Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Cassandra.Says — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:46:23 GMT

Omigod. It's come to this.

People and horses are going through this for fear that O'Neill feeds his horses to combat lactic acid build-up better than the other trainers?

The absolute insurer rule is manifestly unjust -- basically, one person is "designated" guilty even if you KNOW s/he's not. Innocence is not a defense. People put up with it because it's obvious how utterly unenforceable med/drug controls would be without it. But it would be fairer to its victims if the public understood that a "conviction" means something different in this industry than it does in the courts.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Slew — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 13:42:36 GMT

Linda..while not a UR fan, I agree with your sentiments. (Paynter was my pick). I too was disappointed that NBC neglected the retirement ceremony for IHA. Perhaps I'll catch it on HRTV's First Call this am.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

BerttheWonderHorse — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 13:18:15 GMT

thank you for posting this. i didn't know the half of what had gone on regarding the stakes barn. what little i did know was bad enough. to find out all this makes me sick. they are going to ruin new york racing.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Linda in Texas — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 23:21:01 GMT

Steve, you were on Union Rag's side

the whole way. Only like me when the chance for a Triple Crown Winner come to almost fruition did i begin to realize I'll Have Another's chances to become a Triple Crown Winner, did i include him in my thoughts and wishes, even at the expense of Union Rags losing. The doors opened in a horrible way, but as i said before, when we are given lemons we make lemonade.

Union Rags won The Belmont with guts, determination, maturity, athletic ability and confidence

and i am proud i was on his bandwagon from the beginning, with a side trip forever also with I'll Have Another.

Yes, it should have been I'll Have Another's to lose today but the

Racing God's had other plans. And their second choice was just fine,

Union Rags deserved it today.

Was sorry we were not shown I'll

Have Another's retirement ceremony.

I watched the race on NBC.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Linda in Texas — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 23:20:41 GMT

Steve, you were on Union Rag's side

Union Rags won The Belmont with guts, determination, maturity, athletic ability and confidence

and i am proud i was on his bandwagon from the beginning, with a side trip forever also with I'll Have Another.

Yes, it should have been I'll Have Another's to lose today but the

Racing God's had other plans. And their second choice was just fine,

Union Rags deserved it today.

Was sorry we were not shown I'll

Have Another's retirement ceremony.

I watched the race on NBC.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Linda in Texas — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 06:16:09 GMT

TerriZ. I second the suggestions in your last 2 sentences.

I think Lenny and Steve in Top Hats would just about be the only thing that could cheer me up right now. I know what the word bummed feels like now for sure. And i am not alone.

Thank you Steve.

And suggestion to the SRWB or SWRB,

get someone on your board who has horses in the races in New York and

can give you some pointers in delegating and coming up with more realistic rules and regs than the ones you came up with a few days ago regarding The Stakes barn.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

casey — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 03:21:02 GMT

As always Steve, you hit the nail on the head. I'm so sad that IHA is injured, but happy that his team is taking care of him. I can't help but wonder whether the barn move, his kicking and bucking, helped inflame that tendon. I guess we'll never know

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

TerriZ — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 23:20:15 GMT

What a travesty. I wonder if I'll Have Another hurt his leg when he was bucking and kicking in Stalog 2 (aka Security Barn 2). Ashame they couldn't give him Zenny's favorite brew; then he might too high of a blood alcohol level to race in Belmont. Then Doug O'Neil would be accused of animal abuse by giving him a Guiness.

I hope that Bloodhorse will send you and Lenny to Ascot to watch the Australian Queen race.

That would be a nice reward for the excellent reporting you have done for the Triple Crown.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

fb0252 — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 20:08:00 GMT

my take--we have a paramutual sport. quit bitching and put up with it.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Slew — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 18:47:27 GMT

The NYRA deserves what it's getting. No Triple Crown on the line tomorrow. No luster, no great publicity, less fans.

