Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

feeling the chill — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:27:49 GMT

EXCUSE ME THE GLASS IS HALF FULL!

The media can focus on plenty of other stories.For instance there was someone who went to a horse sale in Kentucky to bet his money that he could find a horse he could buy for $60,000 dollars that he could train and sell in a few months and make a profit or maybe he would lose all that money and more. Now that's gambling. One roll of the dice 60 grand and sell him he did. How sweet it is. So another gambling horseman takes his chance and buys the horse to race with all his excitement and dreams knowing the odds are about 20/1 of success and he dreams and pays bills until lightning in a jar hits and he sells the horse and becomes a millionaire! But wait there is more.Some new fellas with a way to beat the game {how many times have we heard this one]step in and pay all this money and guess what They WIN THE DERBY. Now they have a horse that's worth 50 million dollars.By the way these are guys that look to be in their 30s.

The stories are there. How about some enthusiastic writers. There is still no more thrilling moment than to own a racehorse coming down to the wire.You can enjoy it at 18 or 80.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

mia — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:26:38 GMT

Eight Belles was beautiful but a very tall but light boned filly. She was 17 hands but her bone structure was like that of a much smaller filly. One of the TV commentators compared her to Winning Colors and the other said no, she is taller but not as heavy as Winning Colors. Breeders do need to try to breed more durable horses, and not just go for the quick dollar. I wouln't think of breeding to a stud who breaks down as a 2 year old or a mare who never makes it to the races. And poeple who buy these horses: stop paying the top dollar for less durable pedigrees.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Janesville Liz — Sun, 11 May 2008 22:28:39 GMT

I worry about Big Brown going to stud and passing his iffy feet off to future generations. And have you studied his pedigree--he is inbred 3x3 to Northern Dancer, to Damascus 3x4, and to Round Table 4x5. he also carries three crosses of the mare Goody Two-Shoes--he is a tail female descendant, and Nureyev and Lt. Stevens trace to her in the direct female line. Now granted, Northern Dancer, Damascus, and Round table are nothing to sneeze at in a pedigree, but I worry about the extreme inbreeding. Big Brown is sired by a son of Northern Dancer, out of a mare by a son of Northern Dancer. This is like the extreme inbreeding tactics used a century by Elizabeth Daingerfield when it came to the blood of Domino. The stallion Ultimus was by Commando, a son of Domino, and was out of a Domino mare. Ultimus's son, High Time, compounded things even further, by being produced from a Domino mare. Ultimus never ran, and High Time needed an oxygen tank after three furlongs. That type of inbreeding was not good for the breed then, and I do not believe we should be pursuing it now. The Thoroughbred industry needs to start thinking of the almighty dollar and fashionaability. Pleasantly Perfect, by the stout Pleasant Colony out of an Affirmed mare, is an outstanding prospect to try and inject some stoutness into today's Thoroughbred. But because he developed late, and does not seem the type to beget speedy precocious youngsters, he toils in relative obscurity at Lane's End. All you hear about is A.P. Indy and Smart Strike--they are fashionable. Well. I loved both Bernardini and Rags to Riches, but the former was whisked off to stud with almost indecent haste at the peak of his powers, and Rags to Riches proved her fragility--the stress of winning the Belmont she never recovered from, in my opinion.

Premium Tap is another possibility for injecting much-needed stoutness. Bred along similar lines to Pleasantly Perfect--by a son of Pleasant Colony with Affirmed on the bottom, he is also inbred 3x4 to Stage Door Johnny, one of the best sources of stamina you could wish for. But what did we do--we let Premium Tap get away and race in Saudi Arabia.

Breeders want a fashionably-bred yearling to bring big bucks at auction, owners want a speedy return on their investment, and to hell with stamina and soundness. As long as we have a Storm Cat-line yearling prospect, or some other "fashionable" sire, who will bring big money, who cares if it later breaks down on the track. We need to promote these horses like Pleasantly Perfect and Premium Tap as golden opportunities to bring in some new "old" reliable stout blood back into the breed, and not be sending overpriced, inbred, and barely tried horses off to stud when a lucrative deal comes along. My own opinion is that Big Brown's people are "businessmen", not "horsemen." There is a huge difference.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Street1 — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:47:22 GMT

The sport of kings. Its all about the almighty dollar. Yes, the trainer loved this filly. The owner loved this filly and Im sure they love all the horses in their barn. They all get excellent care. The best in nutrition, the best vet care, the best in everything, that is, as long as their winning. There are so many things wrong with this industry. It is a mess. Yes, radical changes are necessary. We need a racing commissioner to over see the entire industry and it needs to be over hauled. From breeding, medication,age of horses racing,retired race horses etc... and most of all zero tolerance for those that don't follow the rules. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!! This has nothing to do with PETA!!!!!! and everything to do with saving this sport and these horses we all love so much.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Terry — Sat, 10 May 2008 20:45:23 GMT

