Big Brown trainer admits giving horse steroids: report

[TZ]

BALTIMORE, Maryland (AFP) - US Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown has received regularly monthly treatments of Winstrol, an anabolic steroid banned in 10 states but not any where Triple Crown horse races are contested.

On Friday, the eve of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown's attempt to win the second leg of the treble here at the Preakness, the New York Daily News reported that trainer Rick Dutrow administers the steroid to all his horses.

"I give all my horses Winstrol on the 15th of every month," Dutrow told the newspaper. "If (authorities) say I can't use it anymore, I won't."

Winstrol, also known as Stanozolol, is legal in 28 of 38 states with horse racing - including Kentucky, Maryland and New York, where the final race in the triple crown, the Belmont Stakes, will be contested next month.

http://sports.yahoo.com/rah/news?slug=afp-racingusapreaknessbigbrownsteroids&prov=afp&type=lgns
Sigh. I shouldn't be surprised by this but..still. I am losing my enthusiasm for this TC series quite quickly.
Ironically I believe this is the same steroid that the baseball players cheat with...
:-(

[two gun sid]

1. He claims he doesn't know what Winstrol does...

doesn't see any difference in his horse's performance whether he uses it or doesn't but, he gives it to his horses on the 15th of every month. He just likes using it. He claims he has only been suspended once for dope and he hates getting beat by the trainers who cheat.

James Rowe, Sr. would be so proud.

[trumad]

2. But he's not cheating

cheating is when you break the rules and in this case, he is not.

[two gun sid]

3. You are right, Winstrol is not cheating in KY, MD, NY and...

in about 24 of 38 racing states. The points I was trying to make are that Dutrow claims he was only suspended once for cheating, which is not true, and his other claim that he hates to get beat by trainers that do cheat, which is laughable.

Good Luck to Big Brown today. I hope his connections fall and break their necks as they rush to the Winner's Circle.

[TZ]

4. just because something is legal

doesn't mean its ethical. Its the same kind of thing that some of the baseball players said..that steroids and HGH weren't illegal in baseball at the time so it wasn't "cheating". Splitting hairs if you ask me.

[trumad]

5. I'm not defending this guy because his claims are indeed laughable

but again..... it's legal.

[joeybee12]

6. Anyone know if this guy isn't alone?

His very casual comments make me believe lots of other trainers are doing this, it's just that no one has come out and said so publicly.

[TZ]

7. Probably

Since its legal in Maryland, Kentucky and New York, three big racing states I imagine this is common behavior.*sigh*
The article does say that the reason why 10 states ban it is because of abuse and overuse of something that was supposed to be therapeutic only.

[joeybee12]

8. That's my guess as well....

...and what bothers me is not so much the cheating (which does suck, of course), but that it can't be good for the horse's health.

[two gun sid]

9. Steroid tests on Eight Belles negative

From Thoroughbred Times:

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/Steroid-tests-on-Eight-Belles-negative.aspx

[Forkboy]

10. Time for an asterisk.

:hide:

[aaronbees]

11. Ummm, no...

Until he tests positive for a banned substance, I don't think so. I can't stand Dutrow and his medicinal ways, but this is Big Brown's ability talking on the track unless proven otherwise.