tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post3823971863122477122..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Deal With ItAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-51772475480645251662008-05-05T23:53:00.000-04:002008-05-05T23:53:00.000-04:00In my opinion, the horse racing industry is gettin...In my opinion, the horse racing industry is getting just what it deserves.<BR/><BR/>Wait before you go thinking that I'm one of "those" people. I've been a fan of the game for 40+ years. I will always be.<BR/><BR/>What I mean by my opening statement is that, as an industry, horse racing needs to stand back and take a look at itself. Right now we have horsemen fighting with track owners over simulcast signals. Who suffers? The horseplayers. The Thoroughbred Championships being run at Santa Anita two years in a row because of a rift between Churchill Inc and the Breeders' Cup. Again, the fans take a hit. Breeding is out of control as are the drugs being administered. Jockeys are refusing to ride unless they get a bigger cut of the purses.<BR/><BR/>The industry needs to police itself. Everybody seems to be pushing their own agenda instead of what's good for the industry. The media, God forbid, can't do it. The fans can't do it. It needs to come from the inside. And here's the rub. Many people make a living on the inside of this sport. Someone will need to bite the hand that feeds them in order for things to change.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-86724061179950720132008-05-05T12:59:00.000-04:002008-05-05T12:59:00.000-04:00This blog is a breath of fresh air. I was disgust...This blog is a breath of fresh air. I was disgusted to see the news media clamoring over the tragedy of Eight Belles instead of Big Brown's blowout victory. Finally someone is putting it in the proper perspective.<BR/><BR/>Kudos to NBC for the balanced coverage of the triumph and tragedy with a little more emphasis on the triumph aspect.Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09411188797284473494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-47685581049995430662008-05-05T10:06:00.000-04:002008-05-05T10:06:00.000-04:00>>This is not about a conspiracy theory, but a sha...>>This is not about a conspiracy theory, but a sharing of critical information so that the industry can learn. No more secrets. We must talk.<BR/><BR/>I don't disagree with your suggestions, but I think it would be more useful and revealing if your questions were asked in the cases of, say, the 5K claimer types who break down in the 3rd at Evangeline. I'd suspect that Eight Belles and Larry Jones would come up clean. (At least I'd HOPE so!) But I shudder to think what would be found in the far less publicized cases with cheap horses at smaller tracks.Alan Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-88784684591844466722008-05-05T09:27:00.000-04:002008-05-05T09:27:00.000-04:00Come on guys. 80% of thoroughbreds either don't wi...Come on guys. 80% of thoroughbreds either don't win or break down and are sold for meat. A hideous and suffering end for the animal. At least agree that 2 year old racing should be banned...these babies develop muscles that are too strong for their baby bones. THAT is not subject to debate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-10970244896420524142008-05-05T09:26:00.000-04:002008-05-05T09:26:00.000-04:00I am hoping that Eight Belles did not die in vain ...I am hoping that Eight Belles did not die in vain and that we all get to asses what may have contributed to her dying on the racetrack. I would like to know what vet pre-raced her for the Derby and what she was given. How about her prior health records, x-rays and soft tissue scans. Was she on anabolic steroids or had she ever been given EPO or any other blood doping agent. What was her training regiment coming out of the prior race and leading up to the Derby? Why did one of the country's best jocks Ramon Dominguez take a 30-1 shot mount for Pletcher instead of riding the filly he had one the last two races aboard? This is not about a conspiracy theory, but a sharing of critical information so that the industry can learn. No more secrets. We must talk. Anyone that follows our sport knows for certain that we need the help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-50314936918443397572008-05-05T01:10:00.001-04:002008-05-05T01:10:00.001-04:00Where are the stats on Unbridled's Song? Isn't he...Where are the stats on Unbridled's Song? Isn't he the sire of Eight Belles?<BR/><BR/>It seems a large percentage of his progeny have issues. Wasn't Buddha one of this sons? He developed a foot bruise on the eve of the 2003 Kentucky Derby and they retired him. <BR/><BR/>There has been a lot of negative press for racing over the past five years. Anyone remember the Jose Santos' buzzer saga following Funny Cide's win? Of course, Barbaro won big, and then met his demise.<BR/><BR/>Would this be an even bigger story if Eight Belles had battled Big Brown head-to-head for a few more yards? I mean, what if Eight Belles and Big Brown had endured a stretch duel that rivaled that of Go For Wand and Bayakoa? Like, what would be the reaction if Eight Belles broke down in deep stretch instead of in the gallop out?