I agree with the need to race without any medication, but I think Lasix should be an exception. Ontario's main track, Woodbine, is on the flight path from Toronto International Airport. Jets are going overhead at relatively low altitudes all the time, and that alone significantly reduces air quality. A nearby major highway adds to the problem. How many tracks are located in areas with significant air pollution from freeways, airports or factories? Most, I expect. Since the tracks can't be moved to unpolluted areas, Lasix should be allowed to help these horses breathe.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Johnny — Sat, 10 May 2008 16:05:43 GMT

I get the impression that American racing has grown too dependent on a Triple Crown winner to bring the sport to the limelight. How can we hope to have a horse sweep all three races, when we don't breed them for stamina, durability, and soundness, but focus instead on speed, speed, and more speed?

We want to see a still young three-year-old run 10 furlongs, 9.5 furlongs, and 12 furlongs, all within a 5-week period, the only time in his entire career when he'll probably be subjected to these kinds of tests, while carrying 126 pounds (5-lb allowance for fillies). We don't even race our older horses like this and when was the last time you even saw an older horse carry 126 pounds in a major stakes race?

Even if a horse does win the Triple Crown, the euphoria will be mostly within the racing community, will be (and should be) short-lived, as John Q. Public will be bittersweet about the achievement under a shroud of tragedy that we saw in the Ky Derby. Not only that, but chances are the horse winning all three races will be whisked off to the breeding shed for his enormous stallion value, after maybe, and I emphasize "maybe" he gets a Breeders' Cup race into him. And by the way, our last two Triple Crown winners both raced at the age of four.

Breed sounder horses, emphasize stamina over speed, and then the Triple Crown, if and when won, would be all the more sweeter to enjoy.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Ohio Bred Girl — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:56:14 GMT

I understand that in certain show disciplines, horses are not allowed to breed unless they can pass a rigorous test for soundness. A similar policy would greatly benefit Thoroughbred racing. We must also institute regulations that restrict the number of mares a stallion may cover and incidents of inbreeding. Eight Belles's death was of course heartbreaking, and when I saw her sire was Unbridled's Song, my heart sank further. She carried a time-bomb gene.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

RaceOwner — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:57:28 GMT

We all need to stop pointing fingers and start looking at the big picture here. Radical change is usually not the answer to anything. We need to look at several factors here breeding,racing and training surfaces, race day medications ect... Horses seemed much more sound in the 70's and previous years. There is no one answer to this very complex question. Lets all become part of the solution not part of the problem by accusing people or the industry when you may have little or no insight to base your accusations on. If everyone could work together we can fix these problems. We will never totally eliminate breakdown and injuries but we can make them less frequent.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Kelly — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:25:21 GMT

As an avid fan of the TB, and a future professional in the industry, I agree with many that there are major factors contributing to this problem that have nothing to do with an honourable, good trainer and a young jockey who gave a great filly a good ride. I agree with others that breeding is the root of the problem. Too much inbreeding, with much emphasis on speed and rapid growth, and little consideration for stamina and soundness is the root of the problem. Sound horses can withstand the rigors of training without cocktails of drugs and can run beyond their 3yo season. Lets do away with the drugs, put more purse money into the longer and older horse races, and keep them out of the breeding shed a little longer. Of course all of this ties back to the money, but it would be worth it in my opinion. I also like the suggestion someone made of dedicating a small percentage of purse money to some sort of fund/organization set up to focus on research in prevention and treatment of injury, and post-racing career care, as this would be something tangible the uneducated could look at to see how much the industry cares about its stars. Just a few cents from a devoted, but shaken fan. From the claimers to the George Washingtons, I think there is more that can and should be done.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

GENERATION3 — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:34:56 GMT

I keep seeing posts where people are saying PETA may have it right.

