But I must clear something up.

Butorphanol is NOT a pain killer. Butorphanol is more commonly know as Torbugesic. It is a tranquilizer. Many veterinarians will administer a R.A.T. shot, Rompun aka Xylazine, Ace aka Acepromazine and Torbugesic aka Butorphanol.

A horse can be given a tranquilizer for many reasons, Body clipping, Blacksmith etc.

If a horse is given just Ace, Rompun or even Dormosedan, there is the risk of the horse waking suddenly and kicking very violently. Butorphanol seems to stop that and the horse is very calm and relaxed. Then every one goes home that night instead of to the hospital.

I have worked for many veterinarians. I have been to Rick Dutrow's barn several times over many years. Every time that a person goes into his barn at Aqueduct. You must show your license to the security guards who are at his barn 24/7.

Barbara Grimaldi.. If you walked around every race track in the country. Looked in every barn and asked yourself. If I had a horse where would I want it to be.

You would want your horse in Rick Dutrow's barn. The horses have 2 feet of straw in there stalls, plenty of hay and they are all happy. They have a great shine to their coats too. People forget, Dutrow grew up on the back stretch. He didn't go to prep school or college like some of the other trainers.

Replying to James Robison:
He is alive and thriving in A.P. Indy, Storm Cat, Gone West and so on and he and his legacy transcend money grubbing and self righteousness to those who can look at the horse and not the manure pit. Anyway, If Secretariat could talk we wouldn't understand him...

Thats understandable? I'll ask R Dutrow for clarification when he's not in court.

Replying to binky mcfadden:
If Secretariat were alive; he'd roll over in his grave!

He is alive and thriving in A.P. Indy, Storm Cat, Gone West and so on and he and his legacy transcend money grubbing and self righteousness to those who can look at the horse and not the manure pit. Anyway, If Secretariat could talk we wouldn't understand him...

Replying to James Robison:
Yes of course he is (making money). Dn't you understand how the legal system works? The man can train a horse.I think I've said this on the forum before if you want to be interested in something less seamier, fine, but the rAcing of horses is raw gambling and and it is an underworld activity. The one redeeming aspect to my mind is that the selected breeding of a certain population of animals takes on a life of its own and transcends the banality of money grubbing and self righteousness. In my mind a Secretariat balances the scale.

If Secretariat were alive; he'd roll over in his grave!

Replying to Barbara Grimaldi:
The only response i can give you is: he's still out there racing and making money. The 10 year suspension seems to have had little effect on his bank account. And he hurts all the clean trainers out there who work honestly. As long as he can give us wise cracks from his arrogant mouth in the press, he is laughing up his sleeve at the public, other trainers, and of course, the horses.

Yes of course he is (making money). Dn't you understand how the legal system works? The man can train a horse.

I think I've said this on the forum before if you want to be interested in something less seamier, fine, but the rAcing of horses is raw gambling and and it is an underworld activity. The one redeeming aspect to my mind is that the selected breeding of a certain population of animals takes on a life of its own and transcends the banality of money grubbing and self righteousness. In my mind a Secretariat balances the scale.

Replying to James Robison:
Yes. As we do not live under the Napoleonic Code where one is guilty until proven innocent Dutrow is entitled to earn a living with recourse to the Appeals system we do live under.

Dear Jimmy:

Napoleonic Code? Guilty before proven innocent? Are you kidding? Dutrow had his "day in court", and then some!

•He has a history of PROVEN violations in numerous jurisdictions.

•Licensees have agreed that they are subject to reviews and rulings by state racing officials.

•A horse Dutrow trained tested positive for the painkiller butorphanol in NY.

•Needles were later found in his barn

•His case was reviewed by racing officials (stewards).

•That case then was reviewed by the NYSR&WB

•That was reviewed by NY state courts.

•It will be reviewed again and heard or rejected by another court.

Mr. Dutrow's continued presence is detrimental to the interests of racing. Even, if it were not, his absence will certainly not harm it. Most will consider racing better off. Those in racing who do not agree should at least be a tiny bit apprehensive.

Replying to James Robison:
A ten year suspension is more than a "slap on the hand..." As I recall Steve Asmussen had a six month suspension, Pletcher has been suspended as well as Biancone for a year as I remember. I've been around.

The only response i can give you is: he's still out there racing and making money. The 10 year suspension seems to have had little effect on his bank account. And he hurts all the clean trainers out there who work honestly. As long as he can give us wise cracks from his arrogant mouth in the press, he is laughing up his sleeve at the public, other trainers, and of course, the horses.

Replying to Barbara Grimaldi:
Mr. Robison, are you a trainer or a TB owner? While your statement is true about the code, it skips over the overwhelming evidence of Dutrow's guilt and the industry's reluctance and habit of punishing bad trainer behavior with slaps on the hand with an old copy of the Racing Form.

A ten year suspension is more than a "slap on the hand..." As I recall Steve Asmussen had a six month suspension, Pletcher has been suspended as well as Biancone for a year as I remember. I've been around.

Replying to James Robison:
Yes. As we do not live under the Napoleonic Code where one is guilty until proven innocent Dutrow is entitled to earn a living with recourse to the Appeals system we do live under.

Mr. Robison, are you a trainer or a TB owner? While your statement is true about the code, it skips over the overwhelming evidence of Dutrow's guilt and the industry's reluctance and habit of punishing bad trainer behavior with slaps on the hand with an old copy of the Racing Form.