Business As Usual

[KBEquine]

[QUOTE=DickHertz;4559389]
I think it’s worth pointing out that the rash of breakdowns have stopped in the past few weeks. I would love to believe that someone at that operation decided to get a conscience, but there was some heat put on them by the powers that be which likely contributed to the madness stopping.

Now Deshawn Parker is riding first call for Gill at Penn. Ahh, the allure of making $10k a week, I guess, far exceeds the downside to possibly laying in a casket or sitting in a wheelchair. Otero getting fired from Gill was probably a blessing for him.[/QUOTE]

Results of last night’s race -

“LION’S PRIDE went lame while dueling on the turn and the jockey fell off.”

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/PEN121809USA5.pdf

We watched it on TV - the weird part was not seeing any reason for Parker to fall off - probably means we just missed something. Still, it was weird.

[DickHertz]

The comment was kind. The horse broke a leg and ran on for a 5/16 before being caught. Horse was euthanized. Gill had another one last night who returned lame. Hopefully, there won’t be another rash of breakdowns.

As for Parker, poor move on his part. He could be a top 3 rider at Penn without riding for Gill. Many people won’t ride him now because Gill has so many horses you never know if you can get him or not.

[retento]

Does anyone here remember a horse named Lusty Latin? I have no connection to the horse other than watching him in a 2002 Kentucky Derby prep race and found him striking enough to remember his name. He raced in War Emblem’s 2002 Kentucky Derby, finished 15th, ran in some more stakes races then was claimed in 2003 by Mr. Gill. The horse didn’t have any type of stellar career but he raced 50 times, gradually going down the levels. From his Equibase page it looks like Mr. Gill was the owner in 2008 when LL raced last and it looks like he finished his last race. I am simply curious to know how would one go about finding out if the horse is still alive and where he ended up?

[tbracer65]

[QUOTE=DickHertz;4565584]
The comment was kind. The horse broke a leg and ran on for a 5/16 before being caught. Horse was euthanized. Gill had another one last night who returned lame. Hopefully, there won’t be another rash of breakdowns.

As for Parker, poor move on his part. He could be a top 3 rider at Penn without riding for Gill. Many people won’t ride him now because Gill has so many horses you never know if you can get him or not.[/QUOTE]

TVG announced Parker heading to New York with England as agent so hopefully he makes it safe at Penn till he heads to New York.

[DickHertz]

[QUOTE=tbracer65;4565997]
TVG announced Parker heading to New York with England as agent so hopefully he makes it safe at Penn till he heads to New York.[/QUOTE]

Those were erroneous reports. He’s not going to New York.

[Barnfairy]

@tbracer65;4565997

TVG announced Parker heading to New York…

I actually heard the same thing about a week ago from someone he’s ridden for. I don’t know whether or not he’s still going now but the plan did exist at some point. shrugs

[DickHertz]

[QUOTE=Barnfairy;4566247]
I actually heard the same thing about a week ago from someone he’s ridden for. I don’t know whether or not he’s still going now but the plan did exist at some point. shrugs[/QUOTE]

From my sources, which I believe to be extremely credible, the plan existed in Englander’s mind, but not Parker’s.

[NoBSshoer]

Hey Dickie,
You hear about Gill’s driver and groom getting caught bringing snake venom into the backside with a horse a few weeks ago?

Although the trainer by law should have rightfully been responsible, PHRC allowed blame to be placed on driver and groom. Surprised you weren’t shouting it from the rooftops around here:confused:

Sometimes I think you don’t like that guy :lol:

[Jessi_P]

[QUOTE=DickHertz;4567208]
From my sources, which I believe to be extremely credible, the plan existed in Englander’s mind, but not Parker’s.[/QUOTE]

Yeah. In a nutshell.

[DickHertz]

[QUOTE=NoBSshoer;4567263]
Hey Dickie,
You hear about Gill’s driver and groom getting caught bringing snake venom into the backside with a horse a few weeks ago?

Although the trainer by law should have rightfully been responsible, PHRC allowed blame to be placed on driver and groom. Surprised you weren’t shouting it from the rooftops around here:confused:

Sometimes I think you don’t like that guy :lol:[/QUOTE]

It wasn’t snake venom, it was alleged to be Lasix and Needles, and since it was hearsay, I didn’t put it on the board.

