Interesting piece on Big Brown, the big horse now one injection leg away from the Triple Crown. This is written by Joe Jones from PhillyBurbs.com
I was waiting in the chow line inside the Pimlico Racecourse press box on Preakness Day and overheard a conversation between two veteran and highly reputable horse-racing writers.
“If he wins the Preakness, do you want him to win the Triple Crown?” the one asked the other. “No,” the other answered...
...during a press conference, he addressed a revelation he made during NBC’s pre-Preakness broadcast that all of his horses are injected monthly with the steroid Winstrol, according to a story that appeared on bloodhorse.com.
But the comment that has me scratching my head and wondering, at least a little bit about this guy, is that he doesn’t really know what Winstrol does.
Wait a second. All your horses are injected with a steroid, which is still legal in New York where Dutrow’s horses are stabled, according to the bloodhorse.com story, and you don’t know what it does to a horse?
Dutrow explained, in the bloodhorse.com story, that he knew Winstrol brightened a horse’s coat and sometimes increased appetite. Other than that, he didn’t know and got a bit indignant after that, saying that people should be discussing the drug with veterinarians and New York racing officials and that he shouldn’t be asked such questions.
He also again said that he had no idea what the drug was used for.
Interesting observation, and true. Who alive on the planet doesn't known about anabolic steroids at this point? Why play the dunce? Why not put the horse on the stand to discuss the effects of steroids in racing, since his trainer appears fairly inept (or duplicitous)?
I can tell you a couple things from information that I’ve compiled. First, any trainer worth a grain of salt would have a vet explain to them what a drug was all about before they allowed their horse to be injected.
Second, Winstrol is an anabolic steroid that is considered a very effective muscle enhancer for humans on a few Websites that I can best describe as being dedicated to how to dramatically increase muscle mass through steroids.
Third, Dutrow was accurate when he said that horses are given it to help with their appetites. But usually only when it is an issue.
Do me a favor and leave this poor horse alone. Your ridiculous headlines make it sound as though BB was the one holding the syringe and injecting himself. God, grow up already.
Posted by: Paula Kirsch | 05/24/2008 at 09:24
Paula, maybe you should direct your anger at the trainer who is shooting the poor horse with anabolic steroids instead of the blogger who is pointing out the ludicriousness of the situation.
Posted by: vg | 05/27/2008 at 03:17