On the morning his star 3-year-old Forte is set to return in Belmont Stakes 2023, owner Mike Repole has issued a call for a national commissioner and governing body for horse racing.
Repole suggests that this governing body and commissioner should work with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority on issues of horse safety and integrity, but also with a broader range of stakeholders. In a tweet explaining his vision, Repole said, "I’m calling for transparency but without a strong vision and marketing plan, communication, alignment and education, transparency doesn’t work."
ATTENTION ENTIRE HORSE RACING INDUSTRY:
I am calling for immediate action in the vision, the strategy of changing and evolving this great game we all LOVE.
Either we’re an agent for change and evolution or we are on the side of stubborn, traditionalist self-inflicted demise of…
— Repole Stable (@RepoleStable) June 10, 2023
Repole's post came amid a troubled Triple Crown season for the connections of 2022 champion juvenile Forte.
On the morning of May 6, Kentucky Derby day, state veterinarians scratched the morning-line favorite. That move put Forte on a 14-day veterinarian list, keeping him out of the Preakness Stakes as well.
Then, May 11, the New York State Gaming Commission issued a ruling disqualifying Forte from his win in Saratoga's Hopeful Stakes (G1) on Sept. 5 due to a positive test for the pain reliever meloxicam. The NYSGC levied a 10-day suspension and a $1,000 fine upon Pletcher in that ruling, which is under appeal.
In a news conference the day after the suspension was announced, Repole argued that the medication positive was caused by contamination.
Forte was installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the Belmont Stakes, which iwa scheduled to go off at 7:02 p.m. EDT. This would be the Violence colt's first race since winning the Florida Derby (G1) on April 1 at Gulfstream Park.
