Stress on the Derby Trail

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Bill Two — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 18:33:15 GMT

The problem with this country is that it's free and people are raised to believe they can think critically and ask any question and receive an immediate truthful response. Of course, we know better than that. In reality, we know we don't even get the privilege of asking a question, much less receiving an answer. We expect the press to be ever critical even if that means loss of access. We complain and get paranoid when answers aren't immediately forthcoming. Conspiracy theories abound. The game is fixed, etc. etc. Sometimes a little common sense and good manners will elicit information. The other day Kiaren McLaughlin said that he was worried about Cairo Prince possibly being knocked out by the rigors of the Holy Bull Stakes. I was amazed at his candor and wondered why he would open the door to a whole line of questioning which I assumed he would rather not have to deal with. Was the stress of the Triple Crown trail already getting to him? Maybe he believes in a preemptive strategy? Whatever, I find his candor refreshing, but that statement will linger in my mind for a while, particularly if the horse misses a workout or a race leading to the Derby.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Coldfacts — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:36:59 GMT

JayJay,

My bad. Not Wonder Hores but rather Super Horse Potential!

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Linda in Texas — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 15:42:34 GMT

Where are Deacon, Dr. D and Slew?

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

JayJay — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 03:55:06 GMT

Mike From Michigan : I believe we will but not until 2016 when Z's babies starts running...

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Mike from Michigan — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:29:49 GMT

Thank you Steve for that excellent and informative article. Really looking forward to the Derby Dozen again. Having played, watched and been a fan of many sports in my life, I do know one thing for certain.....winning the Triple Crown is THE most difficult sports accomplishment on the planet. I wonder if we will ever see a Triple Crown Champion again in our lifetime?

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

iceman92 — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 18:37:15 GMT

will be looking forward to this years derby dozen. you helped me to get 2 of 3 in last years derby triple and i thank you.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Davids — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 06:08:16 GMT

predict, look no further than Sadler's Wells for your answer to large crops and poor vigor. Not that I am in favor of large crops per se but modern technologies in the breeding shed has allowed stallions to cover 3 or more times as many mares as they once did.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Davids — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 02:01:11 GMT

"even though most reporters have no idea what goes on behind the scenes, what the inner workings of a stable entails"

Steve, this quote from your article appears to me the main difference of reporting racing news prior the inception of the internet than now. One can only imagine the younger, more antagonistic, DWL responding to the present day reporting of his horses on the net.

The internet allows everyone to be an expert, with a voice, and I admire how trainers such as DWL, BB, TP et al, respond to 'question time' with politeness and curtesy. To save the enterprise everyone needs to change their behaviours - openness, flexibility, integrity, transparency is the 'modern' ethos.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

JayJay — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 00:15:15 GMT

Coldfacts :

" Do reporters invent the truth sometimes?

Did reporters invent the truth in 2013 when both Verrazano and Flashback were classified as wonder horses?

Did reporters invent the truth when Uncle Mo was classified as the next Secretariat? "

Which reporter reported those ? I think you're confusing responses to blogs with news articles. I only read those types of comments from your dear old friend Ranagulzion and as far as I know, he's not with the media. Reporters would never write any such comments without quoting someone, whether the quote is real or not is the question. Writers can make those claims based on their opinion but reporting and writing are two different things.

Also, your comments about the 3 trainers, I'm not sure if they actually said those words. But if they did, I would guess that they said it after a race where the horse won impressively, what trainer wouldn't get excited after seeing their horse win ? You said you were an owner before, did you not feel excited after one of your horses win and thought the horse could be something special ?

Old old cat : I don't think Princess lost any prestige running in the Distaff. People who liked her still like her, her fan base didn't diminish because of that one race.

With regards to your comment about the SF sportswriters, if this "news" about the game had, in any way, affected the outcome of the game, then I think it's the responsibility of the writers to put it out there. They should not be privy to making a call to not disclose it out of consideration for anyone. I'm only guessing but since you use the words "blockbuster news", to me, it seems like a big scandal type news. Unless Kaepernick is planning on becoming the next "Bachelor" which could be blockbuster to some...

