RE: Bettor lawsuit points to a bigger underlying issue

Once again, more words on a topic that never gets dealt with properly (story here).

Instead of slapping the wrists of the offenders, let’s try LONG suspensions and/or barring these lowlife cheats from infesting the sport.

In order to do this, they would need to sign a statement that say something to the effect of, “You are racing at racetrack (X) and we will test for illegal substances, and if you are caught cheating you will lose your training license for a period of (Y) years and you will not have access to the endless stays and other legal wrangling to delay the penalties to be served upon you.”

If the trainer doesn’t like the terms, race somewhere else, and that somewhere else should have similar rules in place.

In the case of the bettor suing due to the actions of Bobby Bresnahan Jr. and the people he employs, it is once again the story of “I don’t know anything about how the horse had EPO in his system.”

Well, we DO know that the horse didn’t eat a vial of EPO.

There is a cost to do this and the ultimate goal is to cash a ticket.

Withholding the purse money is not enough, as tickets were likely cashed that would exceed the purse winnings.

Pleading ignorance isn’t enough here. If you are the trainer and the guy who submits training and shipping bills that are to be paid, then YOU are responsible for everything that happens, and should feel that full force of the ensuing penalties, and this should include criminal charges.

Lots of guys are tough guys and have swagger until the steel door is locked behind them and they lose their freedom.

Prison is a good deterrent in this case.

The lawsuit will go nowhere. The gambler who instituted it probably knows that.

Caveat Emptor is in play here: If you are stupid enough to play the game, then you should realize what could happen.

This is how people who don’t bet on horse races view this, and whether you agree or disagree, that’s what it is.

Why not put this topic to bed already?

Loss of ability to participate in the sport.

Total loss of any possible financial gains from nefarious actions.

Prison time.

No excuses.

— Vic Dante / North Caldwell, NJ

More on bettor lawsuit

I understand and appreciate your article regarding the cheating and lawsuit. However, until there is culpability for all party’s involved in the cheating it will continue.

The parties are the trainer, the driver, the owner, and, yes, the track and possibly the Racing Commission.

Taking away the purse money does not compensate the bettors. As a betting customer I expect that the Racing Commission has done their job in licensing the principals and that includes insuring there are measures in place to deter potential abusers. In any other part of life where there is an abuse of laws, be they drug related or otherwise, there are consequences such as misdemeanors or felonies. If the State Racing Commission has failed to uphold those remedies, I believe they are culpable. If an owner/trainer/driver knew of the downside of their cheating and those consequences, which I’m sure would negate their licenses, I believe the cheating would end.

So, the first level of responsibility lies with the State Racing Commission. If they were doing their job and applying appropriate legal deterrents, we wouldn’t need the track to step in or worry about the betting public losing their money. I believe the State has failed in their duty to the point of an obvious and egregious oversight and that negates their immunity position. So let’s put the blame where it belongs.

Now compare a DUI stop and subsequent fines and legal findings with finding horse doping violations. Why in world would we give doping offenders multiple opportunities to cheat again? In some states, if you’re convicted of a DUI the first time, you are required to equip your vehicle with a license plate indicating you’ve had a DUI conviction. If I saw that entered horse had this type of notation, I would certainly avoid that race.

So, the bottom line is we need to press for a way to put the pressure at the right spot — the State Racing Commission.
Protecting and Serving.

Sticking their heads in the sand is no longer acceptable.

— David Perry / Dearborn, MI

Free programs at Yonkers tough to find

I was on the Yonkers website Monday night and damn if I couldn’t find a link to any free program.

Tell them to put it in a clear spot please!

From HRU: http://www.empirecitycasino.com/racing/condition-sheets-entries-results/

— Caesar Fiorini / Maywood, NJ