Well, we were right about Upfront Hannahsboy and Stonebridge Magnum, in the Classic (Magnum was stuck behind awful cover and flew late to be third-- it gave us a decent super, but we had a $20 1-5 exacta ticket that was paying pretty nice. Not complaining-- sometimes the trip doesn't work out--the key is that the 'capping was good.
We were wrong about Blueridge Western being vulnerable-- he raced exceptionall well. Of course, the fact that Goddess's Justin got the trip from hell didn't help us. And we were right about Western Outfitter getting a perfect trip to finish on the board (he was second, so congrats to owner Ken Bencic)

Congress had a hearing on steroids earlier this week. Not for basebalkl or football, but for horse racing. And let's be clear, it was about thoroughbred horse racing. The governent chose to ignore standardbreds, quarter horses and barrel racers for their high profile brethern. Shame on you Mr. Congressman.

Having said that, I have to admit, steroids and hormone treatments have a lot of benefit when used properly-- to treat specific injuries, not as a monthly "dietary" supplement (are you listening Mr. Dutrow?). I have been put on a number of steroids over the years, as you can tell from my incredibly muscled, perfect specimen body. Prednisone is probably the most common -- it helped me with a shoulder injury (for those of you who remember the Scioto Outrider Incident) and I ahve also had steroid injections to treat acute piriformis syndrome and a perceived low back problem which was misdiagnosed... without them I would have been in a wheelchair most of last summer. With them, I was able to function and a presentable, but not superior, level. So I am torn. Steroids have a legitimate use and many trainers use them correctly, but many others cheat. And how do you deal with out of competition testing. For me, if a horse is in revovery, say from a sesamoid injury or a bowed tendon, steroids should absolutely be legal, but we need to look at what an acceptable residual level is once he begins racing again.

I am interested inb your opinions. Post away and I will follow up beginning of next week.