Pick a successful trainer's name, any trainer. There is probably somebody who is going to think that trainer is cheating. Cheating is a relative term. If you are racing on hay, oats, and water, then you are at a competitive disadvantage. Sad state of affairs, but the reality. Detention barn and out of competition testing should be the norm, and should be frequent/regular.
I can't think of a top trainer, a successful trainer, who has never had a positive test. Can you? Go way back in Meadowlands history. Larry/Ray Remmen, Jim Doherty, Lofty Bruce, Greg Wright, Howard Camden, Jack Friedhoff, Kelvin Harrison? Move on, Rovine/Holloway, Dave Elliott, Ben Webster, Ron Waples? Then Robinson, Artandi, Stutzman, George Anthony, Pelling, Croghan, Holloway? Today, Ake, Burke, Alagna, Moore, Linda Toscano? Keep going. For me, there's a big difference between a clenbuterol positive (slightly over the limit) and some designer, exotic drug that has zero place on the backstretch or farm. Who do you give a horse to today, before you get accused of using a "drug" trainer? Yes, I do think there should be owner accountability, but that leads to a very slippery slope.
