Deputy Indy, Mullins Talks

[spook_express]

I really liked Deputy Indy yesterday as did the TG Analysis.  Anyone hear why he was scratched?

Everyone should check out:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers6mar06,1,7991953.column?coll=la-headlines-sports&ctrack=2&cset=true

to see if they\'re an idiot or an addict.  This guy is arrogant and a jerk but he does raise some good points about conflicts of interest and unlevel playing fields that are eye-openers.

Spook



Post Edited (03-06-05 08:15)

[Saddlecloth]

He makes a good point, but here is the issue.  The vet they hire would need to be a full time vet who does not work for anyone else, what does a top vet make at the track in socal, 200k?  How can they afford that?

[beyerguy]

He may make a good point about the conflict of interest, but it doesn\'t explain why he had a positive!

Further, if he called me an idiot or an addict to my face, he\'d be picking up his teeth.  Who does this guy think he is?

[spook_express]

So here\'s a trainer admitting its not a level playing field and that milkshaking is just the tip of the iceberg to stay competitive and that bettors are stupid and/or addicted.  To level the playing field is either too expensive or just too hard to do.  CTC, I guess we won\'t be handicapping for the best horse in a race alone for quite some time or won\'t know for sure if we should be or not.

It will take a long time but it can be done.  Australia seems to have things pretty well in check.  I guess the problem in the US is the fragmented nature of the different racing product owners and lack of accountability to one group without alterior motives with just integrity in mind.

This is all very troubling to me.

Spook

[gvido]

The problem, Mullins said, \"are all the addicts and idiots crying because they lost a $2 bet,\" and then demanding a level playing field. \"It will never be a level playing field. There are a lot of things people don\'t know, and won\'t know.\"

I interrupted to suggest it\'s not fair for the members of the general public who pay $4 for parking, $5 for admission, $2 for a program, $4 for the Daily Racing Form and who think that, with a little work, they might figure out who is going to win a race. The same idiots, of course, who bet money, which accounts for the purses won by Mullins\' horses.

\"If you bet on horses, I would call you an idiot,\" said Mullins, who finished 11th nationally last year in money earned in horse racing. \"I don\'t bet; there\'s a reason they call it gambling.

Mullins needs to be ball batted three times a day and four on Sunday. He, like so many in the industry, just don\'t get it. Without us pouring the billions through the betting windows, there is no sport. There are no purses. There are no jobs. Mullins and his ilk would be hot walkers on some quiet gentlemens farm.

[razzle]

Spook, thanks for posting.  I reprinted on other board.  We may not like it, but that\'s a very \"telling\" article.  I think the Eclipse Award people should introduce a \"Jeffy\" trophy to be given to the biggest cheat, or the guy with the worst impact on the industry. Sounds like there\'d be some major competition among the big names...  raz

[Chuckles_the_Clown2]

Spook Express?......that was Skiffingtons Stakes Winner Grass Mare, was it not? He cried when he lost her. He loves his horses.

I read your link. Its just more of the same from Jeff Mullins. He needs to go from the game. Of course he doesnt gamble. He cheats. If we could cheat, we might, but if we did and got caught we\'d expect to go to jail for race fixing.

He needs to go to jail.

[spook_express]

Yes, I am a turf fan and the Spook is my all-time favorite.  Very very sad the day she broke down on the soft turf in Cali.  Skiffington hasn\'t had one like that since.  I wonder if he blames himself for running her on turf he knows she didn\'t like, he said so before the race on TVG.

Anyhow, this is quite unbelievable, both his(Mullins) attitude towards wrongdoings and the fans/bettors that keep him employed, and the fact that he continues to go on without serious reprecusions.

Nice letter, I will try to do the same.  Line JB said, its out turn to do something for the game we love.  Let the horses decided the race, not the vets.

[Chuckles_the_Clown2]

Spook, I\'ve liked Tom Skiffington since I first saw him at Hialeah. You never know these days, but I think he\'s a goood man. When a trainer mourns like that you have to suspect that he was doing right by the horse all along. She was lucky to run for him and he was lucky to have her. Maybe not too far in the future horses will once again run for their trainers fit on talent, sound principle and genuine care.

He\'ll get another and she\'ll be a fortunate runner.



Post Edited (03-06-05 16:48)

[spook_express]

Thats good to hear.  I was a fan of Tom throughout her campaign, he seemed like he was doing right by her.  I in no way blame him for her fall, but it would only be natural to second guess yourself after the fact when something like that happens knowing she didn\'t care for a soft turf course.  I have her WinStar Galaxy photo framed and up on my computer room wall (with Holy Bull and Golden Apples).  I would have her breeders cup picture up if Banks Hill didn\'t ship over for the F&M Turf.