Vodka?

[Diane]

Trainer Raley is suspended for his employee having a syringe (with needle) containing vodka in a receiving barn. Somebody enlighten me as to the effects and their intent here? Thanks

[justinnich]

I have heard people say they needed alcohol straight into their bloodstream once in a while...maybe taking the expression too literally? (sorry, couldn't resist)

[Barn 31 T-breds]

Some trainers will give a nervous horse up to 50cc of vodka in order to calm them down before a race.

It is strictly illegal, of course.

[wilf]

Actually I think that the offence is just being in possesion of the needle and syringe as vodka is commonly used this way.

[Barn 31 T-breds]

Lasix is the only substance which can be legally administered on race day in NJ.

If you want to apply vodka topically, you could probably do that, but I surely wouldn't expect a high degree of efficacy using that method.

If you took 50cc of vodka and tried to pump it down a horse's throat in a dose syringe (not an illegal implement, per se), that would be illegal, too, not to mention ill advised.

Possession of hypodermic syringes is illegal everywhere, as far as I know....

[griff]

I agree with Wilf.. It's the possition of a needle and syring anywhere on the back side that is the offecse; not the vodka..

only Vets , or maybe their approinted help, are allowed to give shots in the receiving barn or anywhere else on the back side.. if you want to juce your horse up you need to do it before you haul him to the track.

griff

[hpkingjr]

50 cc's of vodka is basically one shot. The standard shot glass holds 1 and 1/2 ozs. of liquor or 45 cc's. How anyone could think that one shot of vodka would have any calming effect on an animal that weighs 6 times the average person is interesting. If memory serves me, my average date in college could drink four or five drinks and was still a worthy opponent, possessed of all her wiles and wits.

One drink? Just stupid.

[winds]

Now that was funny!

winds

[Barn 31 T-breds]

I agree with Wilf.. It's the possition of a needle and syring anywhere on the back side that is the offecse; not the vodka..
griff

From Thoroughbred Times:

Kentucky trainer Raley suspended for one year

Kentucky stewards have suspended trainer Jeff Raley for one year after one of his employees was observed with a syringe containing vodka in the receiving barn at Turfway Park on February 28.

Raley was there with the employee, Richard Lawson, and the filly Spontaneous Diva, who was entered to race approximately 40 minutes later in the fifth race.

The stewards scratched Spontaneous Diva. Ethanol alcohol, a metabolite of vodka, falls under the Class 2 drug and Class A penalty classifications.

Um, it was the vodka. That's a fact, not an opinion.

[Barn 31 T-breds]

50 cc's of vodka is basically one shot. The standard shot glass holds 1 and 1/2 ozs. of liquor or 45 cc's. How anyone could think that one shot of vodka would have any calming effect on an animal that weighs 6 times the average person is interesting. If memory serves me, my average date in college could drink four or five drinks and was still a worthy opponent, possessed of all her wiles and wits.

One drink? Just stupid.

Apparently the college drunks you went out with had a much higher tolerance to alcohol than the average thoroughbred racehorse.

The standard dose is 50cc, IV, just before going to the paddock.

Now, if you had used your head, maybe you could have gotten your college dates to let you inject them IV, thereby circumventing the digestive system and liver, and going straight to the brain.

Wasting $30 plying a college girl with drinks? Just stupid.

[wilf]

Plying a college girl with vodka ,$30. Caught with a syringe of vodka in the recieving barn .........PRICELESS!!

[bdw0617]

you guys are assuming the vodka was for the horse..

jello shots my friend.

[hpkingjr]

Some trainers will give a nervous horse up to 50cc of vodka in order to calm them down before a race.

It is strictly illegal, of course.

Why not use grain alcohol at 190 proof say 20-21 cc's? Why fool with such a large volume and syringe? Much easier to hide a small syringe and needle. Maybe they need a new protocol. Are they brand loyal in New Jersey? Popov's?

My understanding of alcohol metabolism is that the liver breaks it down no matter the route of administrationand that the depressant effect on the brain only occurs at that point. I do not believe that non-metabolized ethanol directly affects the brain to calm the horse.

[Barn 31 T-breds]

Apparently those who use it believe otherwise.

And they actually train horses, not theorize about them.

[hpkingjr]

Apparently those who use it believe otherwise.

And they actually train horses, not theorize about them.

Who be "they"? Are you implyng that many NJ trainers are cheating? And vodka is the best they can do?