picture the world the way it would be if PETA has it"s way. no companion animals(even a parakeet),no seeing eye or service dogs,cats,horses,mules or other equines,no zoos or wildlife parks . no bird watching or camera safaris,no rodeos or kids gymkannas. kind of sounds like a drab dreary place does it not.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

joe — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:21:14 GMT

Read the breaking news: Big Brown's owners are near a stallion deal on the colt, now insured at 50 million dollars. I salute their success and recognize sound business decisions, but the Big Brown team is not a public relations dream. Although, owner/ spokesman Michael Iavarone ALONE showed presentation stand CLASS extending sympathy to Eight Belles' connections; he made the others-the governor, Downs chief honcho and the YUM guy-appear incapable of forming an unscripted thought. Racing needs more human images like Smooth Air's trainer, especially in light of Saturday. Unlike Barbaro and even Ruffian, there are no heroes in the tragedy of Eight Belles. Thank God her story has at least provoked a range of questions from the general public to the racing fan. The George Washington/Breeders'Cup tragedy was quickly disposed of by all, it seems. I recall fan outrage and questioning at the early, injury related retirements of Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex. I would have loved to see them race on to greater glory, but not at the risk of a breakdown. Now, as plans are made for Big Brown's blood to impact future generations, we must not hide from legitimate questions about breeding, drugs and racing surfaces.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Eilise — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:55:08 GMT

To John Lex, Ky: Excellent post, I hope you're flooding the internet with it. And despite the fact that you're in your twenties, your argument is one of the most mature I've heard on this subject.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Liz — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:15:08 GMT

selective breeding over many generations has brought the racing industry to this sad situation. No jockey or whip had anything to do with the fillies injuries. Her physical structure was determined by her breeding not her trainer. Watch the video of Eight Belles running and see how her front end strikes the ground, then watch Big Brown. The colt has a softer smoother way of striking the ground. The filly has a stiffer way of striking the ground due to her shorter, straighter pasterns. The colt has a better angle on his longer pasterns and he does not have the increased impact on his front ankles that the filly experienced. This is an inherited trait that unfortunately caused the filly to suffer from double condylar fractures. This is an injury that experienced horsemen have seen in other horses with similar build. PETA may have the best of intentions, but their methods are flawed. There are many things this industry can do to improve, including continuing the research for improved track surfaces, and wiser breeding practices, but suspending an honest hard-working jockey serves no purpose. The horse was sound during the entire race, her injury and her collapse happened in the blink of an eye. Neither the outrider who saw it happen, nor the jockey who felt the first bad step and then the collapse could have stopped the death of Eight Belles. It was just a spontaneous collapse. As much as this truth does not fit the political needs of PETA, sometimes there is no one to blame, terrible accidents just happen.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Mike — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:29:54 GMT

I think what bothers most people,myself included,is watching this magnificent creature run her guts/eyeballs/heart out to her demise.What a reward.As a long time owner,breeder and fan it was truly a sad and tragic moment.Probably nobodys fault. Unfortunately the same mental traits that made her great were the main cause of this sad ending.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Noelle — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:43:42 GMT

I have to answer Morgan's suggestion that Lasix & Bute should be allowed.

Bill Finley (ESPN.com) makes a very specific and convincing case against the use of Lasix, noting the relative soundness of racehorses back in 1970 - pre Lasix - and tracing the steady decline in soundness which directly parallels the steady increase of Lasix use in one jurisdiction after another, until NY finally caved in the mid-90s.

Like William Nack, like Andrew Beyer, Finley is convinced that use of Lasix (and other currently allowed drugs) is directly responsible for the decline in racehorse soundness.

He says (and I agree), “Nature didn't intend for horses to be competing on drugs. If they have problems, bleeding or otherwise, the proper treatment is rest. If they are chronic bleeders they shouldn't be racing at all and they certainly shouldn't be bred so that they can pass on their problems to a whole new generation. Drugs like Lasix may be a quick fix, but they do more harm than good in the long run. Every piece of evidence suggests that horses with problems who are pumped full of drugs will implode sooner rather than later.”

I think the operative word in his argument above is “competing.” No one would suggest that a chronic bleeder be denied Lasix – that would be cruel. But racing is a tough, physically demanding sport. Horses should not be given drugs to mask infirmities of any sort.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

sue — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:29:02 GMT

Breed to sounder bloodlines, race without medications, don't push them too early.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

C Bea — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:28:28 GMT

Eight Belle's spectacular performance in the Derby was a great surprise. Her breaking down was a tragedy but truly not a surprise when you consider that she's by the notoriously questionable (from the soundness of his off-spring perspective) Unbridled's Song.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

peter — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:44:07 GMT

I agree completely with Jill. Does anybody doubt that Big Brown, with his patchwork, will be shipped to a breeding farm on June 8, the day after the Belmont -- if he makes it that far? I am very fearful that the Derby champ won't be able to hold together for the Triple Crown. I also perceive that the entire industry (save Alex Waldrop at NTRA) is hunkering down and going into hiding. No, we don't need knee-jerk decisions but we need industry leaders who are willing to acknowledge major problems exist and that it's time to the address real reforms before racing fans like me, who read the Blood-Horse every day, go away.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Lecy — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:11:35 GMT

