Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Pedigree Ann — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:05:48 GMT

I was sure Brass Hat was going to be the next John Henry. He blasted the Eastern 'glamour' colts in the Ohio and Indiana Derbies, and when he came back from his first injury, galloped away with the Donn H.

But after the second serious injury, he wasn't the same Brass Hat. Yes, he won the Mass Cap and set a track record at CD for 1 1/16, but the world-class brilliance was gone. But he still has the desire and will to race and shouldn't be denied if he is well enough.

I have been going to the Rolex 3-day at the Horse Park since it started having it in the 1970s. Those horses go blasting across country for miles, jumping enormous fences, and have to be fit enough to jump big stadium jumps the next day. The typical ages for eventers is 10-12, and some of the world championship competitors were in their middle 'teens, and the best have significant TB in their pedigrees or are full TBs. As TBs mature, they may lose the 2yo sprinter speed, but they often gain in stamina.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Soldier Course — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:48:06 GMT

I was thrilled to have the honor of seeing Brass Hat win the Sycamore Stakes last week at Keeneland, with my friend from Sycamore, SC.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

needler in Virginia — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:35:41 GMT

Okey dokey, folks..........anyone out there think Brass Hat should be retired NOW??????? Well, if you still do, then you can put his Sycamore win in your pipe and smoke it.........'cause what you've been smokin' hasn't really worked, has it?

Cheers and safe trips.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Jeffrey lopez — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:22:02 GMT

Also for anyone who has birds I hear bloodhorse magazine is the best for birdcage lining. Nothing against the great magazine Bloodhorse..... It's just unmatched in it's ability to absorb feces.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Gate to Wire — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:18:30 GMT

I hope all of you fools that posted on here saying that Brass Hat should be retired saw him win the Grade 3 Sycamore Stakes today at Keeneland.

He looked great and showed no sign of needing retirement.

It's a good idea to leave the training to real trainers who have spent their lives working with horses.

These horses are bred and born to run. They are not china dolls who should be retired every time they don't win.

It's this attitude that has robbed us of too many horses the last 10 years.

I hope Jess Jackson watched Brassie win today. Rachel should still be racing too!!!!

Go Get Em Brassie!!!!

I hope you last another few years

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Jeffrey lopez — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:16:35 GMT

Hope you guys caught the 8th race at keeneland today. If not Brass Hat spanked the field!!!!!

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

OLD TIMER — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:01:07 GMT

Old Brass Hat goes today in The Sycamore against two other old timers, Presious Passion and Musketier. Three good old boys going a mile and one half. It doesn't get any better! Good Luck Brass Hat!

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Bob Brown — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:23:06 GMT

Truly it is a tragedy that trainers like Buff, owners like Fred and the many lives and jobs they and others like them support, are run out of the state by the sanctimonious legislators who turn a blind eye to a premier industry that brings acclaim and respect to Kentucky and sustenance to its people.

Having watched Brass Hat in sickness and in health I think he is in his prime. At some later point, like the Roman emperor Caligula's favorite horse Incitatus, he should be appointed to the senate.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Larry S. Easton, PA — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 03:29:53 GMT

I have had the honor to meet Brass Hat and talk with Buff Bradley. I'm a 40+ year horse player and fan. I've seen them all. Brass Hat is my all time favorite. What he has overcome to accomplish in his career is incredible. I have the utmost respect for Buff and Fred Bradley. They will NEVER do anything that is not in the best interest of Brass Hat. He's a happy thoroughbred race horse, I'm certain. A champion, who wants to run. When he tells them otherwise, they will know. Go get 'em Brassie.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Vespone — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:20:58 GMT

I see that Brass Hat worked a 5 furlong bullet at Keeneland this morning (fastest of 45). Isn't it time he were retired?

