Blenheim
10-29-2013, 12:06 AM
Breeders’ Cup Marred by Anti-Doping Demonstrations
By Horse Racing News Staff and George Welles
November 1, 2013
Anti-doping demonstrations marred the opening day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships held at Santa Anita Park. An estimated 50 demonstrators waved signs, chanted anti-doping slogans and slowed traffic at Thoroughbred racing’s most celebrated event. There was no report of injuries.
The Horseracing Anti-Doping Association demonstrated against what they believe is the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in horse racing. Spokesperson Carl Cook said, “Drug use is out of control. Trainers and their veterinarians inject over ninety-percent of horses with some type of drug prior to racing, including horses in this Breeders’ Cup, and we are damn sick and tired of it. We will demonstrate again tomorrow and we will demonstrate at all major horse racing events until the industry gets our message – get drugs out of horse racing, now.”
Cook referred to over 2000 documented abuses of painkilling drugs, over 400,000 race day injections of the performance-enhancing drug Lasix and the lack of uniform regulations and enforcement. “There have been thousands of drug abuses by trainers and vets and they’ve demonstrated a wanton disregard for the health and safety of the horse, jockey and the integrity of the sport. To make matters worse, doping regulations are inconsistent, punishment for violators is brief and the fines are a joke. We want United States Anti-Doping Agency oversight with long term penalties and substantial fines for violators,” Cook said.
Cook believes OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) could help in the fight. “Vets are injecting sore and lame horses with pain blockers. If a horse breaks down, the jockey is injured and the horse tests positive, we want an OSHA investigation to determine if administering the drug compromised the safety and health of the jockey.”
Santa Anita Park spokesman Pat Kane said the demonstrations surprised racetrack management. “We didn’t know the Breeders’ Cup was going to be ground zero for anti-doping demonstrations. We will allow civil demonstrations, but we will not tolerate actions that jeopardize the safety of the fans and the horses. Security will be increased and will be prepared for any eventuality.”
When contacted for a response, the Breeders’ Cup Medication and Safety Committee spokesperson had no comment.
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This report is fictitious. It has a dual purpose. To illicit critical thought and response in the continuing debate to get drugs and the drug industry out of horse racing and to motivate horse racing fans to take back their sport from the drug dealers and do nothing industry executives.
By Horse Racing News Staff and George Welles
November 1, 2013
Anti-doping demonstrations marred the opening day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships held at Santa Anita Park. An estimated 50 demonstrators waved signs, chanted anti-doping slogans and slowed traffic at Thoroughbred racing’s most celebrated event. There was no report of injuries.
The Horseracing Anti-Doping Association demonstrated against what they believe is the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in horse racing. Spokesperson Carl Cook said, “Drug use is out of control. Trainers and their veterinarians inject over ninety-percent of horses with some type of drug prior to racing, including horses in this Breeders’ Cup, and we are damn sick and tired of it. We will demonstrate again tomorrow and we will demonstrate at all major horse racing events until the industry gets our message – get drugs out of horse racing, now.”
Cook referred to over 2000 documented abuses of painkilling drugs, over 400,000 race day injections of the performance-enhancing drug Lasix and the lack of uniform regulations and enforcement. “There have been thousands of drug abuses by trainers and vets and they’ve demonstrated a wanton disregard for the health and safety of the horse, jockey and the integrity of the sport. To make matters worse, doping regulations are inconsistent, punishment for violators is brief and the fines are a joke. We want United States Anti-Doping Agency oversight with long term penalties and substantial fines for violators,” Cook said.
Cook believes OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) could help in the fight. “Vets are injecting sore and lame horses with pain blockers. If a horse breaks down, the jockey is injured and the horse tests positive, we want an OSHA investigation to determine if administering the drug compromised the safety and health of the jockey.”
Santa Anita Park spokesman Pat Kane said the demonstrations surprised racetrack management. “We didn’t know the Breeders’ Cup was going to be ground zero for anti-doping demonstrations. We will allow civil demonstrations, but we will not tolerate actions that jeopardize the safety of the fans and the horses. Security will be increased and will be prepared for any eventuality.”
When contacted for a response, the Breeders’ Cup Medication and Safety Committee spokesperson had no comment.
~
This report is fictitious. It has a dual purpose. To illicit critical thought and response in the continuing debate to get drugs and the drug industry out of horse racing and to motivate horse racing fans to take back their sport from the drug dealers and do nothing industry executives.