In all sports there is a chance that someone could be hurt,maimed or yes even die. Eight Belles was a sports athlete, one of the best in the sport, and she gave her all to her sport. Anyone that saw her prancing out to the paddock her ears pricked, checking out the competition on Derby Day had to know she loved what she did. Her death was a tragic and unexplained accident, not a willful nor vengeful act by anything or anyone. She represented herself and all the other equine athletes with pride, strenght and dignity, and that is the way she should always be remembered. My prayers and thoughts are with Mr. Jones, Mr. Porter, Mr. Saez and all those who had the priviledge of being able to enjoy her in life, and who now mourn her in death.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Terry — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:36:44 GMT

Inbreeding, not yet really, but it is starting, and it will become a big problem in the next few years. There are too many related stallions serving 130 or more mares per stallion every season, some twice as many as that if they shuttle. It's skewing the gene pool. How many race-bred Thoroughbred stallions in North America do not have Bold Ruler, Mr. Prospector, Northern Dancer or even all three in their first three or four generations? Not many. I would estimate between 5 and 10 percent. Where have the other sire lines gone? They are available if you look, but everyone passes them by to breed to a famous-line sire. Breeders must start breeding for greater diversity. They have to stop breeding to a fast horse that is unsound and produces unsound offspring, no matter how fast they are, pr at least immediately outcrossing for strength and soundness in the next generation. And a horse should not be raced until after its actual third birthday. Trained (carefully!), yes, but not raced. They're backing colts that are barely a year old in order to get them to the races, and these horse may race months before the animal's actual second birthday. That is inhumane. If all the traditional stakes were shifted up one year (so Derbies would be for 4-year-olds, for example), it would be better for the horses. I also wonder why jumpers, eventers and reiners compete with leg protection, but so many racehorses do not. There are sports boots available now if bandages aren't suitable. Wouldn't it be safer for all racehorses to run with leg protection on all four legs? Just something I've pondered for years.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

KDFA — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:05:13 GMT

My sympathy goes out to all of Eight Belles connections. I feel so bad when any of those beautiful horses break down.Its the sad and ugly part of racing and tends to make a person lose interest in watching it. I feel that there should be some changes made in racing. I think that 20 horses is too many to be entered in a race And I also think that the fillies should not race the colts. I would prefer that a whip not be used at all, but if it is needed to help control the horse then it should be made from materials that would not leave welps on the horse.Most of them are giving their all and running their best.I think that there is too much greed in the racing industry by some. Win at all cost.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

John Lex, Ky — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:49:27 GMT

Hey PETA,

Have a little foresight and realize that and end to thoroughbred racing means:

Hundreds of thousands of horses with no economic purpose. Which, sustains their ability to live in this modern world, or go the way of the buffalo or become like cattle. But it may lower the price of dog food that you could use to save all those dogs you will kill this year.

Billions of dollars will disappear!

A few hundred thousand people without jobs, which whom know nothing else but horses. Better watch your back when that happens.

Millions of acres of land, that took very long to make suitable for horses, will be worth .20 on the dollar and most likely be developed for suburbs and the environmental impact that will have could be a far greater tragedy that might add to the extiction rates around the world of many animals, and further collapse the market and cause more animals to starve because their owners can't afford to feed them. I'll move to Australia where people appreciate the sport and accept that the rate of 1 in a 1000 go down. Can't you get it through all that synthetic fur on your heads that that ratio is spectacularly low.

The Thoroughbred racing and breeding world is full of great people from all walks of life. I have been in and around it for all of mine. I have seen many bad and good people playing a role in it, but the good outnumber the bad, 600-1. You'll be paying taxes when you cash that bet!

I am in my 20's but I have been to many tracks, hundreds of farms, and seen thousands upon thousands of horses, and I'll be honest, in my opinion 1% percent of those horses are poorly managed and treated inhumanely, 4% are not managed with good intentions but will turn out ok, and the other 95% are probably better cared for than you (PETA) could ever so righteously say you would care for them. And, we have hard working people that make it their job to punish wrongdoing and mistreatment.

Let our business alone, it is always evolving and will fix itself for the better, I believe. We are some of the sharpest people in any business in the the world and won't keep practising a few methods that are now evident in causing a major problem for our sport in America. Because we have to have public support and $2 wagers and TV ratings. And, we want the best for all our animals, BECAUSE THERE IS NO SPORT OR BUSINESS WITHOUT THEM being bred and raised to be healthy, sturdy, and reproductive creatures.

