Devil May Care Tribute

I know this is a little late, but I'm going to write it anyway. Devil May Care was an amazing mare overshadowed by Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra. She was one of my favorites and my pick to win the Kentucky Derby.

Devil May Care was out of Kelli's Ransom and by Malibu Moon. She was bred in Kentucky by Diamond A Racing Corp. She was sold in 2008 in the Keeneland Association September 2008 Yearling Sale for $110,000. She was also entered in the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale by did not meet her reserve price of $400,000.

Devil May Care began her racing career in 2009 as a 2-year-old. She broke her maiden at Saratoga her first time out and went on to win the G1 Frizette Stakes. In her first, and only, start over a synthetic surface, she finished 11th in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and closed out her short season.

In 2010, Devil May Care kicked off her season with a lackluster 5th in the G3 Silverbulletday Stakes. Next she headed to Gulfstream Park where she captured the G2 Bonnie Miss. She then headed to Churchill Downs where she was the only filly in the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field where she finished 10th.

After her unimpressive Derby effort, Devil May Care returned to facing the fillies and hit her best stride, winning the G1 Mother Goose and the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks. Her last start was the G1 Alabama where she finished fourth.

She was a hopeful for the 2010 G1 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic, but a diagnosis of a non-contagious form of hepatitis in October forced her to skip the race. She was on and off antibiotics and continued to carry an elevated liver enzyme count.

Devil May Care had five wins in nine starts and earned $724,000.

Devil May Care was euthanized May 4 after being diagnosed with lymphosarcoma, a form of cancer. She was four years old.

RIP Devil May Care

Dutrow Case Continued

So, if you don't know what's going on Rick Dutrow, a famous racehorse trainer, is looking at the possibility of losing his license. You may remember him as the trainer of Big Brown, the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner that made history when he finished dead last in the Belmont and was later discovered to have been on steroids. He already has a very, very long line of drug allegations trailing after him and clearly, he is not learning his lesson. If the racing industry is serious about cracking down on drug use in thoroughbreds, they need to prove it now. They need to say enough is enough and show that there are going to be consequences for not following the rules. And I don't mean the continued slaps on the wrist.

For the record, I am not jealous of Rick Dutrow's success. Success achieved in an immoral and illegal way is far worse than no success at all, in my book. He's had 64 infractions over the years, when is it time to say enough is enough?
And that's what the kid always says when he gets caught with the weed in his locker. "Oh that's not mine; I'm just holding it for a friend; someone must have put it there..." Those horses are in his barn and they're his responsibility. If they're being drugged on his watch, he should be looking into that and making sure the problem is solved.

The full story is here

One of the racing industry’s closely watched legal proceedings begins May 31 as state regulators in New York commence a hearing that could lead to the revocation of trainer Rick Dutrow’s license.

Officials with the state Racing and Wagering Board have said that Dutrow’s history of past allegations—along with two current cases against him—should lead to his ouster from the industry in the state.

But allies say the regulators are reaching too far in a case that could have implications beyond Dutrow if this week’s hearing—which begins at 1 p.m. EDT May 31 at the board’s Schenectady headquarters – convinces the full racing board to take away his license.

“Rick is looking forward to this hearing and a favorable resolution of this matter,’’ said Michael Koenig, Dutrow’s new attorney in the matter.

Koenig a day before the scheduled hearing declined to discuss the case and said Dutrow would not be available for an interview in advance of the hearing. Racing Board officials have also declined for months to comment on the specifics of the case.

Dutrow In Trouble Again

Racehorse trainer, Rick Dutrow Jr. is once again in trouble with the law.

Whole story

New York stewards suspended him for 90 days when one of his winning horses tested positive for drugs and hypodermic needles were found in his barn.

I think it's time to seriously rethink Dutrow's involvement in the sport. Does anyone else remember Big Brown? He came very close to winning the Triple Crown but his name will forever live in infamy in my mind as the champion on steroids.

According to the article, Dutrow has been sanctioned at least 64 times in nine different states since 1979. He's never shown consideration from the rules and it's obvious he's never going to start.

If the racing business is going to clean up, they're going to need to start with punishing the people who are in violation instead of just giving them a slap on the wrist.

I called for Dutrow's banning for life when Big Brown raced and I haven't changed my tune.