Report: Dutrow Facing Drug Positive

[Echo Farm]

More good publicity for racing.

A horse trained by Rick Dutrow tested positive for twice the allowable level of the bronchodilator clenbuterol, which helps burn fat and promote muscle growth, the New York Times reported June 25.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority will issue the ruling June 25, suspend Dutrow for 15 days, and demand the horse’s owner to return the $20,000 in purse earnings, racing officials told the newspaper.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/article/45863.htm

The strange thing (I hadn't noticed it before) is that the Bloodhorse
is getting information from the NY Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/25/sp...ts&oref=slogin

[philcski]

Gets a positive in Kentucky.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/25/sp...ts&oref=slogin

"Reached by phone Tuesday, Dutrow acknowledged that his horse, Salute the Count, tested positive after a second-place finish in the Grade III Aegon Turf Sprint and took responsibility."

"Veitch said the level of clenbuterol found in Salute the Count was the highest he had seen in four years as chief steward. He said the testing lab at Iowa State University said Salute the Count had 41 petragrams of the medication in his system, more than twice the level of 20 allowed in Kentucky."

"Salute the Count has won 11 times in 41 starts, but his biggest successes came two years ago when Dutrow began training him. He went from winning a $20,000 claimer to three stakes victories."

Biggest shocker of the whole story there

[Scav]

I would think the amount is more telling then the actually positive...twice over the limit. That is kinda like driving when you have drank 15 beers. 5-6 beers and you are questionable at the level, but 15, you know you are giong to get busted if caught.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by Scav

I would think the amount is more telling then the actually positive...twice over the limit. That is kinda like driving when you have drank 15 beers. 5-6 beers and you are questionable at the level, but 15, you know you are giong to get busted if caught.

hes the {24} of the juiceing world..and he dont care ,hes got cash now

[ALostTexan]

Just read about this. Seriously, can racing just get a break this year?

[The Bid]

It doesnt deserve a break. Its a disgrace

[parsixfarms]

Here's the problematic statement from John Veitch:

Veitch said the 15-day suspension and return of the purse money was the penalty for a first offense, according to Kentucky rules.

Only in racing is he viewed as a first time offender. Yet another meaningless slap on the wrist.

[Scav]

thinking out loud, but why couldn't the fine/penalty increase for the amount of overage. I mean listen, a couple pentagrams or whatever they measured in over and I think it is understandable, when it is an ALLOWABLE medication, but when you are twice the legal limit, you are playing games.

Could this work, like if you are 50% over the allowable limit, hit them with a 50k fine and if they are 100% over, hit them with 100k

Just throwing an option against the wall so I don't want to hear how moronic I am.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Scav

thinking out loud, but why couldn't the fine/penalty increase for the amount of overage. I mean listen, a couple pentagrams or whatever they measured in over and I think it is understandable, when it is an ALLOWABLE medication, but when you are twice the legal limit, you are playing games.

Could this work, like if you are 50% over the allowable limit, hit them with a 50k fine and if they are 100% over, hit them with 100k

Just throwing an option against the wall so I don't want to hear how moronic I am.

You are being completely moronic to suggest that racing might do something that makes sense.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Scav

thinking out loud, but why couldn't the fine/penalty increase for the amount of overage. I mean listen, a couple pentagrams or whatever they measured in over and I think it is understandable, when it is an ALLOWABLE medication, but when you are twice the legal limit, you are playing games.

Could this work, like if you are 50% over the allowable limit, hit them with a 50k fine and if they are 100% over, hit them with 100k

Just throwing an option against the wall so I don't want to hear how moronic I am.

It's probably because of maximum penalties that are already prescribed by law/regulation. In NY, for example, a recent law was passed by the legislature to up the maximum penalties for certain offenses from $5,000 per incident to $20,000 per incident.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Scav

thinking out loud, but why couldn't the fine/penalty increase for the amount of overage. I mean listen, a couple pentagrams or whatever they measured in over and I think it is understandable, when it is an ALLOWABLE medication, but when you are twice the legal limit, you are playing games.

Could this work, like if you are 50% over the allowable limit, hit them with a 50k fine and if they are 100% over, hit them with 100k

Just throwing an option against the wall so I don't want to hear how moronic I am.

A 50k fine? A 100k fine? Are you serious?

[ELA]

Originally Posted by Scav

thinking out loud, but why couldn't the fine/penalty increase for the amount of overage. I mean listen, a couple pentagrams or whatever they measured in over and I think it is understandable, when it is an ALLOWABLE medication, but when you are twice the legal limit, you are playing games.

Could this work, like if you are 50% over the allowable limit, hit them with a 50k fine and if they are 100% over, hit them with 100k

Just throwing an option against the wall so I don't want to hear how moronic I am.

How is the intentional, sabotage, contamination aspect going to be dealt with? 24 hour security? Cost? The end is desireable, I agree with you -- but the means are just not feasible.

OTOH, if this horse came back at some massive level, the highest ever seen -- what exactly are we talking about here? 100% intentional in order to cash a ticket, knowing the horse would come up positive, giving up the purse and knowing you'll only get a "first offense" hit because you've never had a problem in KY?

Eric

Is it any wonder Congress has to step in to this ? A ship without a rudder.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by kagbr

Is it any wonder Congress has to step in to this ? A ship without a rudder.

Yeah, because there is nothing else wrong in the country!

[ELA]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Here's the problematic statement from John Veitch:

Veitch said the 15-day suspension and return of the purse money was the penalty for a first offense, according to Kentucky rules.

Only in racing is he viewed as a first time offender. Yet another meaningless slap on the wrist.

Yes, this is very much a problem.

Eric