Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Slew — Fri, 20 May 2011 17:17:00 GMT

Danny from the UK...I've already had BIG dreams about the BC mile with Goldikova vs. Frankel...wouldn't that be special?

Just a slight addition, the horse with the hairline fracture to his hind leg was The Factor. Since it's already healing, it happened some time ago. The Factor's most immediate problem in the Arkansas Derby was a displaced palate.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Slew — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:11:22 GMT

Dr.D: Good 'nuff. Always luv ya!

KY Vet: IF YOU BOTHERED TO READ ANYTHING, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT ARCHX3 HAD A LATERAL CONYLAR FRACTURE OF THE LEFT FRONT LEG WITH SPLINTERING. (The leg he folded underneath him coming out of the gate). That's what the surgery was about. 2 screws have been inserted. The fracture was displaced. And name-calling is a territory of losers and and wanna-be's...which are you?

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

KY VET — Thu, 19 May 2011 21:59:09 GMT

NO SLEW! I'M SAYING THE HORSE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM...HORSES ARE UNSOUND FOR MANY REASONS...BAD CONFORMATION IS MAIN REASON..SO..IF A HORSE HAS A PROBLEM..EVEN IF THEY GET GOOD, THE PROBLEM USUALLY COMES BACK...LOOK...THE HORSE NEVER CHANGED LEADS..(INDICATING A PROBLEM) THEN STARTED TO, AND GOT REAL GOOD. SO I POSTED THAT. AND I POSTED THAT HE BOBBLED AT THE 1/8 POLE...WHICH HE DID...HOW MANY HORSES YOU SEE DO THAT? ITS NOT A GOOD THING....YOU THINK HE BROKE IT AT THE START, RIGHT? HE RAN THE WHOLE RACE....IF YOU KNOW HORSES LIKE I DO, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT HORSES GET HURT BY RACING..MOST OF THE TIME IT IS GRADUAL....WEAKENING.... BECAUSE YOU DONT KNOW ABOUT THIS STUFF IS REASON ENOUGH TO LEARN....YOU ARE JUST IGNORANT

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Dr Drunkinbum — Thu, 19 May 2011 17:30:16 GMT

Slew

I don't remember but if I was I was over it in a few minutes. I know who you are and where your heart is at. Don't worry. I appreciate your honesty in your posts anyway, and any of your sublime messages are OK with me since I've gotten to know you.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Slew — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:34:23 GMT

Zookeeper: Watched Runflatout's race, and he was superb. Lost by a nostril flare. He's learning how to pace himself, and I really did have all my fingers and toes crossed for him....next time...

Sceptre: Amen!

KY Vet: you're the one who claimed Archx3 broke his leg at the 8th pole, even though a real Vet already informed us that it was in the gate....and we all saw it. As far as your skill as a "handicapper"...hahahahahahha!

Dr. D: hope you weren't offended, as that was not my intention. Still luv ya!

Alternation finally got it right, and I was happy to see him win. I saw his first few races and thought he could be very special. And those Triple Crown dreams just won't fade...Geaux Animal Kingdom.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 18 May 2011 20:47:13 GMT

Aluminaut

Did you see Run run !!!!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Dave R. — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:52:19 GMT

Great article and super photos of Animal Kingdom. I liked him a lot in the Derby and had the exacta. He is a great looking horse and has a silky smooth way of going. He runs relaxed in a crowd and is bred to run the distance. He also has a good move in him that seems to be available whenever needed. I thought he would handle the dirt because of his smooth stride and he seemed to not be bothered by the kickback when in tight quarters during his poly races. He is also beautiful and majestic horse with a regal air about him. Did anyone notice his long ears and how pricked they were at the finish and what seem to be his oversized flaired nostrils - good for getting O2 during the race. All in all quite a formidable package with his black half blinkers. Personnaly, I think he will win the Triple Crown.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Ruffian64 — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:04:45 GMT

Steve, First of all. Great blog as usual. But I have to know. Did you take these pics? They are lovely. You always get such great pictures. I swear Im selling my expensive camera and getting what you have.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Rachel NH — Tue, 17 May 2011 16:34:15 GMT

Zookeeper, I wished I'd have been a fly on RFLO wall when he got back to the barn...what a great race! ♥

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Aluminaut — Tue, 17 May 2011 06:21:13 GMT

Yes Dr. D!

