That Racing Commissioners International report called the 2011 Report on Drug Violations really insulted my intelligence. I'm sure I am not alone.
Their major findings: Less than 1 out of 200 tested samples came up positive. And 94% of those positives were overages of "legal" drugs.
From this, they were hoping that the conclusion is that horse racing is a very clean business, and that it gets a bad rap.
The reality is that the drugs tested for are limited. Trainers and vets will go out of their way to prevent overages of known drugs, they would have to be completely dimwitted not to. But what about the drugs that aren't tested for? And what about the concoctions which make even the testable drugs undetectable? How can they possibly make the assertion horse racing is clean? It is mind boggling.
The hype from this RCI report is similar to making the assumption that from 1992 to 2007, Bernie Madoff was running a clean investment firm.
To my knowledge, most if not all the tests were after race testing. Actually, the RCI could have even used this as more propaganda, by stating that winners and usually another horse in every race is tested, and using this logic, and the assumption that overages enhance the chance for a horse to win, it would make sense that horses that lose are less likely to have a positive.
Also, and this is a big also, to my knowledge, outside of out of competition testing by some jurisdictions, drugs like EPO, DPO, ITPP, snail venom, and cobra venom are not tested for. For a longer list and what these drugs do, check this out.
And then you have things like electric shock treatment which will not yield any positives,
tapping of joints, and hyperbaric oxygen treatments (which works the same way as milk shaking), only it is legal.
Trainers sporting 30% plus win percentages aren't clean, and they are a detriment to the game, not only when it comes to bettors confidence but when it comes to attracting new owners, and keeping current owners in the game as well.
Sorry, but horse racing deserves the rap of being a drug tainted, performance enhancement game, and the RCI report is nothing but a farce. Was the report spurned on by those who don't want lasix banned?, or was it a hokey marketing attempt to get the public to rethink their prejudices against horse racing? Either way, I'm not buying into at all.
Now For Some Good News
Charles Town
Beginning September 19th, Charles Town has decided to cut takeout on trifecta, superfecta, pick three, and pick four wagers to 22% from 25%.
Charles Town takeout wasn't relatively terrible to begin with, as they ranked 19th in takeout score according to HANA's 2011 chart. This cut will easily catapult Charles Town into the top 10, probably closer to 5th or 6th in best overall takeout score.
Back To More Mind Numbingness
There is absolutely no consistency at Woodbine when it comes to thoroughbred fair starts, refunds and disqualifications when a horse obviously opens the gate earlier than the rest of the field.
Here we go again. Watch the 6 horse, Bossman's Blues at 4-5, break from the gate. Put the video on pause at either 21 seconds or 22 seconds:
Bossman's Blues finished second. There was an inquiry, unlike the Fifty Proof debacle a while back. What do you think the result of the inquiry was?
A refund (which would have cost Woodbine quite a bit of money since he was such a heavy favorite)? A DQ from 2nd to last for having an unfair start? Or no DQ and no refund? The answer will appear at the bottom of this post.
WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH ALL THE BUMPING AT WOODBINE
I checked out the charts for Woodbine from Saturday and Sunday and saw all these "bump" comments next to the racing lines. I decided to count them. 19 in total. Oh, and one even resulted in a DQ.
Maybe they should stop playing this video in the jock's room:
Now the answer to the quiz. Obviously, no change in the order of finish was decided upon. I wonder if the stewards draw sticks or if they pick cards from a deck before making these decisions.
Showing posts with label ITPP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ITPP. Show all posts
13 September 2011
9 July 2011
Nothing Much New, Except For The HANA Ratings
Parimutuel handle down 5% in June, close to 8% for the year
Where is the bottom? Players continue to die off and they aren't being replaced. No reason for newbies to get into horse racing with its high learning curve. We need visible winners. That is what did it for poker. Sports betting and blackjack are perceived as beatable in the long term too, at least by a few lucky and smart gamblers. In other words, a carrot exists. There is no carrot in horse racing.
At least we are seeing a slight trend in reduced takeouts. It needs to be faster.
On the bright side, if you took California racing out of the equation, June's handle numbers might be close to on par with last year. I had to check, and yes, they are still racing in California. How long the track's can continue to absorb the losses thanks to the takeout hike is the big question? Don't expect honest answers though because they wouldn't admit it if they are only a few more boycotters away from going to 3 days a week.
