Jackson Rationalizes Asmussen's Behavior

[parsixfarms]

From today's New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/sp...in&oref=slogin

Jackson claims to have put Asmussen "on notice" that further bad behavior will not be tolerated, but the explanation attributed to him in the story for Asmussen's past behavior is priceless:

Asmussen also has numerous medication violations. He was suspended for six months last year by the Louisiana Racing Commission after one of his horses tested positive for the local anesthetic mepivacaine, which can deaden pain in a horse’s legs. Jackson said that Asmussen, a second-generation horseman, came of age in an industry that has not always encouraged fair play or endorsed harsh penalties.

[Cannon Shell]

"Last month, Jackson put Asmussen on notice — as well as the other trainers for his more than 60 racehorses — that he would independently drug-test his horses after each race. He warned that they would be fired if the horses tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs."

Does this mean that he will give the purse back if one of his comes up positive on the Jess supertesting schedule? If it wasnt so sad this would be laughable. Who exactly will take the samples? Under what regulations or testing methods will the samples be tested under? I'm guessing that this is lip service to a very high degree.

[sumitas]

I appreciate the intent. However, national standards and a certified lab such as Cornell are needed.

[ArlJim78]

sounds along the lines of double secret probation.

[Handicappy]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

From today's New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/sp...in&oref=slogin

Jackson claims to have put Asmussen "on notice" that further bad behavior will not be tolerated, but the explanation attributed to him in the story for Asmussen's past behavior is priceless:

Asmussen also has numerous medication violations. He was suspended for six months last year by the Louisiana Racing Commission after one of his horses tested positive for the local anesthetic mepivacaine, which can deaden pain in a horse’s legs. Jackson said that Asmussen, a second-generation horseman, came of age in an industry that has not always encouraged fair play or endorsed harsh penalties.

I think his family would be quite embarrassed with both Asmussen as well as his conduct. They were supposedly good horsemen. I was down in Lexington last week and spent some time at Keeneland. Couldn't find anyone with anything good to say about him. He may get rich and win alot but if you have no class, I'm not sure it is all worth it.

[texarkana]

From the article:

Jackson acknowledged that the continuing turmoil over drugs and fragile horses has eclipsed the accomplishments of talented horses like Curlin.

It's all about the press coverage, baby.

[Bobby Fischer]

double blind pacebos don't work with fentanyl

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

"Last month, Jackson put Asmussen on notice — as well as the other trainers for his more than 60 racehorses — that he would independently drug-test his horses after each race. He warned that they would be fired if the horses tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs."

Does this mean that he will give the purse back if one of his comes up positive on the Jess supertesting schedule? If it wasnt so sad this would be laughable. Who exactly will take the samples? Under what regulations or testing methods will the samples be tested under? I'm guessing that this is lip service to a very high degree.

Jess will hire away Dr. George A. Maylin from Cornell...

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by pgardn

Jess will hire away Dr. George A. Maylin from Cornell...

the trainers will be safe because he never catches anybody

[miraja2]

Jackson also claims that he has "been for zero tolerance since the 1950s."
If that were true, why would he have ever given a single horse to Asmussen?