of-Fame jockey Gary Stevens, who was planning to un-retire for a few minutes next Friday to ride in the "Young Guns vs. Cagey Veterans" race at Arlington Park, suffered an apparent broken collarbone in a freak accident yesterday morning on the main track here. Stevens was working WinStar Farm's Thatcatismine, a 2-year-old by Horse of the Year Mineshaft out of multiple stakes winner Catinca, when the colt collapsed and died, right in front of the breakfast crowd on the clubhouse porch. An autopsy is pending.

Thatcatismine's trainer, Todd Pletcher, was fined $200 "for employing an unlicensed employee." (Stevens is now a TV commentator and actor.)

randallscott35 · #2 08-16-2010, 12:14 PM

200? How do they come up with these numbers?

The Indomitable DrugS · #3 08-16-2010, 12:43 PM

That was the horse who they bet to favortisim. He pitched Velazquez at the start when he jumped up and absolutely smashed the top of his skull on the top of the starting gate.

I'm surprised they actually had that horse on the track and working out less than a week after he cracked his skull. I suppose the cut must not have been much and somehow he didn't have a concussion.

#4 08-16-2010, 12:45 PM

Why can't Todd be named Doug as well? It would be great! A Drug Pletcher thread! ROTFLMMFAO!!!!!!

Sightseek · #5 08-16-2010, 12:46 PM

My speeding ticket was almost as much as Pletcher's fine.

randallscott35 · #6 08-16-2010, 12:46 PM

Hope people enjoyed their eggs at the track.

The Indomitable DrugS · #7 08-16-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Why can't Todd be named Doug as well? It would be great! A Drug Pletcher thread! ROTFLMMFAO!!!!!!

Please, we all know Pletcher is hay, oats, and water.

The Indomitable DrugS · #8 08-16-2010, 01:07 PM

I'm not sure if you can or should compare a human athlete with an equine one.

But take Jahvid Best - the best running back in the Pac 10 last year. He gets a concussion and they don't even let him practice .. let alone play or even suit up for a single game for the final 8 weeks of the season.

As hard as this horse (he's the 1A) hit the top of his head on the gate less than a week prior to his workout - I'm pretty surprised he didn't get a concussion.

the_fat_man · #9 08-16-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Please, we all know Pletcher is hay, oats, and water.

ha ha ha haha

Oh ****. I just got back from some pain in the ass work and I really needed the laugh. Thanks.

Cannon Shell · #10 08-16-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randallscott35

200? How do they come up with these numbers?

How much should he have been fined? It is hardly a big offense especially considering the person in question has probably held hundreds of licenses in the past.

randallscott35 · #11 08-16-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

How much should he have been fined? It is hardly a big offense especially considering the person in question has probably held hundreds of licenses in the past.

A grand min.

Sightseek · #12 08-16-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

How much should he have been fined? It is hardly a big offense especially considering the person in question has probably held hundreds of licenses in the past.

I'm going to use this excuse!

But Officer, I've gone 65 mph hundereds of times in the past.

<--- green puppy dog eyes

CSC · #13 08-16-2010, 01:17 PM

Double that to $400 for also employing Angel Cordero.

The Indomitable DrugS · #14 08-16-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I'm going to use this excuse!

But Officer, I've gone 65 mph hundereds of times in the past.

<--- green puppy dog eyes

That's why they fined him!

Had it been Scav on the horse instead of a hall of fame jockey, the fine would probably be much higher and you would have no need at all for an autopsy.

Cannon Shell · #15 08-16-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randallscott35

A grand min.

LOL

You do realize that Pletcher doesn't actually employ Stevens right?

Cannon Shell · #16 08-16-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I'm going to use this excuse!

But Officer, I've gone 65 mph hundereds of times in the past.

<--- green puppy dog eyes

Uh you broke the law. Pletcher was just trying to help a friend get fit to ride in a stupid race.

Cannon Shell · #17 08-16-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

That's why they fined him!

Had it been Scav on the horse instead of a hall of fame jockey, the fine would probably be much higher and you would have no need at all for an autopsy.

Pretty good walk from Pletchers barn to main track. Had it been Scavs I don't think the horse would have made it that far.

randallscott35 · #18 08-16-2010, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

LOL

You do realize that Pletcher doesn't actually employ Stevens right?

So? Rules are rules.

Sightseek · #19 08-16-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Uh you broke the law. Pletcher was just trying to help a friend get fit to ride in a stupid race.

Uh Pletcher broke a rule.

Cannon Shell · #20 08-16-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randallscott35

So? Rules are rules.

The rule is there to prevent people who arent qualified to get a license to work. It is a state rule and as such has to have a reasonable fine. For a clerical matter $200 is actually a big fine. People who smoke in the shedrow get $100 and that is a whole lot worse than Gary Stevens not getting an exercise license to work a horse.