Charles Trent
Q– Tim G asked now that HISA is in effect and some tracks saying that they will fight this in the courts. Do you see this getting fixed soon?
A- I don’t see this getting fixed anywhere in the near future. Like I said before, the government is stepping into tracks’ businesses because they (the Tracks) are not taking care of these issues quick enough or even at all.
To be fair, some tracks have made some of the horse health issues better (like Santa Anita), of which the Breeders Cup has adopted Santa Anita’s protocols. Still, most tracks are still very easy on disciplining trainers, jockeys, vets and owners for violating racing’s medication rules.
For example, look how long it to decide the Bob Baffert case. And, in the last few weeks, cases like Peter Miller and Phil D’amto moved slowly as the ruling boards dragged their feet. If they don’t have the evidence, then don’t fine, or suspend but if you do ….then suspend and fine them and be done with it.
Rules are for everyone to follow but there is always someone who thinks that they can get away with breaking them. Which brings me back to why the government is stepping in. They will be involved until the tracks join together like all of the other major sports.
Horse racing needs a committee and a commissioner, so the rules and safety issues are the same everywhere and followed by all. They also need to have a 3 strikes punishment in a two-year span. For the first strike, a fine will do. The second strike imposes a larger fine and suspended for days or weeks depending on the infraction. Third strike and it’s a huge fine and at least a one-year suspension or more depending on the violation. I can go on, but I think you get my drift.
Q– Scott L. asked did you have a favorite type of horse to train?
A– Easy answer, the winning kind! Okay, now seriously, I loved training speed horses. You can do a lot of things with speed horses. First, there are more sprint races to choose from day to day. The sad part is most of the time there are a lot of speed horses. So, that means you need to find their level when it comes to sprints and even sprint distance up to a mile. I love the ones that have the talent to take it a distance like 1 1/16 or 1 1/8 miles.
Sometimes you get a horse that can do both, which is very fun to work with. I had a filly that was fast enough to win at low level 5 furlongs up to 6 ½ furlong races, but when I took her a 1 1/16, she could compete at 2 or 3 levels higher. I think most trainers have the same opinion.
And when it comes to gambling, I love speed horses.
About Charles Trent
Charles Trent started going to the races when he was 10 years old and bought his first racehorse when he was 18 years old. He’s been involved in the sport of Kings since. Charles understands both the gambling and training part of the sport.
He has owned horses on and off since 1985, trained horses from 1999 to 2008 and every horse that he purchased as a trainer got to the winner circle. Charles worked with top trainers and jockeys as an owner along with many great grooms, jockeys, jockey agents and even racing office personal as a trainer. Now, Charles is a Bloodstock Agent helping people start their journey in this Great Sport.
Charles will take your questions taking questions about horseracing from buying horses for racing to pinhooking, breeding, the ins and outs of the backside from a trainer’s point of view and even about gambling.
Send Charles Trent, Bloodstock Agent and Racing Manager of Big Casino Racing, your questions to [email protected]