Go Animal Kingdom!

Go Runflatout!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

pinhook48 — Tue, 17 May 2011 02:29:05 GMT

Ky.vet does raise some very good points. I know what he is saying. I have owned many racehorses and the lead change is an important thing. I also looked at all of archarcharch's races, and i did see the horse do something strange in the stetch of that race. Why all the anger towards this guy? He brings some valid informative info.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 17 May 2011 01:39:42 GMT

Zookeeper

You're right, one race at a time, just a little nudge from me about my viewpoint about the best direction to take and what I think should be the goal. In my humble blogster opinion to whomever makes that decision eventhough my opinion won't matter !!!!!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

KY VET — Tue, 17 May 2011 01:27:04 GMT

SCEPTRE...SO I HAVE YOU DOWN FOR UNCLE BRENT BEING SOUND...ITS FUNNY..I KNEW YOUD COME BACK WITH THE ALYDAR THING...YOU ONLY WENT BACK 30 YEARS...YOU ASSUME ALYDAR DIDNT HAVE PROBLEMS.... WHITING ? AGAIN....WHY DID HORSE HAVE ONLY 3 STARTS? NO PROBLEMS AT ALL HUH? ITS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE...ONLY 3 STARTS+ NO LEAD IN STRETCH+ LOSES BY THAT MUCH TO A 94 BEYER AS 2ND CHOICE IN WAGERING....= DUH.....YOU THINK A 94 BEYER IS A GREAT HORSE? ITS ALW PAR......ITS NOT THAT HARD, THIS GAME.....

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Silverfoot — Tue, 17 May 2011 00:52:30 GMT

Thanks, Steve, for the wonderful article & photos. You continue to enrich our enjoyment of the sport, & I'll bet I speak for all of your readers when I say that. Your lovely description of Fair Hill brings back very pleasant memories of 2006 and Barbaro. And what a beautiful horse Animal Kingdom is - how did he manage to go almost completely under my rader before the Derby? Now I can't imagine how I overlooked him.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Alex'sBigFan — Mon, 16 May 2011 23:13:15 GMT

Wow I cannot believe the Preakness is now days away! I have to back Animal Kingdom, I want a TC winner so much and to be standing at Belmont Park to witness it. I hope Animal Kingdom is enjoying his time at lush Fair Hills, he may soon see the hustle and bustle of traffic over the GW Bridge in New York, ugh!!!!! Can you imagine the entourage and escorts his van will have if he wins the Preakness? The next possible TC winner en route to New York. Ok, Ok, I'm getting too excited and way ahead of myself but I have Polly in Lexington, KY working on my Belmont hat already!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Alex'sBigFan — Mon, 16 May 2011 22:55:15 GMT

Zookeeper,

Congratulations on your ownership and great race from your RunFlatOut!!! What a gutsy performance, I just watched the video a few times. Looks like a beautiful horse and you must be thrilled. Hope we all get to cheer him on in the BC. Best of luck to you and him!

As a person with aspirations of ownership one day myself, I wish Mr. Irwin would expound on his statement about the "lying trainers." I for one, would love to know exactly what it is that they are lying about, money, the horse's ability, medications used, what?

Great article in DRF about this, whereby Irwin clears Pletcher but has upset other trainers. I still think that as an owner he should have been more of a visionary and considered the broad scope of the day (at the KD) and sport and saved his comment for another venue. But now that he has opened the proverbial can of worms, I wish he would clarify his statement. I'm sure he is right but in light of the fact that all of America minutes before witnessed ArchX3 pull up, the comment was just another negative for the sport and out of place. I hope he explains what he meant though.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

sceptre — Mon, 16 May 2011 21:41:53 GMT

KY VET-

Allow me to add: it wouldn't matter whether or not I knew your name. I've been in this game for 50 yrs. and no name, no matter whose it may be, would ring true as one that was able to earn his living from wagering on horses.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

sceptre — Mon, 16 May 2011 21:33:36 GMT

KY VET-

saying now that "I think he has problems" is a far cry from your earlier post wherein you stated "UNCLE BRENT HURT..EASED". And yes, you're right about one thing-I think you don't know what you're talking about, and I doubt very much that you make a living from betting on horses. Incidentally, failure to change leads is far from the be all that ends all. Oftentimes, particularly with inexperienced horses, it can mean little or nothing. On another note, Alydar often failed to change leads, yet his career was rather productive. I'm not suggesting that failure to change leads should be ignored, but in the case of Uncle Brent (if, in fact he didn't change leads in his first two starts) Whiting is well aware of the potential ramifications, and if he believed that the horse wasn't sound (I'm also sure the horse was well vetted before purchase), he wouldn't have had Cella buy him. So, yes, I'm ignoring your superficial nonsense. You know what they say about a little bit of knowledge. You've already dug your grave by offering an out and out statement "....HURT..EASED" for which you had no basis in fact. Why then should one accept anything you have to say---including your prowess at wagering?

