(PhatzRadio – Staff Writer PAL) This weekend we saw some great races and some very frightening accidents. Ramon Dominguez wasn’t riding on Saturday after a spill he took Friday. Mr. Dominquez was riding Ms Stilleto. It appears that Ms Stilleto clipped heels with Starjetta on the backstretch; she then stumbled and unseated her rider. His neck was a little stiff, but otherwise, he should be fine. Irad Oritz Jr. is in stable condition after a spill on Saturday. He was riding Freud’s Debut in the 10th race at Belmont, when the horse stumbled and fell shortly after the start of the race. Mr. Ortiz was taken to the hospital after the fall. He can move all of his body parts, and has a concussion; an MRI was scheduled for Sunday. The horse appears to be fine. Both of these accidents occurred on the Widener Turf Course. On Thursday night, there was an accident on Mohawk Raceway. In the 10th race, If I Didn’t Care driven by Jody Jamieson was coming up the stretch and fell. Most of the group of horses and drivers were able to avoid Jamieson. Mark MacDonald was unable to avoid Jamieson and was thrown from his sulkie. Mr. MacDonald suffered several broken bones, his nose, and jaw is broken, along with a dislocated right shoulder. It may be several months before Mr. MacDonald can drive. I believe the horses are fine. We offer our sincere hope that everyone recovers as soon as possible. This is a dangerous sport. I hope everyone realizes the risk jockeys and drivers take every day.

From Bloodhorse.com a hearing is scheduled today regarding allegations against trainer Rick Dutrow. Mr. Dutrow was suspended for a urine sample containing Class 3 medication Butiophanol in his horse, Fastus Cactus. Fastus Cactus finished first in a race last November at Aqueduct Racetrack. A second suspension was issued when hypodermic needles were found in Mr. Dutrow’s barn. The two infractions together, carry a 90 day suspension.

The State Racing and Wagering Board has expanded the potential punishment to include revocation of Mr. Dutrow’s license for what they claim is a pattern of violations over the years. Kentucky racing officials had denied Mr. Dutrow a license this year (see Amen Hallujah). Legal papers that were filed this month claimed Mr. Dutrow was not in the barn when the syringes were found. They also claimed Mr. Dutrow was not in the state when Factus Cactus tested positive. Mr. Dutrow also offered to take a polygraph; the stewards would not accept the offer. Unfortunately, since Mr. Dutrow is the trainer of Factus Cactus, and since the syringes were allegedly found in his barn, he is going to be held accountable. If one of his employees did something wrong, some disciplinary actions should have been taken. When the horse tested positive, did Mr. Dutrow hold his own investigation? Mr. Edward Martin, president of the Racing Commissioners International and former executive director of the New York Racing Board, wrote to the New York regulators, citing a history of problems, noting that Mr. Dutrow had been sanctioned more than 64 times since 1974.

Why don’t we move into the 21st century? Every mom and pop store has cameras. Why aren’t there cameras in the barns? Mike Repole has cameras in Uncle Mo’s stall. Cameras don’t have to be in every stall but placing them in the barn seems reasonable. I don’t see any problem asking owners to pick up some portion of the cost of installing cameras since they pay for everything else.

Barry Irwin increased the security around the barn in Keeneland when Animal Kingdom was preparing to run in the Preakness. His comments implied he was concerned about someone trying to get to Animal Kingdom and have him test positive. Mr. Irwin’s comments may have been brash, but I give him credit for speaking up about issues that some people would rather not talk about. Every industry has people that will do anything for money. Why should horse racing be any different? These animals are worth a lot of money; yes, even the cheap claimers. Putting cameras in place would be an excellent deterrent to anyone considering doing something questionable.

So does the penalty fit the crime? I am glad I don’t have to make such a decision that will so dramatically effect someone’s livelihood. Tune in Tuesdays and Fridays at 4PM EDT on www.phatzradio.com for the show.