Usually when I write my weekly column, I like to keep the subject matter "upbeat" and I try to shy away from controversial stories pertaining to our sport. This has been the route I always tried to go, looking at the positive in the world of thoroughbred racing. I tried to stay away from subjects like the plight of NYRA the past decade and direction of racing in regards to legal and illegal drug use. I handled the NYRA situation as kindly and diplomatically as possible. Today, I'll attempt the same in regards to racing and drug usage by one it's leading trainers.
It was announced this past Wednesday, that thoroughbred trainer; Richard "Rick" Dutrow Jr. will be banned in the state of New York as a trainer for ten years with his license revoked. A three member board of the state wagering commission voted unanimously against him and barred him from reapplying during the ten year period. A lifetime ban was considered, but this was the ruling instead. The board ruled that Dutrow was "inconsistent with the best interests of racing" with his activities as trainer.
An appeal has already been put forward by his attorneys in regards to this finding and a motion has been filed seeking a stay in the ruling. Another part of the ruling has Dutrow barred from any racing facilities in New York for 10 years. His attorney; Michael Koenig said the panel ruling was "vindictive and heavy-handed" "contrary to the facts, contrary to the evidence and contrary to any notion of fundamental fairness or due process." This current ruling may put an end to his training days that have been marked by 64 rule violations throughout the years. They varied from minor issues to major medication violations. His past record and the way he has handled it publicly hasn't helped him out either. He is known for his defiance when he was accused of such violations and not afraid to speak out about it to the media. He has had personal problems also, that put a "bad light" on himself as a trainer.
His "ban" in New York state isn't the first state that has done this. Last year, Dutrow was not allowed to race in Kentucky and he has been the "poster child" for what is wrong with thoroughbred racing nationwide. It been said, until the "powers to be" in racing come down hard on him, racing will continue to have a "black eye" and the integrity of the game will be in question. The "straw" the broke the camel's back was on positive violation of a horse last Fall for butorphanol, a powerful painkiller in the post race sample and the discovery of a hypodermic needle in his barn. This got the process rolling in NY for him and may have ended his trainer career permanently.
A lot can be said for his track record to date, the violations, the arrogance when confronted with them. His record with improving horses under strange circumstances. He's NOT the only trainer with questions surrounding his runners, but they way it's been handle by himself has hurt him in many ways. We have a sport that has been under a microscope for many years. Unfortunately, more bad comes out, than good all the time. I like reporting on the good and try to do that most of the time. This is one of the "bad" and don't take pleasure in talking about it. I think time has run out on Rick Dutrow. Too many things have happened and now he has to "face the music". The sport needs to more forward and it should be without Mr. Dutrow.
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