Racing

[Beth]

Excellent start.

[Admin]

Very good start. I am actually surprised at the magnitude of change initiated and supported at this time. Hopefully, it means everyone is ready for a change.

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Well we forgot about the Congressional Hearing Yesterday. BUT WOW! It looks like they aren't going to quit!

Racing officials testify in D.C., decry drugging of horses
'We let this go on too long'
By Janet Patton And Halimah Abdullah
JPATTON1@HERALDLEADER.COM

Susan Walsh
Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., questioned a witness Thursday during the House Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection subcommittee hearing in Washington. Photo by Susan Walsh | Associated Press
Comments
WASHINGTON --Top Thoroughbred racing officials told Congress Thursday that they have taken steps to fix major problems such as steroid misuse by the end of the year.

"We are all responsible. We let this go on too long," said Alex Waldrop, CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association at a congressional hearing on racing and drugs.

The hearing was prompted, in part, by a public outcry over the fatal breakdown of Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby in May. Lawmakers worry that too many high-profile deaths and injuries in racing suggest the need for a central governing body to enforce uniform rules for the industry.

Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Hopkinsville, the ranking minority member on the subcommittee, asked Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg whether drug problems were widespread. "It's like chemical warfare," said Van Berg, who is best known for training Alysheba.

But Waldrop made it clear that many in the racing industry still do not want to see the federal government step in.

"Recently this industry has made great strides toward uniformity at the national level. ... I stress that the last thing this industry needs is another level of regulation," Waldrop said.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority also spoke against the concept. "The rationale for such a federal racing authority is built upon the perception that state racing regulators have failed to deal with health and safety issues. ... This perception is flawed," said a statement from the KHRA, citing recent discussions on banning steroids in Kentucky.

But Kentucky's efforts, and those of the Jockey Club safety committee formed after the death of Eight Belles, may be too little too late.

Members of the House Commerce and Energy Committee's subcommittee on commerce, trade and consumer protection are already planning another hearing.

Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., who represents the horse country around Ocala, said that legislation on forming a central authority is likely.

Eliminate steroids

Some top Thoroughbred breeders, owners, trainers and veterinary experts argued for a central governing body.

One panel, including Stone Farm owner Arthur Hancock of Paris and Curlin owner Jess Jackson, agreed that performance-enhancing drugs, including steroids, should be eliminated from racing.

"If you stop the medication, the unsound horses will eliminate themselves," Van Berg said.

But Alan Marzelli, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club, said he favors letting the industry continue its reforms.

Whitfield said the industry has promised change before. "You can only recommend. Do you have the power to put this into effect?"

Marzelli said the group has "the power of persuasion" and consensus.

"I think your record would reflect you lack even that power," Whitfield responded. "I think it's been clearly demonstrated that the NTRA and the Jockey Club do not have the authority."

Forcing standards

Hancock said most industry groups are well-meaning but pull in different directions. "After hundreds of meetings and 28 years (since the last federal effort to regulate racing drugs), there just doesn't seem to be any urgency," he said.

Whitfield has suggested using the 1978 Interstate Horseracing Act, which regulates simulcasting, to force states to enact minimum drug, testing and safety standards. Simulcasting accounts for 90 percent of the $15 billion wagered annually on Thoroughbred racing. States that don't comply would be cut out of that market.

A separate panel of mostly veterinary experts testified about the effects medications are having on racehorses.

Dr. Lawrence Soma of the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center said that the only drug still legally given in all states on race day -- furosemide (known as Lasix or Salix) -- has not been shown to stop bleeding in the lungs. However, "it improves the times of racehorses," Soma said.

The use of medications and the rise in injuries appear to be linked, the vets said.

Allie Conrad, executive director of CANTER Mid Atlantic, an organization that helps injured racehorses, testified that many go through a "terrible, terrible withdrawal period." Conrad said many have been injected with both legal and illegal drugs.

Dutrow a no show

One person the lawmakers wanted to question about steroids -- Big Brown trainer Rick Dutrow -- was unavailable.

