WASHINGTON — Big Brown’s trainer appears to be a late scratch for today’s House hearing on the safety of thoroughbred racing, removing the most anticipated witness from Congress’ latest look at sports and steroids.
Rick Dutrow said Wednesday he has had a virus for several days and did not feel well enough to travel.
“I would go in a minute, but I just don’t feel well,” Dutrow said in a telephone interview.
The Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection had been looking forward to hearing from the trainer known for his candor and for methods that were brought into question after his star horse’s stunning last-place finish at this month’s Belmont Stakes.
Dutrow said he used a legal steroid on Big Brown — although the last dose was given in April — and the horse also ran the race on a quarter crack in the left front hoof in a failed attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.
An Associated Press survey last week found that thoroughbred racetracks reported more than three horse deaths a day in 2007 and 5,000 since 2003.
The impetus for the hearing came when Eight Belles broke down at the Kentucky Derby last month and was euthanized on the track.
“I hope that we bring some transparency to the issues reflecting all of racing,” said Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.). “It’s more than pretty hats and horses on a sunny day. It has a huge economical impact, and it has a bad side to it. I think it’s important we get it out on the table.”
