Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

kincsem — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:53:52 GMT

Steve,

Mr. O'Neill's supoort of the fight against cancer is very commendable. However, your remarks about the negative press that horse racing has received are off the mark. Racing NEEDS to clean up its act. If the O'Neill barn has received violations from using the same substance (Lasix) as almost every other barn, shouldn't it raise a red flag that he has a consistent problem? And the tylenol excuse? Last time I checked, Tylenol is a pain-inhibitor; sore horses run better when they cannot feel their pain, & subsequently could break down more frequently. I have nothing against Mr. O'Neill, but I do strongly suggest that the sport would get more fans if the suspicions of foul play were resolved. For starters, have a zero-tolerance rule. Anyone who was found with cobra venom in their barn should be banned for life, but the good ole boys in this sport take care of their own. Maybe it is time for some non-racing related people to regulate the obvious cheating and mitigate the well-founded general public concerns for the safety of the animals.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Thelwell Pony — Tue, 29 May 2012 07:22:18 GMT

Giddyup & Mr. Haskin - y'all are hilarious.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

captainsmistress — Sat, 26 May 2012 21:46:50 GMT

Please God! America needs a Triple Crown Winner! We need an athlete that does not get drunk in public and obnoxious! That does not abuse women! A strong, silent type, if you will! We all need to get behind this game little grinder and cheer him to victory! Please God, let it happen this year. I am not even religious, but I am going to find God if this horse can pull this one out!

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Racingfan — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:08:07 GMT

Another fantastic article Steve!!! Thanks so much - for the the pictures too! Always look forward to your articles!!

**and FYI heatherhillary.... Alydar's blood and Affirmed's blood is one and the same since Alydar was a grandson of Native Dancer through Raise A Native and Affirmed was a great grandson of Native Dancer through Raise A Native's son Exclusive Native!

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

GoldenBroom — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:43:39 GMT

Here's hoping that the Headless. horseman Dullahan doesn't run down IHA and our triple dreams this year..

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Mike Monarchos — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:29:24 GMT

Steve,

Another great article! You should get an award for your writing.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:15:30 GMT

TerriV,

Glad you agree with me on the nasal strips. I see them more fitting into the category of "equipment" than medication. It's almost like an equipment change and they can't be any more cumbersome or appearance altering than the big shadow rolls. Don't worry, Lava Man will teach IHA to get mad and flare out his nostrils naturally so enough air gets in!!!

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Uncle Smiley — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:45:39 GMT

Steve

Bamboo and fingernails. Ouch!

Lookin forward to some great Belmont pix and observations no matter what the outcome is!

IHA, over Union Rags, over Mark Valeski.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

TerriV — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:57:13 GMT

Nasal Strips!!!! For God's Sake aren't there more important things to worry about?

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

an ole railbird — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:20:22 GMT

thank you pedigreeann. i could not say it, like that ,although i tried. that not just in this years tc. races. the press is makeing the odds in most of the big races with their bleeding heart storys. thanks for your imput.enough said "an ole railbird".

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Greg R — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:01:22 GMT

Those "certain publications" specialize in muckraking, sensationalism and persecuting the "guilty until proven innocent." The New York Times has not been a NEWSpaper for many years; it is one giant editorial page from beginning to end, with a jaundiced view of the world and a political axe to grind. Their cynical agenda makes me root all the more for Team O'Neill, for whom a Triple Crown would provide the last laugh.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:24:38 GMT

Hello bloggers it looks like the wizards have gone into their shelters.One possible reason is because of a new outcry by congress for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction that must be dug-up(I think N Korea was the aledged perpetraitor) Well what a coincedence that since they(Two Wizards)have disappeared a collection of new charaters have magically starting posting on the well worn Triple Crown Trail and this its saloon.Well that should give us the signal for each of us to create Two more charaters on this blog along with the one we already have playing.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:34:01 GMT