"We had expected Rick Dutrow. ... Apparently Mr. Dutrow is too ill to travel to D.C.," Schakowsky said at the opening of the hearing. "Unfortunately, Mr. Dutrow never informed the committee of his illness."

She said Dutrow had not responded to numerous attempts by committee staff to contact him.

The hearing was prompted in part by recent controversy over steroids and the death of Eight Belles. Shortly after crossing the finish line in the Kentucky Derby, the filly broke both front legs and was euthanized. Necropsy results showed that Eight Belles had not been given steroids.

But Big Brown was on steroids. So Dutrow would have been one of the star witnesses on Thursday. Lawmakers wanted to ask him why he gives all his horses the steroid Winstrol once a month.

Dutrow said he gave Big Brown the drug before his Kentucky Derby win. Big Brown's slump in the Belmont led some to conjecture that his performance was poor because he hadn't gotten his monthly shot.

In written testimony submitted to the committee, Dutrow said: "I also hope that I was not asked here because of some of the problems I have had in the past. I hope your staff people were sincere in inviting me because they valued my insight. I want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

"People have asked me why I do it," Dutrow said of giving his horses steroids. "It helps the horses eat better. Their coats brighten. They're more alert. It helps them train."

After hearing the harsh comments of vets, trainers and breeders on what drugs have done to racing, Rep. Stearns, of Florida, remarked, "I can see why Mr. Dutrow perhaps didn't show up."


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Halimah Abdullah reported from Washington; Janet Patton reported from Lexington.

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[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Here's link to archived hearing

http://energycommerce.house.gov/cmte_mt ... cing.shtml

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

It actually starts about 2 minutes into the "recording"

[Second_Chances_Mom]

[b]Did anyone else hear about this?? My father told me about it and i was just so upset...Thinking and replaying Eight Belles and now this...poor babies!![/b]


Churchill Downs still doesn't want to change their track surface... the only good thing about this news is that it is MAKING THE NEWS.


Two more horses injured and euthanized at Churchill downs on Saturday


A little less than two months after filly Eight Belles was euthanized on the Churchill Downs track, and two days after a congressional hearing on horse safety, two horses were fatally injured at the track.


The first incident happened in the first race at Churchill Downs Saturday afternoon. Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan was thrown from his horse, Vinstar, after the horse took a bad step and broke down. Bridgmohan tried to pull-up the Steve Asmussen trained colt, but it was too late. Vinstar had to be euthanized on the spot with fractures in both front legs and a dislocated right front fetlock. Bridgmohan was transported to the hospital with minor injuries in his right arm and left leg.

Later in the fourth race Naughty Fu Peg, trained by Tim Burton and ridden by Corey Lanerie brook down with a fractured knee on his right front side. He was given a lethal injection on the track.

[snowshoehair]

A very sad way to make the news!

Maybe enough people will stop going to the track when they get tired of seeing horses die on it.

[Admin]

This is just horrible. How many have to "break down" as they put it, before something is done. Both front legs?? My God, doesn't that tell somebody, something???? This horses whole life, all the training and care, ended this way. It's disgusting and reprehensible and makes me very ashamed.

[Second_Chances_Mom]

When the tragic ending for Eight Belles (RIP sweet baby) happened...my gut just tightened and gave me that feeling "The track did it"...maybe my gut was right. Cause everytime I think about it, now having to re-read the same epsode with 2 other babies...my gut just tells "The track"

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

I had not heard this - I am not surprised though. Thank goodness it's considered NEWS (although nothing new, sadly, that this continues to happen). The power of PUBLIC OPINION will be the only way any positive changes will occur either in the way the horses are raced and how they are bred.

write your public representatives. OFTEN.

[Second_Chances_Mom]

THe following statement is from PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk in response to the two horse deaths yesterday at Churchill Downs.