Back in September I wrote a piece called "Is ITPP The Super Trainer's Drug Of Choice
Today?," well the drug finally made it to print in the DRF. Stan Bergstein states that money is needed to test for the drug. Here we are, 9 months after a hack blogger (me) gets wind what is happening, and there still isn't a test for this stuff.
By the time the racing industry gets off their butts, the next designer drug will come into play.
This is just too frustrating. Not only do bettors like myself shy away from races with super trainers in them, but horse owners who don't have super trainers have no chance to make money. Either cheat or go for third money. Either pay huge vet bills and supplement bills or go for fourth or fifth money.
Horse racing's high collective takeout rates already keep newbie Horseplayers away, now cheating trainers keep new horse owners away too.
HANA (Horseplayers Association of North America) has come out with their 2011 track ratings.
California tracks sunk badly, and the stats don't include this year's handle numbers which are down farther than the industry average.
Woodbine climbed up to 23rd in overall ratings, but in order to crack the top 5, takeout on supers, pick 3's, triactors, and pick 4's need to come down.
Apparently, according to Nick Eaves, they are working on a 2% reduction across the board, something Eaves stated was a priority when he took over the reigns at Woodbine last year.
Fort Erie climbed up a couple of tracks thanks to dropping their Pick 4 takeout to 14%.
Interestingly, the Fort Erie takeout drop was mentioned in a recent Blood Horse article about what Ohio needs to do now that they have slots:
CIS said Ohio racing must lower takeout rates “enough so that it becomes the lowest in the region and lures new bettors.” The consultants used Fort Erie Racetrack & Slots in Canada as an example, noting a reduction in the pick four takeout from 26.2% to 14% generated a 59% increase in handle in the first two weeks.
Controversy At Woodbine Yesterday
In the fourth race, the first leg of the Pick 4, the favorite 1A Kiama out broke the gate yesterday. She overcame the weird start to win the race. However, the Stewards (flipped a coin?) and decided that it was an unfair start, so they issued a refund. Well, except for those holding Pick 4 or Pick 3 tickets. They wound up with the new favorite, who didn't wind up as the official winner.
The problem is of course, that this looks like the exact situation that occurred last year when Fifty Proof broke through the gate and was allowed to keep the victory (in fact, there wasn't even an Inquiry).
Here is yesterday's race:
It would nice for bettors to have just a little consistency.
Where is the bottom? Players continue to die off and they aren't being replaced. No reason for newbies to get into horse racing with its high learning curve. We need visible winners. That is what did it for poker. Sports betting and blackjack are perceived as beatable in the long term too, at least by a few lucky and smart gamblers. In other words, a carrot exists. There is no carrot in horse racing.
At least we are seeing a slight trend in reduced takeouts. It needs to be faster.
On the bright side, if you took California racing out of the equation, June's handle numbers might be close to on par with last year. I had to check, and yes, they are still racing in California. How long the track's can continue to absorb the losses thanks to the takeout hike is the big question? Don't expect honest answers though because they wouldn't admit it if they are only a few more boycotters away from going to 3 days a week.
Back in September I wrote a piece called "Is ITPP The Super Trainer's Drug Of Choice
Today?," well the drug finally made it to print in the DRF. Stan Bergstein states that money is needed to test for the drug. Here we are, 9 months after a hack blogger (me) gets wind what is happening, and there still isn't a test for this stuff.
By the time the racing industry gets off their butts, the next designer drug will come into play.
This is just too frustrating. Not only do bettors like myself shy away from races with super trainers in them, but horse owners who don't have super trainers have no chance to make money. Either cheat or go for third money. Either pay huge vet bills and supplement bills or go for fourth or fifth money.
Horse racing's high collective takeout rates already keep newbie Horseplayers away, now cheating trainers keep new horse owners away too.
HANA (Horseplayers Association of North America) has come out with their 2011 track ratings.
California tracks sunk badly, and the stats don't include this year's handle numbers which are down farther than the industry average.
Woodbine climbed up to 23rd in overall ratings, but in order to crack the top 5, takeout on supers, pick 3's, triactors, and pick 4's need to come down.
Apparently, according to Nick Eaves, they are working on a 2% reduction across the board, something Eaves stated was a priority when he took over the reigns at Woodbine last year.
Fort Erie climbed up a couple of tracks thanks to dropping their Pick 4 takeout to 14%.