I'm not sorry to write so much and could say alot more, but all of you insiders that check this website many times a day for your industry news, need to speak up and share your side of our world, to even out all the negative comments from all the Barbaro huggers that latch on to the PETA train. Thats all I ever see in these comment sections. Let the horse be, people! And didn't his connections not show you the compassion and care that we show for these animals. There are many every day that are not derby winners and might not have even been seriously hurt that are given the very same kind of care.

Stop jumping on bandwagons.

And PETA, I disagree with your org. on many things, but you do get alot of attention when you want it. The media loves you. Please focus your efforts on more serious problems in the world. We are on the right track, you are just wasting your time and hurting us by making it look like we are not towards an uninformed public.

Horsemen, you better get your image to be seen in better way, because the nation is believing PETA's protrayal. Your PR is very far behind right now!

Please,

Breed to race, or don't do it at all.

Thanks,

and sorry to call some of you Barbaro huggers. I cry too, when I see any animal suffer.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Dona — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:25:21 GMT

A great filly had a freak accident and we grieve for her loss but please stop clumping everything bad about racing into her last hurrah. She ran great, she proved she belonged in the Derby, and her owners and trainer deserve our respect. Was her breakdown planned? Of course not and just because it was televised doesn't mean the end is near for racing. Are there greedy and heartless people in this industry? you bet. Are there trainers out there that should be banned for life because they dope their horses? you bet. Does racing have a serious PR problem? you bet. Jockeys get 10% of the purse, why can't the horse? That 10% could go for the care, retirement, and health issues for all horses. Do that one thing and they won't have a PR problem. The public would grieve for a fallen hero but take comfort knowing the industry was doing everything possible for the horse.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Tamara — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:18:36 GMT

I have been a diehard racing fan since the 1st time I attended a race in 1999. This has been the only sport that I faithfully follow, read books about and am totally passionate about. That is until now. I've excused too many racing related deaths and that of Eight Belles is one too many. Her death is a disgrace that I cannot shake from my mind. I didn't see her run in any races, didn't know a thing about her until the weeks leading up to the Derby yet I'm as heartbroken as someone who saw her daily. There's something different about what happened with her that I cannot put my finger on it except to say it seems her horrific injuries could have been prevented (other than the obvious not racing her at all). Although I have a genuine respect for all animals and their rights I have never been an activist for them but I must say I 100% side with PETA. The racing industry has not done enough to try to prevent these things from happening, PERIOD, NO EXCUSES. I'm disgusted at the number of times I've heard or read "It's just the dark side of racing, what can we do?". A whole hell of a lot could be done but it isn't. If we are going to use these animals for our own pleasure (which if you're honest with yourself you know this is what the sport really boils down to) everything should be done to protect them from dying as a result of our desires. I've always had a problem with the use of whips and they should be banned. A recent quote from the great Jerry Bailey " most horses will give you all they have without the use of a whip" drives it home for me. As a former horse owner I believe him as I believe the frantic whipping of Eight Belles down the stretch was what probably did her in. It's not her jockeys "fault" as he was doing what is considered acceptable and even expected of him. I think PETA's calls for bans on whips, changing racing surfaces, and most importantly more accountability from racing leaders, jockeys and trainers are all completely reasonable and should be implemented ASAP before too many other racing fans give up and the sport continues it's downward spiral into oblivion. I really don't want to give up my love of this sport but against my own will it was taken from me the moment I saw a photo of Eight Belles with her two front legs collapsed under her with the look of utter confusion on her face. It truly is the saddest most disgusting thing I've ever seen and you're hearing this from a Nurse of 15 yrs. who has seen a lot of sad and disgusting in her lifetime.

re: Feeling the Chill - by Evan I. Hammonds

Morgan — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:57:50 GMT

This was a tragic day for the Horse Industry as a whole. I am in the show horse end of this business but appreciate the money and research funded by the Racing Industry. We need to breed for soundness in all breeds especailly those horses that are expected to perform extreme sports such as Racing, Jumping or Reining. I believe drugs should be banned from the track except for lasix and Bute which should only be allowed 12 hour before the race as in Show Horses. There are too many drugs that just mask problems. PETA has not only been after the Race Industry but the Show and Barrel Horses also.I imagine they will have something to say about the 2 horses euthanized at the Rolex Event this past weekend also. Many of these people although well meaning know nothing about horses. I own 1 old TB ex racer and have had a few others. Many make great school horses. People should see that side of the TB. LA Super One's claim to fame was not racing[ although he is a grandson of Naszrulla,] but that he let's 4 year old children ride him. Eight Belles died a horrible death. I hope someone can determine why?