The catastrophic injury and destruction of two more horses Saturday at Churchill Downs—just weeks after Eight Belles died on the same track at the Kentucky Derby and Big Brown finished last at the Belmont after criticism of his constant doping—demonstrate that it is time for the thoroughbred racing industry to stop talking about reforms and act immediately to stop the death toll.

PETA is renewing its call for racing officials to mandate an end to all drug use in the week before a race, require that horses cannot be raced until after their third birthday, mandate the use of turf or synthetic tracks at every race course, and ban whipping. Because speed and money are all that counts to in the racing industry, Vinstar and Naughty Fu Peg are the latest in long string of broken, dead horses—a trend that will not end until reforms are made.

“Churchill Downs and other race tracks are death traps for horses,” says PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. “The Jockey Club and the NTRA are doing a lot of talking, but change can’t wait—it’s a matter of life and death for horses.”

Last week, PETA representatives attended Churchill Downs’ shareholder meeting and called for these reforms, and PETA’s testimony urging the implementation of these reforms was accepted by the House Subcommittee on Commerce during the hearings on racing abuse. A copy of the testimony is available upon request.

[Shadow]

This is just so horrible!! How many horses have to die before something is done And why not stop giving drugs period, not just a week before?

[scoobysmom]

To all the committees still "ruminating" whether to make changes-
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!!!!
It is time to start thinking about the horse, not the prize money!

[maryt]

For the past couple days about every 5 minutes on Fox News you see the "funny car" tragedy. It was a horrific crash and my heart goes out to his family. But I only saw a tiny blurb go across the bottom of the TV screen regarding the two horses that had to be euthanized at the race track this weekend. If they would give as much attention to the horse racing industry as the race car industry it would sure help the awareness factor. I think PETA is doing a great job trying to raise awareness, but I think some people might automatically shut them out because sometimes their actions can be extreme.

I don't mean to sound heartless, but the race car driver really placed himself in danger, while the horses are being placed in danger at others hands. It really is time to make a stand. I read something in the Readers Digest about a "carpet bomb" (Ithink that is what it was called). Anyway, I'll go back and read about it again. It had something to do with a mass email type thing to give exposure to a bad company. Maybe if we can get enough involved we can start to make an impact!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

that sounds interesting Mary-Let us know what you find out about the carpet bomb!

[maryt]

will do!

[Admin]

That is a great idea, Mary, do let us know what you find! It's amazing what gets interest in the press, isn't it?

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

we could bombard congress and everyone!

[scoobysmom]

Is this what you are talking about Mary?

COMPLAINT LETTER: How to launch an Executive E-mail Carpet Bomb

http://consumerist.com/consumer/complai ... 259713.php

[maryt]

The article I was talking about was in the May 2008 Readers Digest and the thing I was talking about is called an "email carpet bomb". You figure out the company's email address format (could be firstname.lastname@companyname.com) Sample company email addresses can be found in their press releases. Then get the names of the top executives, put them into the address formula and blast out your letter to as many people you want.

I think we could send several variations of the carpet bomb to different types of "receivers" (couldn't think of what to call them!)

1. Politicians
2. Companies that advertise at the races on TV, at the track, etc.
3. Horse owners - private or corporate
4. Track owners
5. Horse supply companies
6. Animal rights advocates (maybe they can then send on to their members)

It would take some digging to find the right places to send them to, but it has great potential, there is no cost involved to get the word out in a big way!

[Admin]

That sounds like a major good Plan!! I don't suppose you would want to ferret any of that information out, would you .

[DoxieLover]

2 Horses Euthanized at Churchill DownsAP
Posted: 2008-06-22 19:21:40
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 22) — Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan received minor injuries and his horse, Vinstar, was euthanized after the horse took a spill Saturday during the first race at Churchill Downs.

Bridgmohan was taken to a Louisville hospital, but had no broken bones or serious injuries, an agent for the jockey said.

According to a statement from Churchill Downs, the 29-year-old jockey was dropped near the sixteenth pole in the six-furlong sprint when the horse appeared to take a bad step.