Interestingly, the Fort Erie takeout drop was mentioned in a recent Blood Horse article about what Ohio needs to do now that they have slots:
CIS said Ohio racing must lower takeout rates “enough so that it becomes the lowest in the region and lures new bettors.” The consultants used Fort Erie Racetrack & Slots in Canada as an example, noting a reduction in the pick four takeout from 26.2% to 14% generated a 59% increase in handle in the first two weeks.
Controversy At Woodbine Yesterday
In the fourth race, the first leg of the Pick 4, the favorite 1A Kiama out broke the gate yesterday. She overcame the weird start to win the race. However, the Stewards (flipped a coin?) and decided that it was an unfair start, so they issued a refund. Well, except for those holding Pick 4 or Pick 3 tickets. They wound up with the new favorite, who didn't wind up as the official winner.
The problem is of course, that this looks like the exact situation that occurred last year when Fifty Proof broke through the gate and was allowed to keep the victory (in fact, there wasn't even an Inquiry).
Here is yesterday's race:
It would nice for bettors to have just a little consistency.
5 November 2010
Go Zenyatta Go, But Not With My Money
I will be rooting for Zenyatta to make it 20 for 20, but I don't think she has a hope in H-E-Double Hockey sticks. For the record, I didn't like her last year either. But this year she running against the top male horses on a dirt track.
She looks like she is at least 5 lengths inferior to Quality Road and my second choice, long shot Musket Man.
But I really want to see her win. She is great for the game.
My main concern is that lightning fast tracks can really hurt horses that try. I don't doubt Mike Smith when he says she has yet to have had to go 100%. Tomorrow will be different. I just hope her heart and desire to win doesn't turn into a serious injury.
I'll be torn if the horses I bet on are running one two with a sixteenth to go and Zenyatta is making her usual move. I actually think I will rooting for Zenyatta in this case.
I handicapped the entire Breeders' Cup for today and tomorrow. You can see my picks as well as those from fellow Thoroughbred Blogger's Alliance members here.
Drugs are in the news again. Here is a New York Times article At Breeders’ Cup, a Volatile Mix of Speed and Drugs Check out the chart in the left hand corner. Jamie Ness leads all top money winning trainers in the starts per medical violation category.
In what is hopefully a positive move, The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) has a list of recommended thresholds and withdrawal guidelines for numerous drugs that are commonly used. It would be great for the game if every jurisdiction is on the same page.
There is an in depth article on undetectable drugs over at Standardbred Canada. ITPP is mentioned. I did a piece on this drug recently.
The horse racing industry should be ashamed of themselves as handle for 2010 now looks like it will drop to 1996 levels. We've seen a handful of tracks recently doing something about it as they try to compete by lowering takeout on at least one of their betting items, but what is needed is a cut everywhere in takeout. Racing is a great game, but there needs to be visible long term winners for the masses to be attracted to it.
CANADIAN BREEDERS' CUP BETTORS BEWARE
HANA (The Horseplayers Association Of North America) is pissed at Woodbine, and rightfully so. There practice of skimming some of the winnings of their customers on low takeout triactors, superfectors and Pick 3's needs to stop.
Tom Says:
I actually have faith that the new regime under Nick Eaves will abolish this practice soon.
Speaking of tracks trying. Western Fair has reduced their Pick 4 wagers track takeout to 15% starting today.
Zenyatta on 60 Minutes. In case you missed it:
HT Standardbred Canada
She looks like she is at least 5 lengths inferior to Quality Road and my second choice, long shot Musket Man.
But I really want to see her win. She is great for the game.
My main concern is that lightning fast tracks can really hurt horses that try. I don't doubt Mike Smith when he says she has yet to have had to go 100%. Tomorrow will be different. I just hope her heart and desire to win doesn't turn into a serious injury.
I'll be torn if the horses I bet on are running one two with a sixteenth to go and Zenyatta is making her usual move. I actually think I will rooting for Zenyatta in this case.
I handicapped the entire Breeders' Cup for today and tomorrow. You can see my picks as well as those from fellow Thoroughbred Blogger's Alliance members here.
Drugs are in the news again. Here is a New York Times article At Breeders’ Cup, a Volatile Mix of Speed and Drugs Check out the chart in the left hand corner. Jamie Ness leads all top money winning trainers in the starts per medical violation category.
In what is hopefully a positive move, The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) has a list of recommended thresholds and withdrawal guidelines for numerous drugs that are commonly used. It would be great for the game if every jurisdiction is on the same page.
There is an in depth article on undetectable drugs over at Standardbred Canada. ITPP is mentioned. I did a piece on this drug recently.