<BR/><BR/>As for the other stories that hardly get a mention, now really, what is the deal with Biancone? Why do they allow him to worm his way out of a stiff suspension? Ban his fat ass for years, not months!<BR/><BR/>Does anyone want to come up with a medication positive list for all of the trainers in this year's Derby? Mott, Zito, Dutrow, Pletcher, and Asmussen have all been found guilty this decade. Those are the names I can think of off the top of my head.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-74960668386095089962008-05-05T01:10:00.000-04:002008-05-05T01:10:00.000-04:00I know you guys love your racing, but this is bad,...I know you guys love your racing, but this is bad,real bad. There are going to have to be major changes in many areas. The general public is absolutely sickened by this. If it means no 2yo racing, synthetic at every track,much tougher drug rules etc, so be it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-34356009671841822032008-05-04T23:11:00.000-04:002008-05-04T23:11:00.000-04:00Bash the Times all you guys want, but Jim Squires'...Bash the Times all you guys want, but Jim Squires' piece up there on their website now is generally free of hysteria, but also free of the chronic denial that characterizes the racing industry's approach to almost all of it's problems.<BR/><BR/>Surely we should take a serious look at breeding stouter animals. How? I'm just thinking aloud (not having thought through all the ramifications) but how about barring horses that do not race as 4 year olds a certain number of times from breeding (or having their progeny being allowed to race)?<BR/><BR/>If the horse doesn't have genes that can help a horse last through a few years of racing, sorry, no nookie. And this would keep top horses on the track longer, which would certainly make racing a better game, and a more attractive sport for the casual fan. It is time for the racing do to start getting the breeding tail under it's control.<BR/><BR/>How about starting 2 year old racing later in the year and drastically reducing purses on 2 year old stakes races? How about doing away with yearling auctions so the youngest horses aren't pressured into fast times before their bones are ready?<BR/><BR/>How about saying traditions that endanger horses are bad and changing them -- place the triple crown later in the year, with more time between races. Everyone involved in racing knows how hard the current schedule is on the horses. So why wait until, god forbid, we have Big Brown breaking down during/after the Preakness to make people willing to reform the sport?<BR/><BR/>And most of all, let's return to the days of no legal raceday medications, and put some energy into serious pre-screening of the horses before they race, as per trainer Ward's comments. Again, if you can't stay sound without snake venom, no nookie.<BR/><BR/>As a bettor, I also concur with Squires' idea about scratching horses that struggle to stay out of the starting gate instead of manhandling them into position. He may or may not be right that this will cut down on breakdowns, but it will certainly cut down on bets that have suddenly become hopeless.<BR/><BR/>Alan, your comments about the surface are spot on, but we've got to go further.<BR/><BR/>I was a big Big Brown fan going in, and like Forego is my Witness (I'm sure glad I got to witness him!) I'll be rooting (but not betting this time) that much harder for him in 2 weeks.steve in nchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04061356872686618093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-63137735103948359432008-05-04T22:57:00.000-04:002008-05-04T22:57:00.000-04:00Did you notice that It is only Liberal Democrats m...Did you notice that It is only Liberal Democrats making an Issue of this Peta,Rhoden,etc..<BR/><BR/>Wake up people!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-30587517434049130392008-05-04T22:44:00.000-04:002008-05-04T22:44:00.000-04:00How can anyone compare bullfighting to horse racin...How can anyone compare bullfighting to horse racing? Don't these two events/sports have two very different goals? One is killing and one is having a championship horse (not killing the horse).<BR/><BR/>Damn, is Rhoden an idiot. I am actually surprised he did not make it a race issue though.Bretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07847114098891496678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-16236718552909974682008-05-04T22:40:00.000-04:002008-05-04T22:40:00.000-04:00I liked Exogenous in the '01 Distaff. In those da...I liked Exogenous in the '01 Distaff. In those days before youtube and race replays, I purchased a Breeders Cup prep race dvd and remember her lugging out down the stretch in almost every race. She was a neurotic filly, but she was fast. <BR/><BR/>The Eight Belles story has legs. It's on the front page of alot of media. The PETA people are using this as a cudgel for their whip issue. If the press wants to dig deeper, they might latch onto any kind of story, maybe the Biancone snake venom story. This could get messier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-88977621116328674822008-05-04T22:11:00.000-04:002008-05-04T22:11:00.000-04:00I just want to point out a minor sadness added by ...I just want to point out a minor sadness added by the major sadness of Eight Belles's breakdown and death: Big Brown ran an amazing race. He looked as though he could have run around another time. I thought he was a "sucker's bet," and now I'm seeing him certainly easily winning the Preakness. The horse looked unbelievable.