Mike Mitchell / John Sadler have 28 Steroid Positives

[DickHertz]

Wow. Can’t wait to see how their barns do when the have to “come down” from having steroids. Sadler & Mitchell should be embarrassed (but I’m sure they’re not)

From Thoroughbred times

Horses in the care of John Sadler, the leading trainer at Del Mar, have accounted for 18 of the 38 positive tests since the California Horse Racing Board began testing for anabolic steroids on July 1.

Horses trained by Mike Mitchell, who ranks second in the Del Mar standings, have accounted for ten positive steroid tests, CHRB Executive Director Kirk Breed said on Thursday.

CHRB investigators searched Sadler’s barn on Monday at Del Mar. Breed said, to his knowledge, Mitchell’s barn has not been searched.

Through Wednesday, Sadler had registered 25 wins at Del Mar, 11 more than Mitchell. Sadler has five stakes wins during the meet, including the John C. Mabee Handicap (G1) with Black Mamba (NZ). Mitchell won the Eddie Read Handicap (G1) with Monzante.

Neither Sadler nor his attorney was immediately available for comment on Thursday. Mitchell declined to comment.

Richard Shapiro, the CHRB’s chairman, reacted strongly to a report on the number of positive tests on Tuesday during a board meeting.

“We mean business,” Shapiro said. “They’re not naïve. It’s shameful that two or three people have taken an abusive approach for personal gain at the expense of the rest of the industry.”

The 38 positives have derived from 418 tests at Hollywood Park and Del Mar since the board began regulating threshold levels for the anabolic steroids boldenone, nandrolone, stanozolol, and testosterone.

The CHRB sent unofficial notices to the owners and trainers of horses who registered positive tests during July. As of August 1, positive tests have been considered official Class 4 violations. On September 4, they will become Class 3 violations, which are subject to trainer suspensions and purse redistributions.

“The truth is that it’s on somebody’s record for the month of August,” Shapiro said. “The only difference is there’s not a purse redistribution because it’s not a Class 3 until September 4.”

The CHRB said Thursday that horses treated with anabolic steroids in California will be placed on the state veterinarian’s list and ineligible to race for 30 days.

The policy will take effect Friday.

[Flash44]

Good Lord.

[Chiniko]

And… what September 4 has come and gone with the rest of the world blissfully unaware? BOTH trainers and any other who continues to use is well within their rights till that date. It is NOT illegal according to the article. Come early September, it’s a different story.
Further, horse racing is not the only part of the horse industry that implements the use of hormones.

[DickHertz]

[QUOTE=Chiniko;3466922]
And… what September 4 has come and gone with the rest of the world blissfully unaware? BOTH trainers and any other who continues to use is well within their rights till that date. It is NOT illegal according to the article. Come early September, it’s a different story.
Further, horse racing is not the only part of the horse industry that implements the use of hormones.[/QUOTE]

Just because it’s legal (right now), doesn’t make it right.

[SleepyFox]

[QUOTE=Chiniko;3466922]
And… what September 4 has come and gone with the rest of the world blissfully unaware? [/QUOTE]

Thank you! I’m not sure why this is even news. These guys just opted to push it as far as they could.

[Chiniko]

Dick I understand you live in a black and white world, BUT the CHRB created their own little gray area, that people were predictably going to exploit. If you want black and white, don’t mix the colors.

Agreed Sleepy Fox, if this were Pomona or Oak Tree this is headline news, but now, not so much.

[I_m_EBO]

Was Bo Derek ever approved for membership on the CHRB? (Our legislature has been screwing around with the budget (due in June) for months. One loses interest in their “work” after awhile.)

[Chiniko]

[QUOTE=DickHertz;3466933]
Just because it’s legal (right now), doesn’t make it right.[/QUOTE]

How is it wrong? Please explain the negative effects, and how the then level playing field has now been made incredibly lopsided. How many stallions or mares have actually (with supporting data) been sterile. I can name a number of horses I have dealt with that were treated monthly for years and managed to procreate without a problem.
I DO object to people who use it as pre race. BUT that is mostly because they are irritating to get on.
I honestly don’t have a problem with smart use of equipoise or winstrol. By tying the hands of horsemen, they will only find alternative sources of a similar nature. All it does is cause vets and horsemen to become inventive. In this case, I’d say better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.
Sorry if you find that offensive, but owners want to win races. It’s our job to do just that.
I recently did a favor for a friend and worked a horse out of the gate in company with a baby. A very clean trainer. Doesn’t use hormones or push any limits. 48 seconds later, the horse dropped dead. Shows that any horse/athlete can succumb to the effects of performance. Speed kills. That’s not news.