I'll Have Another and the O'Neill crew deserve none of what they got, bad publicity, aspersions, lame-brained attempts to make the race at difficult as possible...and to top it all off...a lame horse who is being retired. I cried this morning, I feel so sad for all involved.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Melissa P — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 18:35:30 GMT

Well, if there was any doubt that this lunacy would affect the horses, we now have our answer. What a durned shame...

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

mwill — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 18:32:30 GMT

Thank you for a good and honest post. (Always good.) This detention barn is utterly ridiculous. Why should the highest class trainers have to go through this circus? No wonder fans leave this sport.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

KarenToga — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 18:05:57 GMT

Hi Steve,

Your article was so on point and now to hear that IHA is scratched due to inflammation in his left front foreleg. What a heartbreaker for everyone. I just watched Doug Oneill state that it had nothing to do with the detention barn, but lets be honest. He was being way too nice about it. What NY put him through was totally absurd . Thoroughbreds are such sensitive creatures and to move them 2 days before the biggest day of their lives is ludicrous. John Sabini is a fool and I for one they replace him with someone that has some good horsesense.

What a loss for the sport and the connections of IHA. Your article was so on point. Thank you for being spot on with your commentary. You are truly one of the greatest Ambassadors for this sport and we are all fortunate to have you as our voice.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

longtimeracingfan — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 17:10:08 GMT

Steve, your note that I'll Have another was kicking and bucking in his detention stall (there's no other name for it) takes on a huge new significance... they are about to announce his withdrawal from the Belmont due to a tendon injury. WHAT IF HIS IRRITATION AT THIS NEW LOCATION WAS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE INJURY? Bucking and kicking in themselves don't cause injury... but within the confines of a stall, with concrete block walls (if I am not mistaken), there's not much room for a horse to maneuver, and it would be all too easy for an aggravated kick or buck to cause him to land wrong on a front foot and torque something in a tendon... I am just sick.

You have hit every nail on the head, and most of the bloggers have further expressed my opinion about this shameful business of the "stakes" barn... when we all know it was a knee-jerk reaction to the political and radical anti-animal forces which have such strength in New York. NOT from any true concern for racing or knowledge of horses, other than that they are very big and one doesn't want to get too close to them (GRRRRR).

Bet PETA is dancing with glee.

I agree with several of the bloggers who say the entrants should all scratch en masse... at what point do the horsemen and owners have a say in what goes on with THEIR horses? At this point, if I had a horse racing in the NY area I'd boycott Belmont... for just this one reason. And if it is extended to all NY tracks, so be it. Bye bye.

I still remember seeing the reaction of Big Brown to the "stakes barn" too. This isn't new, it's just been blown up past all reason by ignorant people who prefer their own ignorance to EVER finding out the facts.

And yes, if someone stuck their hand in my ice bucket, I'd very quickly dump that bucket... who knows what they might have on their hands? ...and if a little splish of that ice/water should land on Mr. Nosy Hands, oh golly, so sorry. NOT.

Frankel, Black Caviar... wish I were going to Royal Ascot this year... and maybe Camelot will be able to finish the triple over there in the St. Leger. It sure ain't a-gonna happen over here as long as the present powers that be are in control. That's pretty clear.

Angry over the stupidity, and sick over what could VERY likely have been...

Now I'll crawl back under my rock. Maybe my mood will improve in time for the Breeders Cup.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Householder — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 17:03:16 GMT

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

IHA is injured.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 16:09:00 GMT

Was I'll Have Another injured since going to the brand new detention barn? Was he injured because they altered his routine to try to avoid the crowded chaos created by the new detention barn? Great job New York. Are you still going to be running your grubby paws through the ice buckets, or was your goal accomplished so no need for that now? On the bright side- There is nothing better in racing than catching an injury before the race starts rather than running him with an injury when a horse is injured. Will the Triple Crown forever lie in the 70's? Is our time period now too negative and discombabulated to allow another Triple Crown winner? It's going to be tough but we will never give up hope. Never, until we kick the bucket.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Melissa P — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:28:36 GMT

OMG, Steve! You've nailed it! The inmates have taken over the asylum!

