Robert DILL...is in quite a pickle!

[wizardofoz]

Rules 4120.4(A), 4120.3(A)(6), 4120.3(C) On 20 August 2024 the New York Drug Testing and Research Program reported to the New York State Gaming Commission that sample CV3602120, obtained pre-race, from the horse MAKING SPARKS, 3rd place finisher in race 6 on 12 August 2024 at Monticello Raceway, contained the presence of Cobalt at a concentration of 913.15+/-20.8 ppb. The presence of Cobalt in sample CV3602120 was confirmed by analysis of the referee portion of the sample by the State of Ohio Analytical Toxicology Lab at a concentration of 868+/-13 ppb. On 11 October 2024 Trainer Robert Dill appeared before a representative of the New York State Gaming Commission. Robert Dill, as trainer of MAKING SPARKS on 12 August 2024, is in violation of New York State Gaming Commission rules 4120.4(A), 4120.3(A)(6), and 4120.3(C). Pursuant to stated violations Trainer Robert Dill is hereby issued a full suspension of their occupational license for a period of 10 years!!!!

[bond]

This situation is a travesty and should be reported to the appropriate authorities outside of New York. How can NY Gaming permit judges to impose life-altering penalties that far exceed the offense? It's doubtful that Cobalt has enhanced the performance of the horses owned by the elderly gentleman. This individual is 72 years old and, to my knowledge, has had no serious violations throughout his entire racing career. The range of penalties for Cobalt violations varies widely, from a mere slap on the wrist to what amounts to a life sentence for a 72-year-old. For example, in New York, L. Hudson recently incurred a Cobalt penalty and was given a two-week suspension. During this time, a stand-in was allowed to act as trainer, with all horses racing under this substitute. After the two weeks, Hudson returned, seemingly refreshed from his brief hiatus. It's exasperating—drug penalties handed down by the authorities are becoming a blight in racing, with lives being devastated over minor offenses, yet it seems no one cares.

[THE KING OF ALL BLACKS]

Is this Bobby Dill the blacksmith in Goshen???

[toothman]

This situation is a travesty and should be reported to the appropriate authorities outside of New York. How can NY Gaming permit judges to impose life-altering penalties that far exceed the offense? It's doubtful that Cobalt has enhanced the performance of the horses owned by the elderly gentleman. This individual is 72 years old and, to my knowledge, has had no serious violations throughout his entire racing career. The range of penalties for Cobalt violations varies widely, from a mere slap on the wrist to what amounts to a life sentence for a 72-year-old. For example, in New York, L. Hudson recently incurred a Cobalt penalty and was given a two-week suspension. During this time, a stand-in was allowed to act as trainer, with all horses racing under this substitute. After the two weeks, Hudson returned, seemingly refreshed from his brief hiatus. It's exasperating—drug penalties handed down by the authorities are becoming a blight in racing, with lives being devastated over minor offenses, yet it seems no one cares.

I've seen cobalt positives before, but NEVER penalties like this... What gives??

[Chips N Salsa]

This situation is a travesty and should be reported to the appropriate authorities outside of New York. How can NY Gaming permit judges to impose life-altering penalties that far exceed the offense? It's doubtful that Cobalt has enhanced the performance of the horses owned by the elderly gentleman. This individual is 72 years old and, to my knowledge, has had no serious violations throughout his entire racing career. The range of penalties for Cobalt violations varies widely, from a mere slap on the wrist to what amounts to a life sentence for a 72-year-old. For example, in New York, L. Hudson recently incurred a Cobalt penalty and was given a two-week suspension. During this time, a stand-in was allowed to act as trainer, with all horses racing under this substitute. After the two weeks, Hudson returned, seemingly refreshed from his brief hiatus. It's exasperating—drug penalties handed down by the authorities are becoming a blight in racing, with lives being devastated over minor offenses, yet it seems no one cares.

I think the severity is due to the crazy amount.  25 is limit and this guy is 800+ which is stupid high and not an accident.

[wizardofoz]

I never heard of such a lengthy penalty for this.

[bond]

I think the severity is due to the crazy amount.  25 is limit and this guy is 800+ which is stupid high and not an accident.

\

Without all the facts, it's hard to determine how the horse reached such high cobalt levels, but I've heard that adding it to feed can cause a cumulative effect, resulting in sky-high levels. That's what my trainer mentioned after receiving a notice advising against feeding supplements with high cobalt levels, some of which were compounded with very high levels. At the Meadowlands, when trainers presented horses with positive cobalt tests, they were banned from racing, and one trainer with levels over 1000 received a year's suspension in New Jersey. This likely resulted from injections, which, according to articles I've read, can lead to serious side effects. The rules state that you cannot exceed a level of 25. It's akin to pregnancy; you can't be "a little bit pregnant" and receive a v low penalty—a cobalt positive is a cobalt positive over 25. Levels above that are irrelevant. The same applies to Dexamethasone; despite different levels, the penalties this week were all the same.

[Harness Racing Revolution]

Yes this is Bobby who used to show at Goshen. I know he likes to tube. This makes no sense except his owner Anthony was the guy who took over operating Golden Shoe when Guido went away. Other than that I would never have guessed this one.

[THE KING OF ALL BLACKS]

Yes this is Bobby who used to show at Goshen. I know he likes to tube. This makes no sense except his owner Anthony was the guy who took over operating Golden Shoe when Guido went away. Other than that I would never have guessed this one.

I can't believe I never would've thought!

 Bobby such a nice guy he really loved horses his dad was a total gentleman the brother that own the tack shop was a wheeler dealer but a nice guy too.  Sad

[wizardofoz]

Ziffel, your name here is a riot! The Green Acres pig Arnold is a riot watching him on that show!

[remington]

Was his dad Pete Dill

[Berwyn]

Any relation to Dill Doe or Dill Pickle? 

[THE KING OF ALL BLACKS]

Ziffel, your name here is a riot! The Green Acres pig Arnold is a riot watching him on that show!

I bet you had a thing for Doris... Ziffel Arnold's mom lol.

[THE KING OF ALL BLACKS]

Any relation to Dill Doe or Dill Pickle? 

[wizardofoz]

I bet you had a thing for Doris... Ziffel Arnold's mom lol.

No way! ECHHHHH! The pig was better looking!