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

calico cat — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:57:14 GMT

To the Texans Karen & Linda/ Catherine/Dr Drunkinbum,

Thank you for your very kind comments and your continued support through my adventure as a part-owner of this wonderful young horse. I'm delighted with his valiant effort and wouldn't be prouder if he won the race. Garrett Gomez gave him an excellent ride and Runflatout came out of the race in top shape, safe, sound and on his toes. (What more could I possibly wish for?)

...and Dr D., just as in the Triple Crown Quest, one race at a time, one race at a time. :)

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

KY VET — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:35:56 GMT

ALTERNATION= 94 BEYER!!!!WHOOOOOO LOOK OUT!!!! HES THE BEST OF HIS GENERATION!!!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

KY VET — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:57:49 GMT

SCEPTRE! HORSES HAVE PROBLEMS..AND YES. I THINK HE HAS PROBLEMS...DO YOU NOT KNOW NO LEAD CHANGE IS A BAD SIGN?....I KNOW IT IS. SO WHAT IS YOUR POINT? THAT I DONT KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT? THAT I DONT MAKE A LIVING OFF THIS GAME?...HOW ABOUT A CHALLENGE? THAT WOULD BE FUN! YOU PICK THE TRACK. WHOLE CARD.....I CANNOT TELL YOU MY REAL NAME, BUT YOU MIGHT KNOW OF ME.....YOU OVERREACT TO ONE RACE...I'M A PRO HANDICAPPER...AND YES, I DID SAY SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ARCH ARCH ARCH......YOU DONT GET THAT TRAINERS/OWNERS/VETS DONT ALWAYS KNOW......YOU CAN SEE THINGS IN A HORSES STRIDE...THAT CAN TELL YOU...

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

mz — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:46:13 GMT

Danny UK: Workforce coming back as good this year?

Midday vs. Snow Fairy: any chance?

Frankel: only a miler? (sorry about that "only" part)

Carlton House: how crazy will it be if the Queen wins this year???

Finally: Wesley Ward and the Americans and Ascot-- looking foreward to is.

p.s. I had Master of Hounds. I look forward to him in the Belmont as well.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Karen in Texas — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:58:53 GMT

Zookeeper---I only just saw Runflatout's race this morning. He looked really good in every way and lost by such a small margin! He will do well in the future!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:39:53 GMT

Zookeeper

Runflatout is way too tough to let a misadventure into The Triple Crown Trail get him down as it does many of them. He is a talented and tough world class sprinter. I hope they point to the BC Sprint. Fabulous race and he showed all of the attributes of a great race horse despite losing by a nose. Thanks agsin for starting us many months ago and allowing us to share this journey from the beginning when you decided to let us know that you had decided to become a first time owner in a minority position, and let me be clear- I have no bias against minorities !!!! Give the little fella (or big fella) a big kiss from us for an outstanding job. Thrilling race and I love his talent, class, and fortitude. He's my hero, and now back to The Triple Crown and let's hope we get one, and Runflatout wins the BC Sprint to make 2011 a perfect year. Go Animal Kingdom!!!! Go Runflatout !!!!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: A Morning at Fair Hill

Linda in Texas — Mon, 16 May 2011 01:36:22 GMT

SCEPTRE - You might as well try and swim up the Mississippi River today as to figure out what KY VET is saying.

It's like trying to play Scrabble with him and he is holding all the letters!

ZOOKEEPER - That was an exciting race. Runflatout looked super. And

he was indeed 'running flat out' as fast as he could while digging in and stretching out. I watched the race then the video 4 times. He is a beautiful colt and his coat looks shiny and he has put on some weight and i thought he had Bench Points beat. He sure as heck had his game face on. One bob did it.

But he will win one, be sure of that.