Ogden Mills Phipps Urges Publicizing Medical Records of Triple Crown Horses
By JOE DRAPE
The chairman of the Jockey Club, one of horse racing’s most influential groups, called Monday for the veterinary records of every horse competing in this year’s Triple Crown races to be made public immediately. He said the goal was to ensure that the horses were sound and not under the influence of unnecessary drugs and that the races were run safely and fairly.
The club’s chairman, Ogden Mills Phipps, the owner of last year’s Kentucky Derby victor, Orb, said the Jockey Club had already endorsed federal legislation that would put the United States Anti-Doping Agency in charge of the sport, which has been unable to eradicate a pervasive drug culture.
He said it was vital, however, to take meaningful steps now that demonstrate to the public that the sport takes restoring integrity seriously.
“It can bring greater credibility to the races that define our sport at a time when millions are watching,” Phipps said in a statement, referring to the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.
Phipps also said that the trainer Steve Asmussen, who ranks second in trainers’ career victories, should not participate in the Derby. Asmussen and his top assistant, Scott Blasi, are under investigation by state and federal authorities over accusations that they subjected their horses to cruel treatments, including administering drugs for nontherapeutic purposes and having one of their jockeys use an electronic device to shock horses into running faster.
The inquiries were prompted by a four-month undercover investigation by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and included more than seven hours of hidden camera video. Asmussen’s name was removed from the Racing Hall of Fame ballot on March 21, a day before he fired Blasi, his assistant of 18 years.
“His presence and participation would indicate that it’s just ‘business as usual’ in the thoroughbred industry,” Phipps said in the statement.
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