Eight Belles’ Death, Big Brown’s Winstrol Use Polarized What was Always the ‘Norm’

On the heels of the state of New York changing its horse racing steroid policy, the upcoming Breeders’ Cup this weekend will have testing for the banned substances. The ‘Sport of Kings’ has always been accepting of the use of performance-enhancing drugs and the recent windfall attempting to connect misfortune with steroids has all of a sudden changed that method of thinking.

If anyone believes that the death of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby and the hoof injuries to Big Brown have anything to do with steroids, then they will probably also believe that Barry Bonds felt he was only using flaxseed oil. Horses do have unfortunate accidents on the track, some resulting in their demise. Those incidents have absolutely nothing to do with steroids. It is simply another excuse to hang something on without finding out the true cause. Continue Reading »

By Leigh Penman

Just as the ups and, mainly, downs of Wall Street seem to be forever in the news so does the use of anabolic steroids in various sports. This week saw the spotlight turning once again on the world of horse racing. On Tuesday (October 14) the New York Racing and Wagering Board let it be known that it is implementing new rules as regards the administration of anabolic steroids in the world of horse racing.

This is a follow up to the earlier revelation that the recently retired racehorse, Big Brown, was juiced on Winstrol whilst competing in the Kentucky Derby. Even though this was in fact entirely legal in terms of horseracing protocol, board chairman John D. Sabini stated in an article in the ‘Daily News’ that by imposing limits on four steroids currently used in horse racing New York would be leading the pack when it came to preserving integrity within the sport. He also made it clear that the intended message to owners and trainers was, “If you flaunt our steroid rules, you will be held accountable.” Continue Reading »

Big Brown’s Trainer Under the Weather, Will Miss Testifying

The star witness expected to headline Congress’ latest inquisition into drugs and sports will be a no-show. Rick Dutrow, Jr., the trainer of almost-Triple Crown winner Big Brown, had to pass up an opportunity to publicize himself again due to a virus.

The Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection will go on in their hearings on horse racing and what can be done to improve the ’sport of kings.’ Dutrow, who can be kindly described as the court jester, would have been asked a lot of questions, according to Rep. Ed Whitfield of Kentucky. Steroid use is just one of the many topics being investigated by the committee, and Dutrow’s comments concerning the use of winstrol would have surely come up. Continue Reading »

Attention-Seeking Trainer to Also Testify in Front of Congress

It appears as if Big Brown has one more race in him before being put out to stud. On Tuesday, Rick Dutrow, Jr., the colt’s trainer, said that the horse will be injected with Winstrol over the weekend. If he is healthy, Big Brown will run on either August 3 (the Haskell at Monmouth) or August 23 (the Travers at Saratoga). Now all we have to wait for is for Dutrow to try to take this statement back (as he did after the Preakness) and for the odds makers to figure on a strong bounce back run for the three year-old after receiving some gear.

Dutrow will have a busy week with an invitation from Congress for next Thursday. “Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse” is the latest interference on the sports world by members of the United States government. Expect him to make a horse’s ass out of himself, similar to Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Raphael Palmiero and Sammy Sosa have in the past. Continue Reading »

If 3 Year-Old Runs, Dutrow & Iavarone May Enhance Chances

Big Brown may become just another footnote in the long list of almost-Triple Crown winners. The three year-old colt could have rode off into the sunset draped in carnations if he could have pulled off winning the Belmont Stakes this past Saturday. But it was not meant to be and now many questions have been raised about the future of the horse.

If he is not retired, the next race for him could be the Travers in August. The next question would be if trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. would administer Winstrol in preparation of the race, one that could mean a lot of money - not only in potential winnings, but more importantly his stallion career. It would behoove the Big Brown camp to ensure a win to erase the disappointing performance at the sweltering Long Island race track. Continue Reading »

Trainer Dutrow to Lay Off the Juice on the Cusp of the Triple Crown

Timing is everything, especially in the ‘Sport of Kings.’ The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports has been a favorite for well over a century, and a horse going for the Triple Crown only enhances the excitement. After Big Brown left the rest far behind in the first two legs at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, the Belmont Stakes has become the top story.

The ‘favorite’ tag became even larger for Big Brown after Casino Drive was scratched the morning of the race. Even before that, the confidence level from the Big Brown camp was blatantly obvious. Trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. has been very open of the fact that he feels that there is no competition for his thoroughbred. While that may have some truth to it, then outspoken Dutrow has been in the forefront of every story on Big Brown.

That confidence may have gone up to the next level when Dutrow made a statement concerning the use of Winstrol for all the horses in his stable, including Big Brown. He told reporters that the horses receive a monthly shot of Winny, which is legal in New York State (at least for veterinary purposes), but that he would not administer the steroid for Belmont. “It’s just too much for three races in five weeks,” he said. That doesn’t quite add up, according to what Dutrow claimed about the shots being only monthly. Continue Reading »