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Stephi S. — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:04:54 GMT

If I'll Have Another loses the Belmont, there will be only two possible causes, 1)he couldn't get the distance. 2)the SRWB and their ridiculous pre-race conditions. I would pick number two, personally. I have never seen such a stupid and un-horsemanlike setup. Those poor horses will probably be dizzy with nerves by the time post time rolls around. And if the SRWB is so worried about someone fixing the race, why put the horses in the barn together where the horses themselves might get together and fix the race between them? That's about as plausible as finding drugs in the ice bucket.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Tbreds Rule — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:01:03 GMT

While I agree that the track has gone too far in some of these restrictions, the industry has brought this on themselves. Until the industry stops all drugs race day and has serious penalties which the actually enforce, the public's perception is that horse racing is a tainted sport.

I have been a fan of horse racing all my life and have been to numerous, Derbies, Preaknesses and BCs. I have owned race horses in partnerships and while there are many honest people in racing, there is a very ugly side. I no lger own horses racing but now adopt injured ones off the track to avoid slaughter.

And O'Neil is not of the most stand up trainers. Over 14 years and in four different states, O’Neill received more than a dozen violations for giving his horses improper drugs. O’Neill’s horses also have had a tendency to break down. According to an analysis by The New York Times, the horses he trains break down or show signs of injury at more than twice the rate of the national average. Over 14 years and in four different states, O’Neill received more than a dozen violations for giving his horses improper drugs. O’Neill’s horses also have had a tendency to break down. According to an analysis by The New York Times, the horses he trains break down or show signs of injury at more than twice the rate of the national average. Anyone remember the mare he raced back quickly and she broke down and was euthenized? When asl=kd why he didn't give her time to rest he said it wasn't in the business plan.

I see NY's stance as trying to avoid any suspicion of foul play. While they have taken it to extremes, at least they are doing something about it to send a message that the Belmont is a clean race.

Look at both sides of this, you in particular Steve. Horse racing needs to clean up.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

fanofallthree — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 13:08:40 GMT

Hi, Steve -

Have I told you lately that I LOVE you?!~ Jeez, did you ever nail it. Thanks a great big bunch.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:27:04 GMT

Terlingua

That's a very good point. Who knows where that guy's hands have been. Who will watch the watcher?

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:19:26 GMT

Are you sure we're not living in a slapstick comedy from the 1920's or something? Like the Keystone Kops? That guy that was fishing for who knows what in the ice bucket, maybe an olive that escaped from a martini or something, said "Wow it sure is cold in that bucket. Maybe too cold. Hmm. Maybe we ought to test it to see just how cold it is."

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:12:22 GMT

The Martians that have taken over human's bodies will keep trying to screw things up and Haskin and the Haskinites will continue fighting the neverending battle for truth, justice, and the Triple Crown way. Imagine that, they never cook their oats on Mars. It's no wonder they have the worst oatmeal cookies in the universe year after year.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

iwannaracehorse — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 10:43:41 GMT

Carry Back, you and others bring up some added questions about Security, i.e: what kind of background checks done? This whole plan is flawed from start to finish, and I am extremely disappointed that something so exciting as a bid for THE Triple Crown would get "contaminated" by such a poor knee-jerk decision. Do we intrude on such events as the Super Bowl? Do we think the Thoroughbred Industry has no self-regulatory measures in place??

Rude to horses and to personnel. Insulting to the racing fans.

QUESTION: Can someone tell me how denying IHA his nasal strip might affect his race? My first thought is that this is like telling a trainer they can not use the same bridle or bit they have been successfully racing with in the past. I've been out of the Thoroughbred business for a while, so really not sure how critical this matter is.

re: Haskin’s Belmont Report: Barn Burner

Sharon — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 04:45:59 GMT

Yes, scratch en mass - the race obviously isn't worth anything to the powers that be in NY. The paint fumes could be a real problem for the horses. What's wrong with the trainers that they sit idly by and allow this to happen! Of course, the public has no say whatsoever.