Bridgmohan, who rode Pyro to eighth place in this year's Kentucky Derby, appeared to be kicked by a trailing horse as he rolled under the rail.

Dr. Lafe Nichols, the state veterinarian for the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, said Vinstar had to be euthanized after suffering sesamoid fractures in both front legs and a dislocated right front fetlock.

The 3-year-old son of Vindication was owned by Stonestreet Stable and trained by Steve Asmussen.

A second horse was euthanized in the fourth race, according the Courier-Journal.

Naughty Fu Peg was given a lethal injection after fracturing the knee of his right foreleg during the race, the newspaper reported Saturday. The 3-year-old gelding was trained by Tim Burton for owner Sano Park.

A recent Associated Press survey found that thoroughbred racetracks in the U.S. reported more than three horse deaths a day last year and 5,000 since 2003, and the vast majority were put down after suffering devastating injuries on the track.

[maryt]

Is this what you are talking about Mary?

COMPLAINT LETTER: How to launch an Executive E-mail Carpet Bomb

http://consumerist.com/consumer/complai ... 259713.php

Not sure why I didn't see your message before I added mine - sorry! Looks just the same to me, just found at a different source!

Gale - I would be more than happy to start looking for the info - will let you know what I find!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Super Mary! It sould be our form "carpet bomb" that we use for all future mailings.

[scoobysmom]

Woohoo Mary, thank you

[Admin]

Thank you, Mary!!!!

[DoxieLover]

AAEP Endorses Thoroughbred Safety Committee Recommendations

The AAEP has endorsed the three initial recommendations of The Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Safety Committee. The committee announced on Tuesday, June 17 that it is recommending the elimination of steroids in race training and racing, a ban on toe grabs, and a series of whip-related reforms, all aimed at improving safety and integrity in Thoroughbred racing.

Said AAEP President Dr. Eleanor Green, "The AAEP strongly supports the implementation of the Thoroughbred Safety Committee's initial recommendations and appreciates the committee's leadership at this critical time for the racing industry. Uniform medication rules combined with uniform testing procedures will ensure consistency in the administration of therapeutic medications and will bring tremendous benefit to the health and welfare of the racehorse. The AAEP strongly encourages the continued pursuit of uniformity by the racing industry and stands ready to contribute the expertise and perspective of racetrack practitioners to the dialogue."

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Bit by bit, all of these tiny drops of water will move the mountain called indifference!

[maryt]

Just an update on the info for the email carpet bomb - I didn't want you to think I've forgotten, just been busy!

I've started by putting together a list of sponsors for all three races in the triple crown.

The Kentucky Derby - YUM Brands - they are the parent company for Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Long John Silvers, A&W, and Taco Bell

http://www.yum.com/news/pressreleases/020106.asp Below is their statement regarding Eight Belles

Kentucky Derby 134 Statement

Eight Belles' accident on Saturday was very unfortunate and tragic, and just like the rest of America, we were very saddened. Our sympathies go out to everyone associated with this horse.

The Kentucky Derby has been a great American tradition for 134 years, and we are proud to be the presenting sponsor. We have been reassured Churchill Downs is fully exploring how this accident occurred. They are a great partner and we look forward to continuing that relationship as the presenting sponsor going forward.


The Preakness

Dos Equis (bums me out - I really like that beer)
Nutramax
Maryland Life


The Belmont

Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Vitamin Water


There are numerous sponsors of "celebration" events that take place before the Derby and the Preakness - does anyone know anything about these events? Sponsors include both local and nationally known merchants, but I don't find them actually sponsoring the races themselves



So far those are the only ones I've found but will continue to look.

I'm also looking into the carpet bombs themselves, and how to make them as effective as possible. As I get feedback from you all, I'll start work on the corporate email addresses of those we choose to write to

I'll keep you posted as I get more info. Let me know if you have any other info that might be useful to this project!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

might as well include the jockey club, the state licensing org in New York, maryland, and Kentucky - and any breeder clubs/groups in those states - might try googling state name racing....

great job - mary.