Trainer Claims 85% of Trainers Use Illegal Drugs

[Grits]

Originally Posted by 5k-claim

I don't remember all of the details of this... did his trainer, or any other representative of the horse, not see the work? In their absence, why was Kulina chosen to take over management of the horse?

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George Washington was owned by Tabor, Magnier, et al and trained by Aiden O'Brian. Kulina didn't choose to take over management of the horse, he chose to defy Monmouth's safety protocol regarding the required time for a "breeze" which was :40. As I typed in the post, he worked no better than :43. Kulina as the general manager of Monmouth instructed the clocker to change the time of the work so it could be published. "Its Breeders' Cup, he's got to run".

[proximity]

Originally Posted by andymays

Are there still cheaters? Absolutely.........

baby steps, andy, baby steps.

keep at it and soon you'll see stuff like 35% trainers, 40% owners , and trainers who get new girlfriends doubling their win percentages overnight and just roll your eyes automatically!!

[5k-claim]

Originally Posted by Grits

George Washington was owned by Tabor, Magnier, et al and trained by Aiden O'Brian. Kulina didn't choose to take over management of the horse, he chose to defy Monmouth's safety protocol regarding the required time for a "breeze" which was :40. As I typed in the post, he worked no better than :43. Kulina as the general manager of Monmouth instructed the clocker to change the time of the work so it could be published. "Its Breeders' Cup, he's got to run".

I know your opinion of Kulina regarding this matter.

What do you feel about the horse's connections?

[Grits]

Originally Posted by 5k-claim

I know your opinion of Kulina regarding this matter.

What do you feel about the horse's connections?

I never understood why they brought George Washington here for the Classic. He was a turf horse in Europe. Of course, he'd never run on dirt.

[Robert Fischer]

People heavily use performance enhancing drugs in every major sport or athletic event. Racing is no different.

[5k-claim]

Originally Posted by Grits

I never understood why they brought George Washington here for the Classic. He was a turf horse in Europe. Of course, he'd never run on dirt.

Fair enough.

We're getting closer...

What is your opinion of the horse's connections in specific regards to the workout?

[andymays]

Originally Posted by 5k-claim

Fair enough.

We're getting closer...

What is your opinion of the horse's connections in specific regards to the workout?

My recollection is that he didn't handle the track at all but the Jock kept pushing him.

[FenceBored]

Originally Posted by Grits

I never understood why they brought George Washington here for the Classic. He was a turf horse in Europe. Of course, he'd never run on dirt.

They also tried with him in the Classic at CD in 2006 where he finished sixth.

His only child is going back to auction in Dec.

DATE With Destiny, the only horse sired by the ill-fated 2,000 Guineas winner George Washington, is set to be offered at the Tattersalls December Sale.
-- http://www.racingpost.com/horses/hom...rgument=758468

Curious to see what she'll bring.

[Grits]

Originally Posted by 5k-claim

Fair enough.

We're getting closer...

What is your opinion of the horse's connections in specific regards to the workout?

No we're not. What's your point?

You're the trainer. Instead, why don't you speak up and tell the rest of group how you'd treat a racehorse that was retired, found to have fertility problems, and thus, sent back to the track 6 months later. Obviously trying to squeeze a few more thousand out of an animal that was one of the most celebrated racehorses in Europe.

Better yet, if you're this interested, buy the author's book.

[Grits]

Added note, sorry, but I'd forgotten how poorly he ran in '06 in his one start on the dirt here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_...on_%28horse%29

[Spalding No!]

Originally Posted by Grits

Added note, sorry, but I'd forgotten how poorly he ran in '06 in his one start on the dirt here.

He actually handled the dirt fine that day, despite encountering trouble on the turn splitting the field and besting horses like Lava Man, Perfect Drift, and Lawyer Ron.

He simply failed to stay the 10f.

[5k-claim]

Originally Posted by Jeff P

You have to regulate your game in such a way that questions about the integrity of the game itself (from the public at large) are made a thing of the past.
-jp

I agree that there is so much room for improvement here... absolutely. There is no way anyone could be satisfied with racing's current status. You are always a good spokesman for horseplayers on these things, and this issue is huge.

Related Question: If you were going to be given a job holding you responsible for the integrity of running the following, in which order would you want the jobs?

* Professional football
* Professional baseball
* Professional basketball
* Horse racing
* A lottery
* A casino game
* Cycling

Me? I would choose to be held responsible for the integrity of running the lottery, because I think it would be the easiest on the list to keep tabs on. Followed by running a casino game. (Of course I could be wrong about the scope of the challenge to running a clean lottery or casino game... I don't know much about either.)

For how many on that list are "questions about the integrity of the game itself (from the public at large) are made a thing of the past."? Especially in terms of drug use, since that comes up a lot.

On another note, did HANA come out with an official opinion on the issue of banning raceday lasix?

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[5k-claim]

Originally Posted by Grits

No we're not. What's your point?

I was honestly asking about that workout because I did not even know about it. I did not follow it that closely.

I was just responding to how you reacted so strongly to the workout that you want to fire Kulina over it. So, I wondered how you felt about the trainer.

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[Grits]

Originally Posted by 5k-claim

I was honestly asking about that workout because I did not even know about it. I did not follow it that closely.

I was just responding to how you reacted so strongly to the workout that you want to fire Kulina over it. So, I wondered how you felt about the trainer.

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You're right, I did react strongly and the reason is George Washington should not have died in the manner that he did. With Coolmore's money, there's no doubt that he was well insured.

I know you have this knowledge that . . . sometimes horses are able to tell us, "I'm not well, I can't run today. I can't make this one". Its up to us to pay attention. Their well being is in human hands. This time, no one listened, not even the trainer; only the clocker, and he was steamrolled by the track's general manager.

Whistle blowers, unfortunately, are often an army of one. It may not ever be read or widely noticed--this book, or its chapter about George Washington's death. But I read it, and its closed my interest in Monmouth Park.

[5k-claim]

Originally Posted by Grits

... I know you have this knowledge that . . . sometimes horses are able to tell us, "I'm not well, I can't run today. I can't make this one". Its up to us to pay attention.

I am with you 100% on this one, Grits. The weight of this really hits you when your name is on it. It is not always as easy as it looks, but that doesn't take away the responsibility. If you don't want the responsibility, then don't put your name on it.

That connection and responsibility is both the most rewarding part of working with horses, and the one that puts the biggest knots in your stomach.

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