Although I am generally loath to villainize individual exploiters – choosing instead to indict the industry – I do occasionally make exceptions. Doug (aka “Drug”) O’Neill has a well-earned reputation as a cheater – with cheating, in horseracing, almost always…
2-year-old (remember that age) Snow Cloud Cartel finished 1st in a “Futurity Trial” at Will Rogers Sep 12. Two weeks later in the “Futurity” itself – a $180K Grade 2 race – he finished 4th, garnering almost $15K for his…
A ruling yesterday from the Delaware Racing Commission: “Owner/trainer Jaime Cruz is fined $1,000 for failing to protect a horse in his charge against the administration of prohibited drugs or medications. In testimony, Cruz’s exercise person admitted to giving Acepromazine…
A report/ruling from the Minnesota Racing Commission: “Elvin Zimmerman was the subject of a vehicle search on 8 Syringes with needles attached, and bottles labeled with non-prescription contents were found in Mr. Zimmerman’s possession. Mr. Zimmerman signed a statement verifying…
In the 6th at Belterra yesterday, this for 3-year-old California Kitty: “dropped far back, in a gallop through the stretch, just able to cross wire and walked off.” She crossed the wire, it turns out, 97+ lengths back. Now, some…
On June 21 at Thistledown, Two Eagles “won” the 8th race, “earning” $10,000+ for his people, including trainer Alejandro Murillo Rodriguez. (Two Eagles was also “claimed” – sold – for $7,500 prior to the race.) Turns out, however, that the…
In January, during the trial of the unethical veterinarian Seth Fishman, owner/trainer Jamen Davidovich admitted that he bought illegal drugs from the vet and, of course, used them on his horses. He was promptly suspended in Ohio and faces a…
Odds n ends… On Jul 16, Mi Gentee finished first in a race at Ruidoso. Apparently, though, the 3-year-old had some help: According to the New Mexico Racing Commission, Mi tested positive for nikethamide, a Class 1 (the worst kind)…
From the Iowa Racing Commission, regarding goings-on at Prairie Meadows: “A report from Industrial Laboratories states methamphetamine confirmed in blood and urine in sample taken from the horse ‘Drag Malibu’ after finishing first in the third race on May 29.”…
The stewards at Fair Meadows have temporarily suspended (pending a hearing) trainer Etniel Sanabria for a positive on his horse A Relentless Gamble June 10. The dope of choice: methamphetamine. The ruling states that meth is a “prohibited substance with…
The Oklahoma Racing Commission announced the following Friday: “A REPORT WAS RECEIVED STATING THE HORSE JUST A KVN, WHICH PLACED 1ST IN THE 3RD RACE AT REMINGTON ON THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022, TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE D-METHAMPHETAMINE. ON…
Some odds and ends… In the 4th at Churchill Friday, Vicki Rose “went wrong” and was eventually “vanned off.” Nothing unusual there, of course. But there’s also this: Vicki “was fractious in the starting gate.” Perhaps the two-year-old – two-year-old…
