The March 19 New York Times ran a feature article entitled “PETA Accuses Two Trainers of Cruelty to Horses.” The article said the New York Times did not participate in the undercover investigation with PETA of trainer Steve Asmussen and his head assistant trainer Scott Blasi.
You can see the video from PETA here.
The Jockey Club released the following statement on March 20:
“The Jockey Club is aware of a recent media report involving disturbing allegations of animal cruelty and related matters.
“The Jockey Club fully supports and assists law enforcement agencies, the courts and racing regulatory authorities in the investigation of matters involving animal cruelty. Furthermore, pursuant to the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book, The Jockey Club may deny any or all of the privileges of The American Stud Book to any person or entity when, among other things, there is a final determination by an official body that such person has committed an act of cruelty to a horse or violated applicable statutes or regulations regarding the care and treatment of a horse.
“The Jockey Club has long held that for the health and safety of the athletes and the integrity of the sport, Thoroughbreds should only race when free from the influence of medications in their system. The Jockey Club remains committed to the comprehensive national reform of medication rules, laboratory standards and penalties currently underway in 19 racing jurisdictions that enhance transparency and severely prosecute those who operate outside the rules. The Jockey Club will continue to aggressively pursue these reforms until they are uniformly adopted for all North American racing.”
