Looking at this week's USTA fines and suspensions, it is crystal clear why people have no trust in the integrity of harness racing. I know all too well how easy it is to get a positive test. Usually it's a result of either stupidity or carelessness.
By stupidity, I mean people testing the time limit they know full well they are safe. I always used to listen to the vet, then add at least 12-24 hours to his estimate of when it would clear the test barn. By carelessness, I mean allowing a vet to treat a horse with no one in the barn. It's all too easy for a vet to treat the wrong horse.
Of course some of the suspensions are simply outright cheating. The most widespread thought among horse people is that, "Everyone else is doing it so I have to as well or I have no chance to win." I never went along with that train of thought.
Race them where they belong, keep them sound, keep them from tying up or bleeding, and, keep them breathing right and they will make you the money at the end of the year. But let the customers learn people are getting 5 years or more....and you will soon have a racetrack that is as dead as this forum.