The horse racing industry should be ashamed of themselves as handle for 2010 now looks like it will drop to 1996 levels. We've seen a handful of tracks recently doing something about it as they try to compete by lowering takeout on at least one of their betting items, but what is needed is a cut everywhere in takeout. Racing is a great game, but there needs to be visible long term winners for the masses to be attracted to it.
CANADIAN BREEDERS' CUP BETTORS BEWARE
HANA (The Horseplayers Association Of North America) is pissed at Woodbine, and rightfully so. There practice of skimming some of the winnings of their customers on low takeout triactors, superfectors and Pick 3's needs to stop.
Tom Says:
Just to get this straight. A bettor makes a wager on a Churchill Downs races and cashes. The money bet actually goes into the pool, and Churchill pays Woodbine based on real track odds. Woodbine keeps some of it and gives the rest to the customer.
Can't Woodbine see how wrong this is? What about the Canadian government? This just isn't right.
I actually have faith that the new regime under Nick Eaves will abolish this practice soon.
Speaking of tracks trying. Western Fair has reduced their Pick 4 wagers track takeout to 15% starting today.
Zenyatta on 60 Minutes. In case you missed it:
HT Standardbred Canada
16 September 2010
Is ITPP The Super Trainer's Drug Of Choice Today?
Andrew Cohen a columnist for Harnesslink has left best for last. His last regular column is all about a fairly new drug that is not being tested for by any jurisdiction in North America called ITPP, which is short for Myo-inositol-trispyrophosphate (NormOxys).
According to Cohen, the drug, developed in France in 2005, "makes the hemoglobin in blood release more of its oxygen, enhancing physical performance in a swift and powerful way."
This probably explains why certain trainers have unusually high win percentages. The horses that race for super trainers run out of their skin often, putting up very fast times in relation to their class. Another thing that I've observed is the ability for super trainer's horses to rebreak in the stretch, even on the poly track where the average horse has only one real run.
Cohen asks, what now? That is a great question. If I was a trainer or owner, I'd be tempted now to buy some of this stuff and try to even the playing field. There is nothing in the article about ITPP being harmful to a horse. In fact, it might be beneficial.
and
One choice is to make the drug legal, something I doubt racing commission's would even consider. The other alternative is to create a test for this drug as soon as possible, and in the meantime, levy huge fines and suspensions for anyone caught using this drug or possessing it at the track or at a farm or training center.
Do I feel better knowing that there is possible solution has been found out for why super trainers exist? Yes. But it does nothing for my confidence when it comes to betting horses. One good thing about this is that reality deniers and cheaters can stop with the BS excuse "the horses are spotted well."
The second biggest problem (takeout is number one by a country mile) horse racing has is drugs. Unfortunately, like with EPO and DPO, super trainers can get away with using them for years, and when a test is finally discovered, many have moved on to the next undetectable drug.
The real solution is to have a limited list of drugs that horses can use (all other drugs would be considered illegal). Most importantly, fines and suspension need to be extremely high, and if only possible jail time could be added to the equation (it is all about defrauding the public), maybe that would enough deterrent so that potential cheaters wouldn't cheat anymore.
WOODBINE'S WEBSITE HAS PHOTO FINISH PICTURES
Well at least some of the extra money Woodbine takes from winning bettors on certain exotic bets with low takeouts doesn't go to complete waste. They have spent some dough on their new website to make it more customer friendly. Now you can see how badly you beaten in a photo at Woodbine.
TRACKMASTER WINS TIOGA HANDICAPPING COMPETITION
TrackMaster may just have the most superior past performances of the Big 3 (DRF, TrackMaster and Brisnet). As I mentioned in another post, they have a product that give actual speed figures for harness racing, and apparently they are very accurate.
Personally, just over a month and a half ago I switched from Brisnet to TrackMaster Premium Past Performances for thoroughbreds (I'm an pen and paper handicapper), and I've seen a huge improvement when it comes to cashing tickets.
Check out what TrackMaster has to offer.
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According to Cohen, the drug, developed in France in 2005, "makes the hemoglobin in blood release more of its oxygen, enhancing physical performance in a swift and powerful way."
This probably explains why certain trainers have unusually high win percentages. The horses that race for super trainers run out of their skin often, putting up very fast times in relation to their class. Another thing that I've observed is the ability for super trainer's horses to rebreak in the stretch, even on the poly track where the average horse has only one real run.