<BR/><BR/>I'm mentioning this because, if Eight Belles hadn't broken down, the only story anyone would have been writing today would be how amazing he looked, and maybe he can go "all the way." What a boon this would have been for our sport! We need more people excited about thoroughbred racing.<BR/><BR/>But instead, his accomplishment is in a way pushed into the background, and to me that's a shame. Twelve days from now, as Preakness (and Triple Crown) fever hits a boil, the tragedy of Eight Belles will still linger. I'll actually be rooting for Big Brown that much harder. Our sport needs it.forego is my witnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785998054727075723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-56815990492248272882008-05-04T21:42:00.000-04:002008-05-04T21:42:00.000-04:00Not that I want to spread this ignorance, but what...Not that I want to spread this ignorance, but what has me utterly infuriated is both Sports Illustrated and the Associated Press being willing media puppets for the animal welfare agenda crowd.<BR/><BR/>Fair warning - do not click on the link if you want to see the gratuitous image of EB down: (link is to Sports Illustrated by the author is AP) <A HREF="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/more/05/04/bc.rac.peta.eightbelles.ap/index.html?cnn=yes" REL="nofollow">AP May 4 'PETA requests that Eight Belles jockey Gabriel Saez be suspended'</A><BR/><BR/>Makes me mad enought to spit.<BR/><BR/>The NTRA needs to set the record straight and address the whole matter directly, quickly, with compassion, and with as much public detail as possible. Otherwise the continued media feeding frenzy with devour the whole Triple Crown.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-47107641236843870602008-05-04T21:39:00.000-04:002008-05-04T21:39:00.000-04:00ReggieHammond says this is unbelievableSunday May ...ReggieHammond says this is unbelievable<BR/><BR/>Sunday May 4, 2008 <BR/>PETA requests that Eight Belles jockey Gabriel Saez be suspended Story Highlights <BR/>Eight Belles broke both front ankles while galloping after the Kentucky Derby <BR/>PETA asks that Saez be suspended while Eight Belles' death is investigated <BR/> <BR/><BR/> <BR/> <BR/>Eight Belles was euthanized after she was injured following a second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.<BR/>AP<BR/><BR/><BR/> <BR/>NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is seeking the suspension of Eight Belles' jockey after the filly had to be euthanized following her second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.<BR/><BR/>Gabriel Saez was riding Eight Belles when she broke both front ankles while galloping out a quarter of a mile past the wire. She was euthanized on the track.<BR/><BR/>PETA faxed a letter Sunday to Kentucky's racing authority claiming the filly was "doubtlessly injured before the finish" and asked that Saez be suspended while Eight Belles' death is investigated.<BR/><BR/>"What we really want to know, did he feel anything along the way?" PETA spokeswoman Kathy Guillermo said. "If he didn't then we can probably blame the fact that they're allowed to whip the horses mercilessly."<BR/><BR/>Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones said the filly was clearly happy when she crossed the finish line.<BR/><BR/>"I don't know how in the heck they can even come close to saying that," Jones told The Associated Press on Sunday. "She has her ears up, clearly galloping out."<BR/><BR/>Guillermo said if Saez is found at fault, the group wants the second-place prize of $400,000 won by Eight Belles to be revoked.<BR/><BR/>Saez, a 20-year-old Panama native, was riding in his first Kentucky Derby. He frequently rides for Jones.<BR/><BR/>A call to the jockeys' room at Delaware Park, where Saez raced on Sunday, went unanswered.<BR/><BR/>Eight Belles, the first filly since 1999 to run in the Derby, appeared fine until collapsing while galloping out after the finish.<BR/><BR/>The letter to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority also sought a ban on whipping, limits on races and the age of racehorses, and a move to softer, artificial surfaces for all courses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-56988857382738568292008-05-04T21:27:00.000-04:002008-05-04T21:27:00.000-04:00I stood next to rhoden during the Jones press conf...I stood next to rhoden during the Jones press conference -- I was pretty sure this is what was going to happen.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06801414754458604594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-63842907064385267392008-05-04T20:58:00.000-04:002008-05-04T20:58:00.000-04:00This is a gruesome picture.http://msnbcmedia.msn.c...This is a gruesome picture.