[NoBSshoer]

[QUOTE=DickHertz;4567654]
It wasn’t snake venom, it was alleged to be Lasix and Needles, and since it was hearsay, I didn’t put it on the board.[/QUOTE]
T’wasn’t hearsay being as that Staties were there chasing people around backside and arrests were made. That’s certainly newsworthy

[Equinoxfox]

YOU KNOW

;)FIRST and foremost let me start by saying I am NOT a race fan by any means. Just a general horse lover.
SECOND I applaud and commend all comments from " Dickhertz, Jessie, and Laurierace" . I take everything they say and tell me very seriously and I wish there were more trainers like those guys out there.
THIRD I am in disgust and appaulded at what you are telling me is going on at that track. I can not believe that this kind of behavior or way of doing business is accepted and nothing is being done about it .
I wish there was something we could do to get people like this " Gill" guy shut down and out of business.
Hey how about we strap him down and cut his _ _ _ _ _ off without any painkillers. make him suffer like he is doing to those poor horses. What a IDIOT …:mad:

[tbracer65]

[QUOTE=Barnfairy;4566247]
I actually heard the same thing about a week ago from someone he’s ridden for. I don’t know whether or not he’s still going now but the plan did exist at some point. shrugs[/QUOTE]

Yeah…TVG announced it so I went & asked one of Parkers friends…who confirmed. Maybe plans changed – who knows? Would be better if he did go to New York – might be safer:no:

[NoBSshoer]

[QUOTE=Equinoxfox;4569158]
;)FIRST and foremost let me start by saying I am NOT a race fan by any means. Just a general horse lover. [/QUOTE] Is nothing wrong with the sport of racing per se. Give it a chance you might take a liking to it. The horse industry is extremely fragmented. Different factions like to cast stones at each other. I guarantee you we could find things every bit as disgusting on the show circuit or anywhere else horses and people gather.

SECOND I applaud and commend all comments from " Dickhertz, Jessie, and Laurierace" . I take everything they say and tell me very seriously and I wish there were more trainers like those guys out there.

And what makes you believe there are not?

THIRD I am in disgust and appaulded at what you are telling me is going on at that track. I can not believe that this kind of behavior or way of doing business is accepted and nothing is being done about it .
I wish there was something we could do to get people like this " Gill" guy shut down and out of business.
Hey how about we strap him down and cut his _ _ _ _ _ off without any painkillers. make him suffer like he is doing to those poor horses. What a IDIOT …:mad:

Try to bear in mind that it is not a complete snake pit. There are a few decent people left on the backside. Guys like that are a problem created by track management avarice. Unfortunately doing nothing about it is much like not exterminating bugs for the lame reason that you’ll never get them all. If you don’t make an effort you’ll soon find yourself overwhelmed. This is what’s happening there and at similar gyp tracks.

Their failure to enforce rules creates a problem not unlike Frank Serpico saw in the NYPD. He said “about 10% are totally bad. and about 10% are completely good. The other 80% really wish they could be good.” This is pretty accurately what’s going on in racing.

[DickHertz]

I’m not holding my breath that any tracks in PA will ban the guy any time soon. I think there’s probably a better chance that his mortgage business - which has been scrutinized several times in the past - would go under which would preclude him from losing money with his hobby.

As I said before, I do not have a problem with the people who are like Gill - those that claim and own a ton of horses - my issue is with the “win at all cost” mentality associated with it and the shear lack of regard for the lives, human and equine, placed at risk so that Gill can add another win to his tally.

[Jessi_P]

The thing is, you hear the scintillating stuff as gossip (which is basically what this place COTH is, a place to share and exchange news, events, rumors and goings on). Nobody hears about the benign normal stuff because it’s just not as newsworthy. Its sensationalism, plain and simple.

For example:

GASP “DID YOU HEAR that…???”

“Did you hear that…The children’s christmas party put on by the HBPA and the track chaplain this past Saturday was lovely, with lunch, cake and gifts for all even tho Santa got snowed in and Elf Liz doled out the pressies.”

vs

“Did you hear that…Michael Gill got busted again - this time for SNAKE VENOM!!”

Which is more newsworthy/ repeatable? The latter, of course.

[foundationmare]

Jessi, you’re so right! My grands were at that party!

[Jessi_P]

Oh really!! Make sure to PM me with names - there weren’t too many people there because of the slick as heck roads, probably 35 ppl or less, so I am sure to have seen them. I love seeing the little ones all decked out for the holidays.

Here are my two with Elf Liz: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3218840&l=322f460047&id=607138338

[EightBelles134]

i too am wondering whats been up with Lusty Latin…he’s been a favorite of mine for awhile…has anyone heard anything about that horse?

[NoBSshoer]

@DickHertz;4569331

I’m not holding my breath that any tracks in PA will ban the guy any time soon. I think there’s probably a better chance that his mortgage business - which has been scrutinized several times in the past - would go under which would preclude him from losing money with his hobby.

Is my understanding that he’s been indicted for over 30 counts of mortgage fraud up in his home town of Boston. Of course with plenty of money to fight with, things like that can drag on for years but if the authorities can get a conviction that should get rid of him once and for all.