cerveza--although it would seem pretty obvious Gill/Shuman are up to no good (sawing the leg off a horse that broke down on the track at Gulfstream?) I still cannot see how anybody/any track can deny them stalls WITHOUT ANY HARD EVIDENCE!
Hell--Gill just bought about 1/3 of the horses at a recent ocala auction! Guy is getting back into racing in a big way. Do I think there are needle artists out there? Of course! But let me ask-how many trainers send out well bred/well trained 2 year olds-and tell their jockeys 'under no circunstances push this horse-first time out i just want him to go around the track-not to win'. That could be construed as just as crooked--even though it is generally accepted as normal behavior.
Hell--Gill just bought about 1/3 of the horses at a recent ocala auction! Guy is getting back into racing in a big way. Do I think there are needle artists out there? Of course! But let me ask-how many trainers send out well bred/well trained 2 year olds-and tell their jockeys 'under no circunstances push this horse-first time out i just want him to go around the track-not to win'. That could be construed as just as crooked--even though it is generally accepted as normal behavior.
Oh, I totally agree with you Gino. But, is taking your time racing a colt into shape or using a race to prepare for a future spot really as crooked as using illegal stimulants? We have trainer stats and tendencies readily available to use when handicapping a race. If Ron McAnally rarely wins with first timers, we know to tread lightly when he is debuting a 2 yr old, no matter how strong the breeding. I think that's more the strategy of training than it is cheating. It's an intentional walk vs. a spitball. One is strategy and the other is using illegal substances. I guess it is a touchy subject - that's why I titled the thread All In Fun. Had just finished reading some things about that Gill/Shuman incident and was a little frustrated. (Not to mention 2 consecutive losing days - 3 after today)
No--I think Shuman/Gill are up to no good--there has been evidence of it in the past.....BUT...and I see this a lot from guys like Englander and Gill----if they claim a horse for 10--and run it back for 5-and they figure they can make a profit even if it gets claimed..it stands to reason you had better have that horse in your play. Now-if the same angle happens again--and the trainer is Steve DiMauro---who seldoms runs to win first off a claim-wants to see it go around and see what is wrong--I mean does that make Dimauro a crook? And what happens if Gil/Shuman don't try or don't expect a top notch effort out of their horse they have dropping down from 10 to 5k? The crowd will make their horse 6-5...but if they know he's not ready-they have a betting coup--by TOSSING their entry out! Tough question-when every horse starting from the gate is 'supposed" to be out to get the purse money. It's a tough game-that's why I always get all the info I can on trainers.
But truly-I'd love to know if Shuman got some of Barrera's old juice!
But truly-I'd love to know if Shuman got some of Barrera's old juice!
