Jennie Rees

@CJ_Jennie

Long-time assistant Scott Blasi, at the heart of a video that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says shows abuse of horses and rules violations, returned to work Tuesday at Saratoga for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Asmussen fired Blasi four months ago for what he cited as using profanity in describing an owner in the video, which was secretly taken by a PETA employee who got a job in the stable as a hotwalker. Asmussen, who won Churchill Downs' fall meet title, estimates he lost 40 or 50 horses within a week "and all the 2-year-olds that would have followed them" amid the avalanche of bad publicity.

"He feels Scott has been punished enough and wants to resume their employment relationship and personal relationship," said Clark Brewster, the attorney and horse owner who represents both Asmussen and Blasi. He added of Blasi, "He's been humbled."

The rehiring was first reported by the Daily Racing Form.

"I'm better with him," Asmussen said by phone. "The barn is better with him...We work well together and are able to do more. You can't do it without the horses. It requires great help to take care of great horses."

Asmussen said he spoke with his owners before asking Blasi back.

"The people I presently train for know and appreciate Scott and what he does for them," he said.

Blasi said he was "happy to be back doing what I love."

Asked if he had changed for the experience, he said by phone, "I've been very dedicated over the past 18 years. You don't take a lot of time for yourself. Not saying this is the break that I wanted, but I do think it's given me a chance to spend a lot of time with my family and my son and taking some time for myself.

"My son (18-year-old Blayne) is going to (Army Reserves) basic training today. So it was very nice that I was able to spend quality time with a lot of people I missed out on over the years."

Much of the video, first made public by a scathing story in The New York Times, included Blasi using profanities that were startling. But some who have closely examined the video say it doesn't show specific abuse of horses or rules violations.

"Am I perfect? I'm not," Blasi said by phone. "Am I passionate about my job and the horses in my care? Very much so. Is that language appropriate? Absolutely not. But I think that's an easy fix. You've got to be responsible for who you are and what you say. I'm not trying to defend my language...It's something I need to work on, and I have worked on."

Asked if he underwent counseling, Blasi said, "I'm going to say I took a more spiritual approach to it."

PETA formally lodged charges against Asmussen in New York and Kentucky, whose regulatory agencies said they would investigate. Blasi said he also spent his time off speaking to those bodies.

"I feel like I've answered those questions as open and honestly as I possibly can," he said. "It's been four months, and it's time to get back to work."

A spokesman for the New York State Gaming Commission said in an email that the investigation "is ongoing and is expected to be resolved soon. There have been no conclusions of findings determined yet...If the results of the investigation warrant, disciplinary action will be taken against appropriate parties."

A spokesman for the Public Protection Cabinet that oversees the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission said that the investigation is "on-going and when completed the findings will be presented to the KHRC."

Kathy Guillermo, PETA's senior vice president, wrote in response to an email seeking comment: "Steve Asmussen's 'suspension' of Scott Blasi always seemed a sham. Ultimately Asmussen is responsible for the cruelty shown in PETA's investigation, including the use of sedatives, pain-masking drugs and chemical stimulants, running sore and injured horses, smearing caustic chemicals on horses' legs and more.

"If the racing industry cares at all about Thoroughbreds, the end of the mock suspension will be seen as the return to business as usual and should be condemned by everyone who gives a hoot for horses."

Contact Jennie Rees at 502-582-4042. Follow her on Twitter @CJ_Jennie and Facebook.com/CJJennie.