How Low Can They Go?

How low can they go? I'm talking about Jeremy Rose and Rick Dutrow, the trainer and the jockey, both of whom were disciplined for breaking the rules of the sport and once again injuring innocent horses in the process. Both of these individuals should be acting as ambassadors to the sport, not adding insult to injury.

First Rose, who was suspended for six months following a stewards' ruling that he "engaged in extreme misuse of the whip during the stretch run" while aboard Appeal to the City during the third race at Delaware Park on June 23. Bloodhorse reports, "The horse sustained hemorrhaging around its eyes due to contact with Rose's whip."

The good news is that the horse is responding nicely to the treatment she received at New Bolton Center. The bad news is that Delaware Park was supposed to be testing the new shorter more humane whips. I have been unable to determined whether this accident occurred with the new whips or the old ones, which is actually irrelevant since it should not have occurred to begin with.

Rose has been suspended for a substantial amount of time (read lack of paycheck)and required to attend anger management classes, so this is not a slap on the wrist. In addition, Rose is responsible for all veterinarian bills for the care and treatment of Appeal to the City.

Compared to this, Dutrow seems to have gotten off fairly easy for doping another horse in his care. Salute the Count tested positive for twice the allowable level of clenbuterol after finishing second in a $100,000 stakes race at Churchill Downs the day before Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby. Dutrow is suspended for 15 days and the horse's owner must return the $20,000 in purse earnings.

The punishment does not seem to be meted out evenly in these two equally horrific crimes, which is an indication of the lack of central authority in the sport. As far as I'm concerned all "crimes" against horses should result in removal from the sport immediately and for perpetuity. No second chances. No appeals. No excuses.

As if Congress needed any more reasons to mandate a national commissioner...I am sure they are paying attention even if some of the people who earn their livings from the sport are not.