NYRA bars Mullins for 6 months

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I understand that he doesnt run there which is why once again horse racing officials draw us negative attention without really accomplishing much. I really think NYRA dropped the ball here simply by banning a guy for 6 months when he has no intention of running there anyway, though there may be some legalities that we dont know about. If mullins happens on a good three year old he can march right back into the detention barn and run in the Belmont. I'm sure with the state watching over their back NYRA triple checked to make sure they were ok in doing this. But in the grand scheme, was this a positive as presented?

We all know that Mullins doesn't run much in New York, so the deterrent impact with him is minimal. However, might the penalty set the bar for what NYRA may do with other "serial cheaters" if they get caught doing something naughty at a NYRA track. If it doesn't, then I agree that this is just a "window-dressing" penalty.

With ineffective state regulators, the only way that racing is going to clean up the sport is by having tracks assert their private property rights with respect to cheating trainers, just as they are very willing to do with jockeys. The recent decision at Charles Town seems to support their ability to do so without the need for regulatory approval.