Prior to the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes this past weekend at Maryland's Pimlico Race Course, NBC's Bob Costas had the chance to interview Barry Irwin, the head of Team Valor, which owns Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom
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Irwin had made headlines between the Derby and the Preakness after he spoke out against unscrupulous trainers and the use of illegal drugs in the industry. After his comments, he hired and ex-military officer to watch Animal Kingdom over fear of retaliation.
When Costas interviewed Irwin live before the Preakness, Irwin stated that he didn't want to discuss his controversial post-Derby comments, but that he stood by the "substance" of his comments.
Irwin then went on to say that he supports current legislation south of the border which would see the banning of racing participants after multiple drug infractions.
"I'm all for it. I can't wait," Irwin told Costas. "One thing I'd like to see happen in this sport is I'd like to see the FBI get involved."
Irwin went on to say, "There are a certain amount of guys that are always going to want to cheat. There's tons of guys out there that will sell drugs to these people but there's only a few guys that can use it and it's the same guys year-in and year-out. I'm not talking about the drugs people know everyday --- bute, lasix, all that stuff --- I'm talking designer drugs. Drugs like the BALCO guys had. We need to get the FBI to investigate that kind of stuff. Pass this legislation that's three strikes and you're out. And then root these guys out of the sport. "
To read a partial transcript of the Costas/Irwin interview, click here.
Weel the Racing Industry
Weel the Racing Industry Officials can't or won't do anything more than token policing of the "drug problem"!Maybe the FBI could!
Barry Irwin told the race
Barry Irwin told the race game what they needed to hear not what they wanted to hear and for the most part many in the race game hate that. They want these problems to be swept under the rug and pretend that they don't exist and if they bury there heads in the sand long enough perhaps magically the good old days will return. Well guess what, they won't and until the race game faces there many key issues such as illegal drugs which create an image problem and out dated takeout rates that can't compete in today's competitive gaming envoirment the game will continue to slide into oblivion. For any of you people who don't get it, Mr. Irwin did the sport a big favor by speaking out and trying to bring a key issue to the forefront where it may be dealt with.
I can't wait for the day the
I can't wait for the day the so called high % trainers get caught. Like all things in life those trainers will have there day.They must trust other people to help them and that's when they will get caught. A good friend of mine once mentioned that there will be one blood test evenually that will cover all a wider range of drugs. The cost is to high at this point but one day it will be cost effective to develope a test. Thank god WEG is always looking out to weed out these trainers. It's not fun racing against certain trainers when you don't have any chance to win. Some of these trainers that cheat won't even win by a nose they win by 5 or 6 ! Talk about rubbing it in the industrys face.
Probaly the other reason
Probaly the other reason handle is down is an owner like Irwin shouting his mouth off and attracting primetime interviews for all the wrong reasons. You have any proof evidence wrong doing let the proper authorities handle it.
Recently I was asked why I
Recently I was asked why I wouldnt use certain high percentage trainers.My comment was that if I have to rely on them to win,my next step is to leave the game.Im in favor of lifetime bans on people caught with what we might call designer drugs.Lets face it, there are lots of reasons why handle is down.This is one of the primary reasons.