<BR/><BR/>http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/Slideshows/8Belles/8BellesTragedy.hlarge.jpgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-79320057397661738412008-05-04T20:45:00.000-04:002008-05-04T20:45:00.000-04:00if big brown did not fire,the filly won and still ...if big brown did not fire,the filly won and still broke down,can you imagine?the industry might never recover as there would be no new racing fans for a long timeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-25116098899051237432008-05-04T19:09:00.000-04:002008-05-04T19:09:00.000-04:00Obesity kills Tens of tousands of people a year.Wh...Obesity kills Tens of tousands of people a year.<BR/><BR/>Where is the outrage!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-73836699631906822232008-05-04T18:55:00.000-04:002008-05-04T18:55:00.000-04:00I was talking to a friend Friday who has a lifetim...I was talking to a friend Friday who has a lifetime of experience in horse racing.<BR/>His comment before the race:<BR/>"There is the occasional filly who can run with the best colts but they are never the same afterwards."<BR/>Is he wrong?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-15974004481273324032008-05-04T18:12:00.000-04:002008-05-04T18:12:00.000-04:00A thoughtful post, Alan . . no question its all p...A thoughtful post, Alan . . no question its all part of the package. It could be a much better package . . . polytrack (if the stats hold up), and, clearly, not racing 2YOs, or even 3YO (sorry, glimmerglass, but it will become realistic to think about this if the anatomical realities are more widely known).<BR/><BR/>The question for each of us . . and for the casual fans who watch the Derby, and could love the sport or be repulsed by it . . is whether to buy the package, in some present or future form, or not. Each well-publicized tragedy turns many away. How many people do we all know who haven't been able to deal with racing since Ruffian, or GFW, or (fill it in . . . )? <BR/><BR/>And . . here's a point that's seldom mentioned. Dealing with tragedy is something that many adults can handle. But its especially disgusting when tragedy is coupled with disrespect. Yesterday . . the NBC coverage chose to minimize Eight Belles' breakdown and death. The shots of Rick Dutrow's celebration were obscene and nauseating . . and in this case, I'm not even sure that it was his fault. Did he even know about Eight Belles? Most people at the track didn't, and evidently there was no announcement. Couldn't the NBC people have told him (worse, maybe they did!) The impression given to the casual viewer is that nobody cares. I'm not a media person . . but there simply has to be a way to couple the two big stories in a better way. I'm sure that NBC (and the other networks who cover racing) have thought about this, but yesterday was IMO a major failure. At least five people told me today that they'[ll never watch another racing event. These people didn't read Rhoden, or anyone else . . they watched the race and formed their own conc lusions.<BR/><BR/>BTW, Alan, equestrian eventing kills horses too . . two at Rolex last weekend, as well as one very badly injured rider. (Eventing is going through a major identity/PR crisis now because of this) And racing kills people as well as horses. Also part of the package, for both. <BR/><BR/>MitchAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-83109661078274617682008-05-04T17:47:00.000-04:002008-05-04T17:47:00.000-04:00I absolutely agree that everybody in racing would ...I absolutely agree that everybody in racing would like to see fewer breakdowns, and that they are making an effort with things like artificial surfaces. The real problem is that they'd like to bring down the breakdown rate without doing anything to change the economics of breeding. It's like wanting to eliminate abortions without having contraception or real sex ed (just to make this message as non-controversial as possible). Can't be done.<BR/><BR/>Obviously nobody's deliberately breeding fragile horses. But there's little economic incentive to breed stout ones, and huge incentives to breed big, fast, precocious ones. As long as a horse with the "right" bloodlines can make a fortune for his owners by running a few times, winning a big race or two, and retiring to a lucrative stud career to produce 200 more horses per year like himself, I don't see how things are going to get any better.Jen Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15247886185829008699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-11587213080567194302008-05-04T17:30:00.000-04:002008-05-04T17:30:00.000-04:00I think these breakdowns happen more often in the ...I think these breakdowns happen more often in the big races because i believe the tracks, try to get the track as fast as possible to create flattering times for these "big" races. While I'm sure the tracks will deny this I think we all acknowledge that there is a very high probability this is so. We have to stop worrying about times. Then maybe we can stop worrying about the track surface. Just make it as safe as possible and as consistent as we as possible. <BR/> As far as Rhoden is concerned I cannot take him seriously. I will not take him seriously. This is a wonderful sport, with wonderful tradition. If he wants to play devils advocate so be it! I know that there probably are fans that could care less, or at least are not affected by breakdowns