racingmeridian.com

Englishman John Gosden, speaking to English monthly The Pacemaker, dropped a bombshell while discussing his years employed as a thoroughbred trainer on the American West Coast. The handler of 2009 Breeders Classic winner Ravens Pass stated a certain trainer, who had his charges decked out in white bridles, had his horses so hepped up on ‘roids that the fillies would attempt to mount the males! The stables runners looked like “prizefighters” and you were careful to “get out of their way”. Immediately I knew the comment referred to legendary conditioner D Wayne Lukas, who apparently found his inspiration in the slush of a juice tipped syringe. Steroids were technically not illegal, this is horse racing after all, but the charges are evidence of Lukas’s capacity to push the envelope, long term consequences for sport and horse be damned, in an attempt to find an edge. Remember him turning Charismatic from a 32k claimer into a Kentucky Derby winner? Or how about snagging the 1999 Breeders Cup with the hopeless Cat Thief? The revelations are certainly casting Lukas in a new light. With the ban on steroids now pretty much prevalent in every major racing jurisdiction, there are hopes that 2009 could be the “cleanest” year American racing has known since, well, way back…the racing blogs and chat rooms are burning up with incendiary verbiage as Gosden’s comments allows us, to a degree, to quantify the benefits of steroids on the thoroughbred. It appears this is going to change our evaluation of many esteemed competitors. Most blatantly, please discuss Big Brown on the magic, and the same runner after trainer Rick Dutrow terminated the injections. Or chat about the whispers which promulgated the Kentucky breeders belief that the regimen of juice left champion Cigar infertile. Many trainers, who ran their stable steroid free, appear now to have been at a monumental disadvantage. Consider; this years Breeders Cup (or, excuse me, World Thoroughbred Championships) were run without roids and the Europeans had unprecedented success, including a sweep of the top two spots in the Classic…and surely these revelations will pull Steve Asmussen into a harsh, interrogative light. His animals run “crazy mad”, and the rumours around Americas leading trainer in 2009 have always suggested something was amiss in his famously “closed” shop…anecdotal evidence relates that fillies and mares were not able to identify Lukas’s Derby winner Winning Colours as a female, but would instead be “teased” in her presence…interesting bit on Jens Thorough Blog today; ex Leaf Jason Allison now operates the breeding operation at Norse Ridge Farm in King City, Ontario…the Manny Pacquiao - Ricky Hatton fight is currently “off”. Both fighters are manoeuvring to land a lucrative match with the broke Floyd Mayweather.  Pacquiao - Hatton is a high risk venture for both camps while a rusty former champ has them salivating…the fight I would encourage is Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather. The winner could then glide into another superfight with Miguel Cotto, after he roundly spanks Antonio Margarito in their June rematch…how awkward for the New York Jets as they grope around the detritus that is Brett Favre, trying to come to an understanding if the shambolic gunslinger will return in 2009…LaDainian Tomlinson will be asked to take a pay cut by the San Diego Chargers. We’ll see now if the washed up running back is sincere in his oft stated desire to remain a Bolt…big props to Bob McCowan and The Fan for landing Tom Brady for an entertaining 20 minute chat yesterday. Asked to comment on the injury which scuttled his 2009 season, Brady replied, “Shit happens…”…Olympiakos, a Greek professional team, have reportedly contacted the New York Knicks about acquiring Stephan Marbury. The Starman is still fervently hoping for a chance to roll for the Boston Celtics but it appears the Knicks are not anxious to make the malcontents dreams come true…Shawn Marion played only eight minutes last night for the Miami Heat. Marion, rumoured to be T O bound, is another disaster in waiting for the cursed Toronto franchise. It appears hanging on to Jermaine O’Neil, and letting his contract expire after the 2010 season, may be the most expeditious route for a team that will have to replace Chris Bosh during that tumultuous off season…Martin Gerber will apparently be placed on waivers tomorrow by the Ottawa Senators. The goalie has become redundant with the emergence of a bonafide prospect, Brian Elliot, in the nation’s capital…does this make sense? Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo, winless in three games since returning from a two month injury sabbatical, intends to play in the all star game. Wouldn’t it be time better spent relaxing that shabby groin, or, y’know, golfing with Canuck superstar Mats Seldom…Martin Brodeur is on pace for an early March return to the New Jersey Devils…