Cohen asks, what now? That is a great question. If I was a trainer or owner, I'd be tempted now to buy some of this stuff and try to even the playing field. There is nothing in the article about ITPP being harmful to a horse. In fact, it might be beneficial.
This new class of drugs can be potentially developed in a broad range of clinical indications where therapeutic benefit can be obtained through an increased, regulated delivery of oxygen to hypoxic tissue. Potential clinical indications include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, anemia, stroke and diabetic retinopathy. NormOxys’ lead compound, OXY111A, is currently in Phase I clinical trials.
and
When given by direct injection to mice with damaged hearts in a recent experiment, it turned these couch potato mice into treadmill lovers - exercise levels rose 60%.
According to Jean-Marie Lehn of the University of Strasbourg in France, hemoglobin only releases about 25% of its oxygen during one trip through the body. But when ITPP binds to hemoglobin, it releases 35% more than usual.
One choice is to make the drug legal, something I doubt racing commission's would even consider. The other alternative is to create a test for this drug as soon as possible, and in the meantime, levy huge fines and suspensions for anyone caught using this drug or possessing it at the track or at a farm or training center.
Do I feel better knowing that there is possible solution has been found out for why super trainers exist? Yes. But it does nothing for my confidence when it comes to betting horses. One good thing about this is that reality deniers and cheaters can stop with the BS excuse "the horses are spotted well."
The second biggest problem (takeout is number one by a country mile) horse racing has is drugs. Unfortunately, like with EPO and DPO, super trainers can get away with using them for years, and when a test is finally discovered, many have moved on to the next undetectable drug.
The real solution is to have a limited list of drugs that horses can use (all other drugs would be considered illegal). Most importantly, fines and suspension need to be extremely high, and if only possible jail time could be added to the equation (it is all about defrauding the public), maybe that would enough deterrent so that potential cheaters wouldn't cheat anymore.
WOODBINE'S WEBSITE HAS PHOTO FINISH PICTURES
Well at least some of the extra money Woodbine takes from winning bettors on certain exotic bets with low takeouts doesn't go to complete waste. They have spent some dough on their new website to make it more customer friendly. Now you can see how badly you beaten in a photo at Woodbine.
TRACKMASTER WINS TIOGA HANDICAPPING COMPETITION
TrackMaster may just have the most superior past performances of the Big 3 (DRF, TrackMaster and Brisnet). As I mentioned in another post, they have a product that give actual speed figures for harness racing, and apparently they are very accurate.
Personally, just over a month and a half ago I switched from Brisnet to TrackMaster Premium Past Performances for thoroughbreds (I'm an pen and paper handicapper), and I've seen a huge improvement when it comes to cashing tickets.
Check out what TrackMaster has to offer.
Advertisement
Horse racing isn't about to lower takeout collectively anytime soon. It is a good thing that many astute Horseplayers have some options.
HORSEPLAYERSBET.COM offers everyday Horseplayers industry high Player Reward Bonuses.
INTRODUCTORY OFFER FROM HORSEPLAYERSBET.COM
BET $100 GET $50 DEPOSITED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT*
*Open up an account and deposit at least $100 in total. Once you wager $100, you will get $50 deposited into your account the very next day. You will also start receiving the regular Excellent Player Reward Bonuses on anything you bet in excess of the initial $100 going forward. Note: To earn the $50 Bonus you must wager at least $100 in total within 7 days of making your initial deposit.
CLICK LOGO TO OPEN A FREE ACCOUNT
Why Horseplayersbet.com:
* GREAT PLAYER REWARDS added to your account weekly.
* User friendly betting interface making wagering easy.
* FREE LIVE VIDEOS.
* FREE RACE REPLAYS.
* Wager Online or by Phone.
* Great customer service.
* 100% Parimutuel.
* No membership or wagering fees.
* No fees on debit or credit card deposits of $100 or more.
HORSEPLAYERSBET.COM, WHERE HORSEPLAYERS COME FIRST. SIGN UP TODAY AND SEE WHY HORSEPLAYERSBET.COM IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING US BASED ADWS
Player Reward Bonuses could be the difference to you as to whether you win in the long run playing horses or lose. The better the rewards, the more of a chance you have to beat the game. Sure, you still need skill and luck as well to succeed, but at HORSEPLAYERSBET.COM at least you have a fighting chance. And one thing is for sure, your money will last longer because of the PLAYER REWARD BONUSES you receive.
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