Just kidding, keep up the good fight. Maybe someday Turfway will again attract a horse of Brass Hat's stature to run, and not just to visit.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

rolo — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:16:24 GMT

Tom best article yet IMO. spot on about racing in ky. great write up man.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Russell maiers — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 02:56:40 GMT

Brass Hat is a really good race horse and you are right, he is what horse racing should be all about.

I hope this is his last fall racing and he gets a great retirement.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Bet Twice — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:27:59 GMT

Thanks to Brass Hat and his connections for taking part in the Turfway promotion. As a racing fan, I really appreciate the opportunities to see and interact with my favorite racing stars. I can't commend them enough for keeping him happy and racing at age 9.

As a fan, I really appreciate these types of events and all the increased publicity surrounding Rachel Alexandra last year and Zenyatta this year. It's really fun to see videos of them working or eating a carrot or goofing off with photographers. I know creating stars isn't going to help the gamblers or the owners/trainers who are trying to make a living, but I think the publicity surrounding Zen (and Rachel last year) really helped to create new fans of the sport. Hopefully more fans, means more money - which is good for everyone.

I hope the success of some of these older horses, will encourage more owners/trainers to keep their stars racing. Racing Zenyatta at 6 really breathed new life into the nearly moribund California racing scene. Seeing the fans turn out and cheer her on has been really remarkable. The horses are the stars of horse racing and the sport needs to do a better job showcasing them and making them accessible to the racing fans who support them.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

BobCens — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 19:23:18 GMT

re: KY Thoroughbred Industry

How about the next time these legislators want tickets to the Derby, Bluegrass Stakes, etc., they are denied unless they have voted for racetrack slots?

Let's not reward ignorance.I know that's foreign to Kentuckians, but it's time.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

My Take — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 21:19:24 GMT

What's worse, is it's such a slow, grinding, deliberate kind of death. New York, Maryland, California and the Motherland. Each degrading an inch a day. Everyday.

Turf writers, bloggers, internet junkies, everywhere you read, for several years now, talking about the decline of an industry that once was at the apex of all of sport.

It's maddening and horrifying and the most disgusting part is how slow it is dying.

The Lord knows I love horses and this once great sport, but I am at the point of saying KILL IT ALREADY (so I can move on), or rivive it to it's former glory. This digging a grave an inch a day is just too damn much. It's become a sport of "Woe's Me" from the top down and it's becoming unbearable.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

quarterhossgal — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:13:25 GMT

I have enjoyed watching Brass Hat run! He is a champion of the hard working unsung heros of racing. He should be retired when the handlers and his trainer and owner determine it is time. He could have a second career like several of the great geldings as a lead pony. I have watched racing decline in Nebraska the last 10 years, our old Aksarben race track, where Jack Van Berg won 4000-5000 races is now a shopping center and some college dorms. The legislators in our state and the public that didn't fight for tax breaks let this happen. Speak up for Kentucky!

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

donkeyhotey — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:29:42 GMT

thanks for the info tlamarra! i am planning my dream trip to KY next year to see stallions and racing, and morning workouts have always been a part of my ritual. wonder why churchill doesn't follow suit, weird. thanks again~

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

JerseyTom — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 21:31:14 GMT

donkeyhotey: That is not the case at other tracks in KY. U can watch workouts from the apron at Keeneland and Turfway for sure.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Mike Relva — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 21:25:53 GMT

IAN:

I've as much right to an opinion as you, it's called democracy!

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Aleine in VA — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:59:35 GMT

ToBigRedForever,

"Loss of interest in the sport" has to do with the dumbing down of America. Too many kids born in the 80s (and don't tell me you don't see this at every turn), who were electronically babysat or lugged around Cabbage Patch dolls are the mindless adults of today: Maybe it was the weird clothing style of the 80s?

When I go to the local track it is to study the horses in person once I've read the program. For the big races I've learned the horses' names and track records all year as well as the 2-year-olds' talents, for Derby hopefuls. All of this takes time and the ability to turn off the t.v. and learn about the horses out there every year.

