CHRB approves new steroid policy

[Bobby Fischer]

Some very good replies from Cannon Shell and Riot. I don't want to go into a continued debate, or a list of personal experiences because I don't think it is constructive. This is certainly an interesting issue.

[AeWingnut]

as for greyhounds

I have noticed that the lighter female greyhounds beat the boys with regularity. Maybe the boys see no advantage to being in front of the girls

[Riot]

Originally Posted by AeWingnut

as for greyhounds

I have noticed that the lighter female greyhounds beat the boys with regularity. Maybe the boys see no advantage to being in front of the girls

Good observation. On those tight greyhound tracks, they are generally more agile, lower center of gravity, can hold their speed around turns more readily, and have quicker acceleration out of the box. They break less frequently, too.

Racing greyhounds are the orthopaedic equivalent of 18-wheelers on Toyota tires.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fischer

Some very good replies from Cannon Shell and Riot. I don't want to go into a continued debate, or a list of personal experiences because I don't think it is constructive. This is certainly an interesting issue.

If there was ever a need for national consensus and oversight, I would think it's regarding drug use. That sectors of the racing community are going proactive and public is always a good thing.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Riot

If there was ever a need for national consensus and oversight, I would think it's regarding drug use. That sectors of the racing community are going proactive and public is always a good thing.

Not exactly. Some things are too complicated and unnecessary to be fought in the publics view. It is the sausage theory. They taste good but if you knew what they were made of you wouldn't touch them. And this move is not proactive, it is reactive. Big difference.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Not exactly. Some things are too complicated and unnecessary to be fought in the publics view. It is the sausage theory. They taste good but if you knew what they were made of you wouldn't touch them. And this move is not proactive, it is reactive. Big difference.

I am against sausage.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Riot

I am against sausage.

There are so many ways this could go...

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

And this move is not proactive, it is reactive. Big difference.

They have taken a position that is indefensible in court, and doesn't stand up to scientific scrutiny, so I hope their legal budget is hefty. Blood samples are more accurate than urine tests, yet they have chosen not to do that?

Even Dr. Rick Arthur admits that withdrawal times for steroids haven't been established, and says, "two months would be a conservative estimate."

Then they make the official withdrawal time only 30 days? And recommend to trainers off the cuff, "but you'd better wait 4 months to be safe"?

I suppose they are trying to eliminate steroids entirely by this action. Including valid therapeutic uses. Because a trainer that has Equipoise given to a skinny, underweight filly on January 1 (once upon the recommendation of, and documented by a veterinarian) may have a positive to the drug March 15 when she races the first time.

And the trainer gets time, a fine, and the rep as a "steroid abusing cheater". Nice.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Riot

They have taken a position that is indefensible in court, and doesn't stand up to scientific scrutiny, so I hope their legal budget is hefty. Blood samples are more accurate than urine tests, yet they have chosen not to do that?

Even Dr. Rick Arthur admits that withdrawal times for steroids haven't been established, and says, "two months would be a conservative estimate."

Then they make the official withdrawal time only 30 days? And recommend to trainers off the cuff, "but you'd better wait 4 months to be safe"?

I suppose they are trying to eliminate steroids entirely by this action. Including valid therapeutic uses. Because a trainer that has Equipoise given to a skinny, underweight filly on January 1 (once upon the recommendation of, and documented by a veterinarian) may have a positive to the drug March 15 when she races the first time.

And the trainer gets time, a fine, and the rep as a "steroid abusing cheater". Nice.

Exactly