Was I duped? --
Yes. Absolutely.
I was duped by industry apologists who only mention the good things in the racing press. And who never mention the bad.
I was duped by track management who knew full well what was going on but looked the other way because they were afraid a trainer might take his horses elsewhere.
I was duped by track management who knew full well what was going on but who sat quiet as a mouse when asked by judge(s) in courtroom(s) if they would like to present any evidence.
If not duped, I am continually annoyed by TV analysts who extol the virtues of trainers by giving emphasis to phrases like "38 percent for the meet" and "45 percent first off the claim" while talking about the previous race winner as the horses for the next race are arriving in the paddock. Like those kind of stats are supposed to be a good thing. Hint, they are not.
If not duped, I am continually annoyed by race callers who extol the virtues of trainers by shouting phrases like "ANOTHER ONE EXPERTLY PREPARED OFF THE LAYOFF" or "THAT'S FOUR ON THE DAY FOR <INSERT NAME OF TRAINER HERE>" during stretch runs. Hint, it's ok to call races that way for riders. If they get four on the day they've earned it. Otherwise, until you stop and think about HOW a certain trainer might get so many of his horses to move up off of extended layoffs - just call the race.
I was duped by state regulatory bodies whose personnel looked the other way and swept things under the rug.
I was duped by state regulatory bodies whose rulings (when they had no other choice but to make one) seldom amounted to anything more than a slap on the wrist.
I was duped by state regulatory bodies whose rulings allow suspended trainers to call the shots from his cell phone while his horses race under the name of his top assistant.
I was duped by state regulatory bodies who give trainers a slap on the wrist but refuse to go after owners.
I was duped by state regulatory bodies who instead of implementing reciprocity welcome trainers suspended by other racing jurisdictions with open arms.
I was duped by state regulatory bodies who every once in a blue moon go full metal jacket on someone they don't like but somehow look the other way for those in their inner circle.
I was duped by politicians who should have known full well what was going on - but who looked the other way because they get to rub elbows with rich owners.
In retrospect, all of us have been duped - and in a variety of subtle ways that collectively helped create an environment that made it relatively easy for those who had figured out how to cheat on a small scale to ramp things up and cheat on a large scale.
So yes I've been duped.
But no. I wasn't blind.
And I'm certainly not complaining.
-jp
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