[Glimmerglass]

@DickHertz;3466423

Sadler & Mitchell should be embarrassed (but I’m sure they’re not)

San Diego Union-Tribune, Aug 22, “Sadler’s attorney denies allegations”

“We will be deciding whether to take (legal) action against those who have said or written things impugning his character. This is a very ethical and honorable man. He doesn’t need to be slammed when he has done nothing wrong.”

Ah the classic - ‘if you dare say a bad word about my client, we’ll sue you so stop it, now!’

[Chiniko]

That’s the thing Glimmer, the CHRB doesn’t have a leg to stand on. LEGALLY they can still utilize hormones. I’ve watched John’s operation up close and personal, he is an upstanding trainer. He doesn’t even give an ace pill. They can sue and win. There will not be a purse redistribution, or any real repercussions. They will have to not run the horse that got the overage for 30 days. Whatever. Sadler runs rarely at Pomona. Mitchell it might effect more though I’ve not watched him as closely over the years.
Look up Nitrotain. Something the “clean” trainers are implementing in their program. Hmm a daily oral steroid with a low W/D time… Not exactly shocking.

[Calamber]

What?

Chiniko, physiologically speaking, do you have a clue what you are talking about? It is scientifically proven what anaebolic steroids do to humans, do you think horses are so different, or does the “desire to win at any cost” somehow obviate all of that? Why don’t you go and visit the feed lots housing the added wreckage which all of us who care for the long term health of the horses have to deal with. This is exactly the attitude that has made the industry the embarrassment that it currently is, while not all of the problems are caused by anaebolic steroids this is a very good first step. Rationalizing it by saying that you have seen many horses who have bred successfully that have been on constant steroid use may help in the needed data that could prove that those who are “helped” along in this way and then make it to the breeding shed are the other big part of the problem. I cannot believe you would be defending this criminality. Speed does not kill, cold hearted short sighted, so called horse men and women do.

I am not some animal rights looney, I have been involved, on the ground in racing at the lower and mid levels for over 30 years off and on. I would hope that you could get on board and prove that you can train horses to compete without the added “bang for the buck”. Have you taken a look at the recent article in the Bloodhorse about the increased veterinary costs for the pre race mixtures. Have you looked at all of the anti-inflammatories that are involved? Since the use of corticosteroids have increased, there has been a concommitant increase in the use of every available anti inflammatory known to man. And to further rationalize that they will just come up with new ways of masking the pain is like saying we should not even try to stop marijuana, after all they will just go to heroin/crack or something else. Addicts do start with marijuana, just like the steroid addicts, difference is that humans can choose their method of destruction, the horses cannot.

[Chiniko]

