>>> Mullins responds to charges of detention barn violation, "I think it was an oversight on their part and a mistake on my part."

POINT
>>> Moran: "The drug issue will overshadow the Derby if not the entire Triple Crown. Here we go again."
>>> West: The Mullins mess: or whatever happened to professionalism?

COUNTERPOINT
>>> Blogger responds to outcry and calls for cooler heads to prevail: Reporting of the Mullins incident should "be accurate in the details and not fan ignorance or prejudice unduly."

EQUIDAILY.COM COMMENT:

We agree with blogger Jessica Chapel -- we, as pundit, insiders, or simply fans, can't complain about racing getting bad press if we're fanning the flames. And the Mullins detention barn incident seems to be garnering more negative reaction than it perhaps deserves.

Below are shots from the Finish Line Products catalog -- makers of Air Power, the "horse cough medicine" product that Jeff Mullins was allegeding using in the detention barn at Aqueduct on Saturday. You can see that trainer Michael Matz endorses the product.

So, while pundits and the blogoshpere are painting the weekend incident as another black-eye for racing, with implications of nefarious intent -- the questions that haven't been answered are: How prevalent is the use of this product? And, is it OK for raceday use in other jurisdictions?

If other trainers use this product, and, if it's used elsewhere on raceday, then it's hard to consider this an act of "cheating" as opposed to a sloppy understanding of the rules of the detention barn -- something that certainly deserves attention and discipline from the proper authorities, but which needs to be kept in proper perspective.

Not every violation of the rules is "cheating" and if we who follow the sport closely can't make the distinction than we become part of the bad PR problem for racing rather than part of the solution. Nefarious activity -- or the attempt to engage in such -- deservedly brings a black cloud over the sport. But every rules violation doesn't necessarily involve nefarious intent and it's up to us to make sure the differences are apparent to those who don't follow the sport regularly.

>>> Michael Matz [trainer of Barbaro]: "One of the biggest things that we try to do to help our horses' performance is to get them more air. All natural AIR POWER does the trick..." [pdf -- catalog page 11]

From Monday:
>>> Trainer Jeff Mullins allegedly violated NY detention barn rules

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GENERAL NEWS NJ sulky track fighting for survival... Patron, "There's nobody coming anymore." Ky Horse Racing Commission approves regulation mandating use of safety helmets by all licensed personnel VIDEO: Smaller venues... Washington state's Sundowns happy with turnout for opening weekend -- but conerned about the future Bookmaker betting system means Grand National upset could be a boon for Brit racing They're strict over there: Jockey gets one-year ban after losing photo-finish in Philippines The Pamplemousse is off the Derby Trail Sun results: Rachael Alexandra toys with rivals in G2 $250K Fantasy at Oaklawn 2009 TTimes book award goes to: The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita by Rudolph Alvarado International Jock Watch: Hong Kong apprentice Matthew Chadwick might be horse racing's ultimate feel-good story Fairmount Park is set to open season... "Despite the current economic conditions, we're going into 2009 convinced that because of our 'more bang for your buck' pricing policies, we can have a very solid year." "There's a great sense of anticipation."... Lone Star Park racetrack expecting to beat the odds this season Racehorse ownership and tax laws Economy: Dubai affected -- but expects to bounce back Q-horse: 870-yard world record broken at Sunland Bidder for Maryland tracks talks of plans for the property, "We have a national grocer, a home improvement store, an electronics store..." The Pamplemousse gets scratched... Heat in tendon derails SA Derby's ML fave Baffert headed back to the Ky Derby with Pioneerof the Nile, "You want to get there with a horse that's very competitive... like this horse here." Derby Watch: Chocolate Candy pointing towards Churchill after placing in SA Derby Sat results: Seventh Street wins G1 $500K Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Churchill Downs ranks #7 on sports scribe's top ten world's greatest stadiums Colorado: Pending legislation could be last hope for racing in the state Interesting: Horse-racing takeout in Calif much better than state's lottery -- 16% compared to about 50%! Jockey Tim Doocy joins exclusive 5000-win club Halsey Minor bids for Magna tracks Right on!... Blogger takes exception with recent criticisms of Ky Derby eligibility rules, saying, "Don't make it easier for horses like Dunkirk to stay in the barn." 21st century jock: Talamo Twitters his way to the Kentucky Derby Economic downturn means fire-sale pricing for bettors at Buffalo-area casinos and tracks Churchill seeks approval for special Oaks-Derby day wagers Magna Ent bankruptcy hearing postponed until Apr 20 Canada's Racing Hall of Fame alters selection process Star power: Yearling from 3-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva [by Galileo] set for auction Louisville Courier-Journal's original Derby poll: Top ten jumbled after Saturday racing action Weekend's Derby Trail action/RESULTS >>> G1 $750K Wood Memorial: I Want Revenge overcomes trouble to grab the victory >>> VIDEO REPLAY: Wood Memorial >>> G1 $750K Santa Anita Derby: Pioneerof the Nile over Chocolate Candy >>> G2 $500K Illinois Derby: Musket Man runs lifetime record to 6-5-0-1

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