Whatever distracts the public at large, it ain't good. Maybe Nascar fans have outnumbered the horse racing fans (they don't usually like both cars and horses). The collective attention span of Americans today consists of who knows what. The public at large has also forgotten that the equine athletes on the tracks ARE athletes just like their pro football teams and the like.

It wouldn't hurt to see kids at the track who are genuinely being schooled by their parents rather than sent over to the moon bounce or face painting booth. What's THAT all about? My Dad must be turning over in his grave right about now.

Tipsy the clown at the track?! Moon bounces and carnival attractions?! What a sacrilege.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

donkeyhotey — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:15:10 GMT

TO BRING IN A NEXT GENERATION OF RACING FANS: Why doesn't Churchill Downs let anyone, even for a fee, come watch morning workouts?? Is this true of other tracks in KY? My 24 yr. old daughter and a gang of her friends were there for WEG, she talked them into driving up to Louisville to Churchill for morning works as we have done at other tracks around the u.s. for so many years. They wouldn't let them in unless they had a trainers license! And they were very rude to the entire group of 20 somethings. Great way to entice a new generation. I read about Turfway's promotional idea, thought it was GREAT and that all tracks should follow suit, then heard what happened at Churchill, STUPID, STUPID, STUPID. I hope this isn't true at other tracks as well, I've never had a problem anywhere else.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Aleine in VA — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 06:34:06 GMT

Um...just a thought here. Could the exodus of the horse racing industry out of Ky indicate that OTHER states may become the "New Ky?" If so...then o.k. Hey...I remember my Dad telling me what a great state for the horse industry his native Maryland used to be.

He was very proud of Maryland racing. So....is this just progress? And a step into the 21st century? Many more people in states other than Ky trying to throw their hats into the horse racing ring??

Frankly, and ..if I had big bucks at hand....I would try to grow a Ky Derby winning horse right here in VA.....oh yeah...another great horse industry state of yesteryear.

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

BigRedForever — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 20:04:37 GMT

Great post Mr. Bradley!

Great article Tom L!

It is refreshing to see a writer call it as it is, and an owner/trainer team that continues to "get it" and "get it right" when it comes to managing and caring for these amazing gifts that are the thoroughbreds. Brass Hat is an example proving, albeit with a little luck, that a productive career ON THE TRACK is possible far beyond their sophomore year. Knowing when to run them, when not to run them and when to turn them out for a break is a skill needed by far more shed row staffers than we have at this time.

As for the Kentucky politicians' continued failures in promoting and preserving the very industry that supports the state in various forms by providing jobs and revenue that stretch far beyond the gates of Kentucky's tracks, they should be embarrassed to claim Kentucky as their constituency. Generations of families have put food on their tables in that state because of the work that racing, breeding and farming have created. Knowing this, how can they allow this industry to continue to die a slow death?

Low purses caused by the loss of interest in the sport and unfavorable tax breaks are destined to kill it one day, but the politicians are certain that it won't die on their watch, so they do nothing.

This problem is a nationwide issue that must be corrected. Some states are doing a better job than others.

Perhaps it will take the Kentucky Derby moving to Indiana to get someone's attention. Perhaps that would not be such a bad thing. If tradition truly mattered, these officials would get behind the other gaming issues on the table that could provide a light in a very dark tunnel.

...

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

Ian Tapp — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 01:31:00 GMT

Mike Relva,

Keep it real, Mike. The debate isn't about when racehorses should retire. Let the horsemen decide. It's too easy for fans to sit at home and say "He retired too soon" or "Retire him, please!!" How ridiculous. When you buy a racehorse, then you'll be able to call the shots, and I'm guessing you'll love it when the misinformed fan blogosphere critiques your every move!

Ian

re: Oh, the Things Brass Hat Could Tell Us

JerseyTom — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:24:18 GMT

This one started out on the wrong foot, so to speak, but the feedback since has made it one of the best. Thanks for looking at the situation and writing down your thoughts.