First let me just say it’s ANABOLIC. just so we are up to date on the spelling. Sorry my Mom is an English major and spelling and grammar, etc are just one of those things I notice. Might I suggest spellcheck?
Physiologically and psychologically and physically I can say yes to all three.
I suppose I would have to ask are you aware that the amount that a human take is gigantic in comparison to what is given to horses even by the most determined trainer. I am also very aware of the various ways it is used. How variations in the administration of all hormones, oral or injectable. I know what “clean” trainers use that have anabolic properties. Knowledge is power;) ya know.
The desire to win? Do you know how many horses do not win while on anabolic? More than not. Not everyone uses them, but a majority does and it’s not the majority that is winning.
I have dealt with death, thanks. More gruesome than you will ever see on a feedlot. I’ve seen cattle slaughtered, eaten my 4H project, but no one cares when they are mistreated in a similar fashion in the same slaughter house. You can’t save everyone. Animals are put on the earth for our use and consumption. Of course I have love and compassion for the horse but also have alot of reality. I would say that if either or both Sadler and Mitchell were the majority contributor’s to breakdowns then yes, shame on them. But they aren’t. I have had the opportunity to witness both operations very closely.
You can and I do train very cleanly. But being ignorant to what you are competing with is well. ignorant. Clean can happen and does happen and shocker of all shocker it wins races. The medication thing is getting more press and uproar by people who “don’t have enough information” than it is due. You aren’t going to claim a $5,000 claimer and turn it into a millionaire just because you gave it some winstrol or bute or CO2 or lasix or use the “vet of the hour” or all of the above. Europeans have proved that for years with horses bred, raised and bought on US soil and campaigned in Europe. Nor does a good European come across the pond, add Lasix and suddenly more horse than they or Secretariat dreamed of being. Now bringing a European horse with a consistent “weakened” type of trouble line might just step up when it gets the addition of Lasix.
It’s funny not all that long ago I was walking away from a race track to do some shopping. And on the street corner were a bunch of “activists” with signs. A couple with dogs. Two very young looking dogs. It’s summer, it’s hot. They’d been standing there for quite some time. The puppies were exhausted. So I asked them as I walked by if they had water for their dogs. They are animal activists after all. Those dogs did not have shade nor did they have water. I did shame them into the admission. I hate it when people “bark” without doing right by their own pet, while somehow trying to using their pet as an “example.” Those individuals were not there long after. People LOVE to hop on a band wagon without being fully informed without knowledge. Of course there are some who are very informed. BUT they also know exactly how things are done, why and whom are the biggest offenders. THOSE are the people to be pointing a finger at.
I have a very good and thorough education. Have had guidance and access to some of the best vets around. Worked with vets, worked from hot walker to trainer. Doing everything in between. Weeded out the wheat from the chaff. In shock and dismay. Competed at some of the top meets in the US and won at a very respectable percentage. Clean. With horses that paid well over $60. Stepped horses up off of claims without the “additive” they were accustomed. I’ve won at a good clip because of horsemanship. Because I feel. Pay attention. Have a long and diverse background in horses, but racing is my passion. You want to see brutal watch a cutting horse in the training pen and see how often they come out of the training pen bleeding from the rowls on their trainer’s spurs. Exhausted. They don’t just stay in front of a cow because they are “cowy” they are shown it’s way better for them to look the cow in the eye and do their job than it is to look away from the cow. BUT that’s not as televised.
Today I passed a truck with pigs loaded on it. The odd snout pushed out the side of the rig. I thought you poor bastards, but you know I also thought how odd that that won’t cause me to stop eating pork. I like pork.
If horse were solely raised for food rather than a pet we’d feel the same way. Eat it as happily as we throw beef or chicken or any meat down our throats.
I wouldn’t eat dog, or cat, and I wouldn’t eat horse. They are “pets.” BUT they are also put to work in the discipline in which they are bred to do so. Many have great careers after racing. How many Olympians are ex race horses? A bunch on the US team had lip tattoos.
I’m more offended by people who re home horses with double bows to people who don’t know the significance of one tendon let alone two. Than I am by the medications utilized by horsemen.
We have one vet outfit that always hires students. The funny thing about people from the racetrack is that they have a load of knowledge to draw on. More than the student has. Actual veterinary practice is very different than clinical practice. They have no idea when they come out of school. I am more liable to be able to tell them what is wrong with my horse than they are, even if they see a horse regularly. But they can draw up some really good syringes… so could I if I were allowed when track side. I can find a vein better than those students that’s for darn sure… I shutter to think about one of those students doing a knee injection that’s not from the front. Frankly, I don’t want my horses to be their guinea pigs. They don’t have experience they have clinical knowledge. It’s not enough. It’s not the same.
Addicts start with marijuana? Yet another broad and wrong generalization. Do you know how many people smoke or have smoked weed and never ever have interest in going to the “hard” stuff. Jeeezus they best start to breathalyze horses too. Do you really think an addict makes a choice to be an addict it’s like saying gay people make a choice to be gay. Lord knows that’s a hot topic! Addicts don’t intend to be f*cked up. If you look at the psychology that leads to wanting to be numb to be high you’ll know that your statement is very wrong.
Before you start in on me or on a topic I do know a little about please be VERY informed. I have made a point of educating myself. Working for the worst to the Hall of Fame, Vets, etc.
I admire Mullins. I think he is making some very big mistakes as far as his career is concerned.
I admire Sadler. He runs a good show.
Mitchell gets more out of his horses without killing them than anyone who tries to do even remotely what he does. There are people I do NOT respect nor will I ever. Their brutality and the continual breakdowns slip under the radar as medication takes front and center. That’s a crime!
I do digress. I stand behind the fact that the use of anabolic have not turned Sadler or Mitchell into the greatest trainers on earth. But it has not made them bad either. They do loose more than they win. As does everyone
I’m done for the night please feel free to continue if you must.