“Failing the Breathalyzer,” “Striking Another Licensee With a Pole” – Just Life at the Track

Some recent rulings from harness world…

Among the many violations for “excessive or indiscriminate use of the whip,” were these:

Barry County Fair (Michigan), Jul 12: “While driving Super Girl Power, Mr. David Lake caused visible injury to the stifle with the whip.” Lake was fined $250 and suspended three days. The regulators then added: “This is Mr. Lake’s second offense of this nature in 60 days.” Presumably (but maybe not), the first offense came at the Mecosta County Fair, Jul 7: “While driving Har Lee Leslie, David Lake used a whip on a horse when the horse was not reasonably advancing.” In other words, perfectly fine to beat a horse when it’s having its desired effect – making him “advance.” For this, Lake was fined $100.

Then these, illustrating the kinds of people working with utterly defenseless animals:

Northfield, May 14: “[Driver/Trainer] Jeremy Jones falsified his application by failing to list his prior arrest record.”

Northfield, Jun 7: “[Trainer] Matthew Burkholder falsified his license application by failing to list his prior arrest record.”

Harrington, Jun 18: “Gary Cameron is indefinitely suspended for failing the breathalyzer.”

And this:

Schuyler County Fair (Illinois), Jul 1: “After the 9th race, driver/trainer Chris Brown struck another licensee with a head pole on the backstretch and used improper language. This is Mr. Brown’s second offense of this nature in the past two weeks.”

“Second offense of this nature in the past two weeks.” What?

And back to the Thoroughbreds…

In its typically (and disgustingly) mawkish write-up on the death of Mopotism, “the dam of Preakness winner Journalism,” the Thoroughbred Daily News cited the following social-media post: “Mopotism…has died due to complications from colic at Don Alberto USA. She leaves two unraced products, a yearling filly daughter of Into Mischief and a 2-month-old filly by Flightline.” The racehorse as product. Says it all, folks.