Ten years absent from horse racing allows others to shine.

 The last time Richard Dutrow jr. saddled a horse was on January 16, 2013, at Aqueduct Park in a $32,,000 claiming race which he won.

Since then he faced a ban of ten years and is now seeking a spot in the sport that kicked him out.

His purse earnings over the years tipped the scale well over 87 million dollars with just 7,204 starters to his name.  His absence from horse racing allowed many others to take some of the spotlights and was able to even bring more attention to others seeking recognition for what they do with these horses.

As Dutrow gets ready to make his way back into the sport of kings many fans are disgusted, judging by the online comments shown on the blogs and horse racing forums.

Maybe ten years away from anything is all too revealing.

Dutrow seeks a fresh return to horse racing.

Based on online comments from fans, horse racing deserves a fresh approach and one without cheaters as they put it.  So my question really is what is a cheater to you?

The lines for cheating are so marginal that reputations are either grown or ruined with the slightest of mistakes made by trainers during these woke times.

Accused of committing infractions.

What allows high-profile trainers to re-enter the game and what keeps the lower-end trainers still at the bottom?  It's the connections that are made with owners and breeders and quite possibly even family associated with this sort.

Can you think of any other job where you can be away for ten years and walk right back into the field without some jitters?

Smile it's horse racing!

derek.barntrack@gmail.com