Posted on 02/28/2006 2:26:01 PM PST by highimpact
Two vets and a pharmacist were among 24 people arrested by police in Naples yesterday over claims that they fed Viagra to horses running in illegal races to make them go faster.
The arrests were part of a wider investigation into clandestine racing and betting in southern Italy. Police said horseowners and jockeys had also been arrested during the latest raids.
Prosecutors in Naples have been trying to stamp out illegal horse racing, which takes place on public racecourses after hours and attracts hundreds of gamblers. Stolen horses are often used. Some are fed powdered Viagra or other stimulants to improve their performances.
Article continues Colonel Mario Pantano, of the paramilitary carabinieri, said all of those rounded up yesterday were suspected of being in an organisation that runs secret races all over the Campania region and which had offshoots in Sicily and Emilia Romagna.
The criminal gang, not linked to the local Camorra mafia, was described as highly professional.
"They set up grandstands and betting parlours," said Col Pantano. "A great number of people turned out at weekends for the races, probably knowing it was illegal." The wide-ranging investigation, which started in 2004, has also discovered that horses have been doped with Viagra before legal races.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
I tried this before a 10K, but I kept tripping.
LOL
I'm sure it also "extended" the lead..
I would think it would make it harder for the horses to run. lol
Stands to reason,five legs are better than four.
5 legs instead of 4?
No, they just run harder.
Do they put a mare in heat at the finish line?
Mrs. Lucky has often pointed out that I have a prominent feature which reminds her of a race horse.
Set up a mare like the thingumabob in dog races, and the horses will go supersonic.
I assume there was mounting evidence?
You have a tail?
Actually, they were betting on the jockeys, not the horses. After the horses were fed Viagra, the Jockeys were put in front and given a 10 second head start.
Is that why she calls herself Mrs. Lucky?
A big nose? Short jockey? snicker snicker
Which end of the horse? (sorry, my bad..)
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