Doug O’Neill. Google image.
Even though experts say that drugging racehorses is killing horse racing (along with hundreds of horses), the industry continues to pander to the criminal element among its “celebrated” trainers. I suppose they have to. After decades of leniency, if they actually enforced what few rules they have, there would be only a handful of trainers left to train. It seems everybody’s “doin’ it”, even the trainers who point their fingers at other trainers.
I am of course speaking about the ridiculous news that horse doper Doug O’Neill has dropped his appeal eagerly accepting a 40-day ban (instead of a whopping 180 trimmed to 45) so he can learn “some new things”. Hopefully he will not be taking a course on sticking it to frogs to make some dermorphin. It would not surprise me. From interviews, he has an extensive knowledge of doping to build on.
The Associated Press reports:
Kentucky Derby and Preakness-winning trainer Doug O’Neill on Wednesday dropped his appeal of a 45-day suspension stemming from an excess of carbon dioxide in one of his horses in 2010. He will serve the penalty starting Aug. 19.
Did he get another five days chopped off for being so affable about the whole affair or something?
The article adds:
O’Neill was originally given a 180-day suspension by the California board. A hearing officer found that the carbon dioxide level was not caused by milkshaking, an illegal practice that involves giving a horse a mixture of bicarbonate substances to stave off fatigue. However, the officer said O’Neill should be suspended under the trainer responsibility rule.
Quote of the Day goes to Barry Petchesky (DeadSpin.com):
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