Ok, now I am getting annoyed at NYRA on this one issue of the nasal strips. Did they not have enough go wrong the day Big Brown ran? The plumbing in the building broke, the bathrooms were unusable, water was running on the floors, the starter was in BB's lane, BB's shoe came off, it was 95 degrees, the track was strange, and BB was pulled up in that horror show. Do they not want a TC to happen on their grounds? I should think that with state government officials having to step in they should not be so overly concerned with little nasal strips. Good grief, leave IHA alone NYRA! O'Neill should be fighting this issue hopefully. It makes no sense to me, all the equine deaths at Aqueduct and they are worried about nasal strips. Go figure.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:17:21 GMT

.....on the nasal strips, if IHA has worn them in his previous races and it was allowed why isn't it allowed in New York? This is another shining example of racing not being on the same page and where a Commissioner is needed or why can't the Jockey Club overrule NYRA on this? I don't even consider Lasix as being "performance enhancing," it allows the horses to perform to the best of their own abiities and there's a difference, not only in the matter of semantics. I should think NYRA should concentrate on promoting this race and fix their kaotic state of internal affairs and stop worrying about nasal strips. Let IHA wear them and don't thwart his chances for a TC and don't change a hair on him.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Uncle Smiley — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:58:55 GMT

Big Tex

Dont forget Shackleford!

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Uncle Smiley — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:52:02 GMT

Dr. DB:

If they could school racing enthusiasts, like some can school a good thorough bred, then Mister Ed will have prevailed!

You will get no debate from me, I'll Have Another, will see stress from Union Rags or Mark Valeski, if they run, but not from Bodemeister.

IHA seems, young, healthy and hungry for that extra length in the Belmont.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:40:30 GMT

Steve, regarding the nasal strips, pretty ridiculous on NYRA's part if they ban them. Agree with you they are external things, not medicated, and work on key touch points according to the anatomy of the nose, much like the human breathe right strips. All they do is allow more air into the nostrils. NYRA needs to start focusing on more marketing efforts.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Soldier Course — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:31:12 GMT

I began this year's Triple Crown season loving Union Rags and his heartwarming story, so beautifully told in the documentary with Dick Jerardi. What a wonderful American saga, the Wyeth family breeds a classic Thoroughbred runner.

Now another has come from the clouds. I rely on this wisdom: A rising tide lifts all boats.

I'll Have Another ... Triple Crown.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

JorgeG — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:20:58 GMT

Mr. Haskin, I think I saw you in a video watching the race with Bob Baffert!!

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

clvrgrl — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:18:34 GMT

Hey Steve here's a potential story angle - I'll Have Anothers' classic races are on the same days as in 1973; Secretariat's year.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Bill Two — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:10:21 GMT

Karen in Texas, thanks so much for weighing in on this issue and thanks for the link. Very much appreciated!

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

opsherr — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:56:52 GMT

It certainly has been an eventful couple of weeks. Here we are looking at possible history in the making. I know, I certainly hope it happens. The good a Triple Crown winner would do for racing at these troubled times is immeasurable. However, let's not get duped into being Pollyannas. The issues at hand are huge and have to be solved or racing will continue to decline and eventually disappear. Is this being cynical, I don't think so.

The constant comparing one horse of history to a horse of the present is really annoying. Each horse should be judged on his/her merit. Is I'll Have Another a talented horse? No doubt! Should he be compared to Secretariat? Absolutely, not! The truth be known if Secretariat ran on May 5, 2012, he would have won in 1:57 flat, not 2:01 and change. The Derby Day track has been modified since 1993.

And so it goes.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Lise from Maine — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:38:46 GMT

Hi!

If Bodemeister is not in the Belmont, then who will challenge I'll Have Another?

I think a different strategy could have been played out by Bodemeister's trainer and owner since he lost twice with taking the lead from the start.

I think I'll Have Another is a great horse, and his true self will be displayed at the Belmont

especially if Bodemeister is not in the race.

There are many, many great horses who are now rested up and will challenge I'll Have Another in the Belmont but who is it at this point?

Great article!

Thank you!

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

big john t — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:05:01 GMT

John Valesquez is riding Union Rags in the Belmont.

re: Haskin's Preakness Recap: Purple Reign

Capricelee — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:29:21 GMT

Another masterpiece, Steve. Thanks again for a great read. You are truly a goodwill ambassador of our sport.