Owner Requests Redistribution of Purse

At least one owner who had a runner in the Palomar Breeders’ Cup has asked for a redistribution of the purse after the revelation that a veterinarian falsified the winner’s bleeder medication record before the race. Had the report been submitted properly, the horse would have been scratched under CHRB rules because the medication was administered outside the allowed window of time.

Both Ingrid Fermin, CHRB Executive Director, and Mike Marten, CHRB Public Information Officer, clearly stated that the time for an appeal or protest has passed. Although, Ms. Fermin said the deadline passed 72 hours after the race, and Mr. Marten told this author in a phone conversation that the deadline ended 72 hours after the report was “released” on 2/16/2006. Regardless, the time has passed in either case.

It appears the CHRB may make an exception in this case, as Thoroughbred Times is reporting that CHRB Chairman Richard Shapiro has called for an investigation.

"If the CHRB or anyone else did anything wrong, let's find out about it, fix it, and move on," Shapiro said. "If anybody made a mistake, we want to know it. If anybody did anything unethical or improper, they should be held accountable. If we made a mistake, I'm not afraid to admit it." [Thoroughbred Times]

This is a refreshing turn-around after Ms. Fermin’s initial attempt to sweep the matter under the rug saying "It was not a good situation, but the vet was cited and fined. Any protest of the result would have had to come within 72 hours of the race, and as far as I know, this was only brought up within the last week or so," according to Thoroughbred Times.

The larger story may be, be careful what you wish for. It is well known in California racing circles that Ms. Fermin has ruffled many feathers among horsemen. Some of the initiatives and programs designed to detect or discourage rule violations that she has championed have been implemented in ways some horsemen find burdensome. Others have expressed feelings that their input was not considered when new rules or procedures were developed. The milkshake controversy and cameras on the backstretch are two oft cited examples of horsemen. Now, procedures put in place under Ms. Fermin’s leadership may be revealing not just suspect practices of vets and horsemen, but a breakdown in the CHRB itself. Whenever one endeavors to discover just how the sausage is made, there are bound to be some inadequacies revealed on all sides.