but I do believe that they constitute a sample that is hardly measurable. As Allan said so well he likely has a column waiting for the next best opportunity to play to a particular audience. If he really didn't care about racing why does he pay so much attention to it? He's a race fan in sheeps' clothing. Dismiss him. Let's just all try to influence those we are able to make the sport as safe as can be. That is all we can do. Breakdowns and injuries are inevitable. They are not the death toll of the sport. These atheletes die trying. I can only hope for as well for myself! <BR/><BR/>George<BR/>www.thesaratogasire.comGeorgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476467655253617704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-39600324203794647272008-05-04T17:18:00.000-04:002008-05-04T17:18:00.000-04:00Here is some Derby coverage from Newsday:http://ti...Here is some Derby coverage from Newsday:<BR/><BR/>http://tinyurl.com/685o5x<BR/><BR/>Couple leave baby in car to watch Derby, police say<BR/><BR/>11:29 PM EDT, May 3, 2008 <BR/><BR/>But we left the heat on!<BR/><BR/>That was a Southampton couple's excuse for leaving their 9-week-old baby alone in the car while they were watching the Kentucky Derby at an Off-Track Betting site, Southampton Town police said Saturday night.<BR/><BR/>After the infant had been in the parking lot for more than 20 minutes, the new parents came out and tried to drive away, police said. But the cops detained the couple, Krystal Rose Downes, 24, and Jhimy Alban Vintimilla, 28, and charged them with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child, according to a Southampton Police news release.<BR/><BR/>Downes told the police that she wasn't endangering her baby, "because after all, she didn't leave the baby out in the cold," and "she made sure she left the vehicle running so the heat could be kept on," police said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-84602014605697541992008-05-04T17:07:00.000-04:002008-05-04T17:07:00.000-04:00Yes, seeing Eight Belles die hurt like hell. But a...Yes, seeing Eight Belles die hurt like hell. But anyone who watches the races regularly knows something like this is an anomaly.<BR/><BR/>That's why the NYT's race coverage today ticked me off. It played down to the stereotype of the typical Times reader and insulted the intelligence of people who follow the sport.<BR/><BR/>Rhoden sounded like an idiot. Jane Smiley's essay was gibberish. And, as if to reinforce the idea that horse racing is horrible, the NYT's sports editors decided to run a six-column photo of Eight Belles in her death throes. At least Joe Drape did a reasonably decent job.<BR/><BR/>At least the Daily News, perhaps the last daily newspaper in America with decent racing coverage, didn't stoop to the NYT's level.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-66798381682247403212008-05-04T17:03:00.000-04:002008-05-04T17:03:00.000-04:00Thank you Alan for you commentary as it is appreci...Thank you Alan for you commentary as it is appreciated by those of us who do love racing despite all its flaws.<BR/><BR/>I met Larry Jones last year at Saratoga and was a supporter of Hard Spun. He's a straight shooter who would put the welfare of a horse well ahead of any 'glory'. The same goes for Rick Porter who knew 'when to say when' with Rockport Harbor and other runners not performing up to form.<BR/><BR/>Neither Rick nor Larry put Eight Belles in harmsway by entering her in the Derby or just running her in general. Period. She rose to the occasion and took a solid 2nd to a freak runner - BB.<BR/><BR/>Her fatal injuries could not have been predicted and it cannot be attributed to going 1 1/4 mi, facing the boys, running on dirt, or any other conjured up fault that throws Porter or Jones under the bus.<BR/><BR/>For as much as some cling to the Ruffian theory of girls shouldn't face the boys, that is just idiotic. <BR/><BR/>What perhaps irks me the most is the hijacking of this sport by agenda-based people who just hate the idea the horses race. Adjusting runners to only start at 4 just isn't realistic so why even blather on about it? The anti-racing wouldn't stop there anyhow. They would just take that victory and demand more and more. <BR/><BR/>The New York Times it seems as of late has been on a really against horses in general: from their Eventing coverage to the wretched 'review' of the First Saturday in May to now the knee jerk, sensationalized article on Eight Belles.<BR/><BR/>What all of this seems to beg as a basic question - if we effectively outlawed racing what becomes of TB horses in our society? Do they take jobs in the accounting industry? Perhaps are retrained as baristas at Starbucks? Learn to make soccer balls for a nickle a day for Wal-Mart? A race horse is a race horse, that is their purpose and drive.<BR/><BR/>Eight Belles was a beautiful filly and I liked her a lot. I thought it took moxy to enter her but with 9 prior convincing efforts she was well seasoned and mixed with her 17-hand frame she could take any possible bumping. It is repugnant that anyone or any organization might try to use her in martyrdom to further paint racing as one notch above dog fighting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com