Mullins and the Little Syringe That Could

Heidilady · Postby **Heidilady** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:58 pm

I didn't see a thread for this, sorry if it's a repeat but I looked. I'd just like to nominate Paragallo and Mullins for Bonehead of the Month. Anybody got a 3rd nominee? For your viewing pleasure, many sources of info for the Jeff Mullins drama:

NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/sport ... thersports

TB Times: http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing ... -barn.aspx

LA Times http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_ ... rules.html

Bloodhorse: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... st-mistake

For those that don't know, Mullins got busted for a syringe in the detention barn before the Bay Shore, resulting in the scratch of Gato Go Win. He is trying to say he had a syringe in full view of the NYRA guys at the detention barn (sorry you couldn't hear just now but I coughed "bullS@#%" into my hand) so it's ok he thought. It's supposedly the equivalent of Vicks from what others have told me, but that's not the point, even if it's his grandma's chicken soup, he's not allowed to bring it in, which you, me, and my invisible monkey named George all know.

He flat out said he would've given it to I Want Revenge later if he'd gotten away with it this time (since, it's implied, he wouldn't have known it wasn't ok). He claims it was out in the open (probably not, they search everyone but not, I hear, your person and he was wearing a heavy coat. Still, does that mean they don't do the pockets? I'm not familiar with every fact of the searching process except that it's supposedly thorough.) He said he thought they saw it.. Even if they did let him in, how is that not still in violation of the rules? At best it just means the people at the barn would be fired in addition to his own punishment. Other things Jeff believes: if he doesn't get pulled over for going 80 mph in a school zone it means it wasn't illegal. IEAH doesn't have control over the trainer choice but I'm waiting for the public fit pitching.

Tiz · Postby **Tiz** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:48 pm

Geez, I'm tired of him. Is he just dumb, or is it arrogance? Seems he gets busted every six months, or so.

imnumberjuan · Postby **imnumberjuan** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:06 pm

*sigh* you know when I Want Revenge won the gotham - in the back of my mind I thought gee maybe NY isn't testing for something that they are in California...

Heidilady · Postby **Heidilady** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:29 pm

imnumberjuan wrote:*sigh* you know when I Want Revenge won the gotham - in the back of my mind I thought gee maybe NY isn't testing for something that they are in California...

I heard that the product he was carrying (it's in the article, the name escapes me) is from a company that claims their stuff won't be visible in post-race tests. I saw a quote on another message board from their website. He probably doesn't expect it will show up.

I have a sneaking suspicion that, given it showed up in the media so quickly, and that they caught him in the act essentially--and he admitted he knew he had it on him--well there's just so much evidence of a rule violation they can make a poster child of him. Provided they don't manage to let him train the horse in the Derby,etc because it'll just set the sport up as a punching bag yet again. I wonder if he has a lawyer because he's just saying so much that anyone serving as his attorney would seriously consider hitting him in the head with a foam bat to shut him up.

imnumberjuan · Postby **imnumberjuan** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:38 pm

Heidi - just picturing the pre-race show on NBC :shock:

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:54 pm

I am so tired of the claim of innocence. "Duh, I didn't know it was illegal?"
DUDE! Seriously!!! Come up with better!
Mullins is too smart to say he was unaware of the rules! It's a weak excuse for pushing the envelope in a "non California" environment. He has a long history of "bad judgement" and as such will and ought to fall under scrutiny and he should be abstaining from all appearances of wrong doing.
A "syringe" used for flushing out mouths is very different than a hypodermic used to inject IV, IM or IA. BUT if the rules say do not do it, don't.
In CA we aren't supposed to put Vick's in a nostril. He knows better. However the CHRB has yet to show a spine where is continual violation of the rules is, so no one will take note until they do.
ANY violation of the rules ought to result in an automatic 2 week suspension during which time the horses in his care are forbidden to compete. And with every infraction raise the penalty with a three strikes you and your horses are out. Kick people where it hurts and stand by it and maybe change will happen. Till then, some will continue to make a mockery of the governing bodies.
Another black eye for a well meant TC contender, it is getting old!

imnumberjuan · Postby **imnumberjuan** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:00 pm

Well put Tuc.

Sadly this type of conduct is rampant in our culture.

docjocoy · Postby **docjocoy** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:59 am

The NY Times had more on the story this morning:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/sport ... ing&st=cse

The substance was Air Power, he had a syringe, not a hypodermic, and he explained that he gave Air Power to all his horses pre-race. When asked why he gave it to his horses when they didn't have a cough, he said "Why do you put socks on with your shoes?" :shock:

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:22 am

Yes, it was an oral or dose syringe. No matter the content or how habitual it is used by Jeff, the fact remains that it was illegal in that state pre race. Rules are made, they need to be adhered to. Jeff seems incapable of following the rules, marches to the beat of his own drum knowing that the repercussions are always little to none. It is old and tired. Seeing the same guys in the headlines for sheer stupidity isn't news any more, it is an embarrassment.

Sylvie Hebert · Postby **Sylvie Hebert** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:55 am

racing industry is going the way of the Dodo...thanks to people like him...

LB · Postby LB » Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:12 am

Tucumcari wrote:ANY violation of the rules ought to result in an automatic 2 week suspension during which time the horses in his care are forbidden to compete. And with every infraction raise the penalty with a three strikes you and your horses are out. Kick people where it hurts and stand by it and maybe change will happen. Till then, some will continue to make a mockery of the governing bodies.

I totally agree.

imnumberjuan · Postby **imnumberjuan** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:15 am

If I am the owner of West Side Bernie I'd be pissed.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 1:53 pm

oliverstoned · Postby **oliverstoned** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:06 pm

IEAH is in a pickle now because the deal with I Want Revenge leaves training and jockey decisions with the original owner, so they can't just yank him from Milkshake Mullins even if they want to. It's a PR nightmare for them now.....again. In the future if they want credibility or respect they should hire a guy like Shug. Now, as for me I am more suspicious of IWR's true ability (no doubting his courage though) and will not be betting him in the Derby where there will be much more scrutiny going on. I remember how Mullins would pull a rabbit out of a hat every year in the Santa Anita Derby with some nobody and then flop in the Derby.

Strategic Maneuver · Postby **Strategic Maneuver** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:32 pm

Tucumcari wrote:Yes, it was an oral or dose syringe. No matter the content or how habitual it is used by Jeff, the fact remains that it was illegal in that state pre race. Rules are made, they need to be adhered to. Jeff seems incapable of following the rules, marches to the beat of his own drum knowing that the repercussions are always little to none. It is old and tired. Seeing the same guys in the headlines for sheer stupidity isn't news any more, it is an embarrassment.

Ain't that the truth.