Gill: “Willing to Bet Jesus”
Two horses owned by Michael Gill tested positive for the banned sedative fluphenazine, a NYRA steward said last Thursday. Clay’s Rocket and Kalookan Lady, both trained by Mark Shuman, won races at Saratoga on August 8 and 9, respectively. Gill claims the positives are signs of “a conspiracy against his stable supported by the New York Racing Association and its officials,” and “refutes the initial test results, swearing ‘on his five kids’ lives’ and ‘willing to bet Jesus’ that he will be exonerated and suffer no consequences because of the fluphenazine positives.” NYRA officials dismiss the conspiracy charges: “It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. He’s just fantasizing,” chairman Barry Schwartz told the Thoroughbred Times. While it’s unlikely New York will give Gill stalls any time soon, Lone Star Park has assigned him 50 for the upcoming Breeders’ Cup meet.
