The President Of PeaceTrump! Trump! Trump!
None of the trainers I know are against universal rules. I think individual jurisdictions are the ones who don't want to give that authority to anybody else. Each juris. wants to be God of their own universe.
Does he get a pass here ? Is he one of the ones that is being defended in this thread ?
It's imperative that you don't misunderstand and misinterpret what is being presented here! Nobody condones the cheaters! Rather, what is being objected to is the witch-hunt and headlines for otherwise incidental infractions. If these were Class I, II or III rulings there were NOT be any dispute, however these are Class IV penalties that have been over-penalized and sensationalized as something more dramatic.
Most blogs I belong to have been far more harsh in their judgement than folks around here.One comment that is common is that the offenders didn't say "I didn't do it" they said "The penalty is too severe". This is taken as an admission of guilt. Maybe the penalties are severe, but you play with fire, you might get burnt.
My follow up would be why is it always the same horsemen getting nailed...Don't See the Schnikters and Dohertys on any lists ?
A universal set of rules would make a trainer's life SO much easier.
If Afrin is not beneficial, then why were the numbers( based on my calculations) 21 winners out of the batch of gentlemen suspended for varying degrees of time ??
The infractions were not for Afrin, however many have assumed that, based upon the Oxymetazoline being a by-product of Afrin-use (i. e., contamination.)Schenectady, NY --- The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has issued fines and suspensions to 16 individuals who were found to be responsible for Oxymetazoline violations at Yonkers Raceway, Monticello Raceway and Saratoga Casino and Raceway. end of quoteAcross-the-counter Afrin manufactured within the US, does not contain Oxymethazoline.Perhaps if somebody was dense enough to purchase Afrin from a dollar store (of which many frequently distribute medicinals that were not manufactured within the US (i. e., non-FDA approved)), could they possibly obtain a bottle that contained Oxymethazoline.Within the US, Oxymethazoline requires a prescription (unless of course it was purchased illegally). That Oxymethazoline requires a prescription within the US is the reason that these offenses were Class IV rulings (not lesser rulings).If they were legitimately vet-prescribed, than all these horsemen had to do at the hearing is present their vet records, and less-severe penalty would likely have been imposed.Many jurisdictions now require very accurate vet-records. Despite the boundary-crossing of the Oxymethazoline-issue, these rulings were still Class IV, and otherwise minor-infractions. Hardly enough to hang people by the thumbs.