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Paula Higgins — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:31:48 GMT

I was never a major Todd Pletcher fan because I think he trains too many horses to be as hands on as I think horses need in a trainer. I am sure he has really capable people working with him, but if I had a horse, I would want them to go with a trainer with a smaller stable. Having said that, I thought he was the class of the Eclipse Awards with his comments about D. Wayne Lukas and when he accepted the Best Trainer Award. I had not seen that side of him. Only the side that said he didn't think Zenyatta should win HOTY in 2010 because she came in second to Blame. So, it was nice to see his warm and fuzzier side.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Old Old Cat — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:19:57 GMT

We had two interesting takes on the media voicing their opinions to the trainers. In Wise Dan's case they ignored the media and kept him on grass, which was the good choice. In the case of Princess of Sylmar, they followed the media lead and took their little princess all the way across the country to run a race they did not want, (at considerable expense), to run on another horse's home turf, to lose some of her presteige.

As an aside, but on your topic, some of the San Francisco sports writers are sitting on a blockbuster news story about that game that they will not disclose out of cosideration for the principals involved.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Old Timer — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 16:07:49 GMT

Totally well said/well written Steve. You have a way with words that is a real talent.

The nature of the Triple crown trail is such that all of us are always looking and hoping for the next winner of the Triple crown. The next super horse. Yet reality is that if we are lucky, we may see one every 25 or 30 years. It certainly colors the nature of your job and everyone who has to work in this industry.

Every year we get "Verrazano is the next super horse." or "Bellamy Road is the next super horse." "Arazi is unbelievable." etc. etc. I know that you have seen it again and again.

So perhaps our expectations are too high. The bottom line is this is a great time of the season and we should all sit back and enjoy the ride.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Stage Door Ball — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 14:34:56 GMT

The Derby Trail is fascinating stuff every year. The Derby itself is like the Masters in golf. The kickoff to the serious action!

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

predict — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 04:51:38 GMT

H.D.Thoreau once said,"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth."

So it is Derby season once again, let the fun begin, whatever we hear, whatever we see, whatever we do, it all makes the experience what it is ; live, learn and enjoy, for if anything gets your blood racing, it is probably worth doing!

Thanks Steve for the introduction to this year's craziness; looking forward to your Derby Dozen, as always, you only make this journey more interesting.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

JayJay — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 04:03:02 GMT

Interesting article, although I think for some trainers, this applies not just during the derby trail but all the time and for some, they stress mostly on their potential derby starters. I don't think we can group all trainers into one as having the horse as their priority. I think in our generation, specially in the past decade, there are more and more owners who are in the game for a quick return...the syndicates which requires investors, not necessarily horse lovers. I firmly believe there are two types of owners, the ones that wants to win the Derby for it's history and the ones that wants to win it to increase the horse's stud fee.

I think the difference between Baffert and Pletcher is the type of owners they train for. I believe Baffert has more control as far as planning out his horses path to the derby, whereas Pletcher, because he gets so many of them has less control. Less control not because he doesn't care but because of the type of owners that takes their horse to him. Some owners likes to be more involved than they need to be (or should be). I think Pletcher gets those types more than Baffert. I'm curious whether Pletcher sometimes wish having a much smaller number of horses, where he can actually tend to each horse and actually train them himself instead of directing and giving instructions to his crew.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

trackjack — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 00:22:15 GMT

Excellent article, Steve. You have explained the tensions that go on, on both sides, on this trail. You've made them real and human. Thanks, and thanks to all those who contributed their perspective.

Looking forward to your Derby Dozen, Steve. After watching Cairo Prince's Holy Bull, good luck separating the gray Prince and Honor Code. Can't wait!

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Paula Higgins — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 21:38:00 GMT

I think some of us are talking apples and oranges. It isn't about the trainer needing space, time and privacy to take care of his/her horse. We all agree about that. My points are about raising the profile of the sport, to keep it viable. The media plays an enormous role to further that goal.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

KY VET — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 21:12:07 GMT

It is rediculous to think trainers are going to tell you what is wrong with their horses......horses break their legs every time they run.....tiny microfractures....sore shins are broken legs.......swelling after every race.......people keep making the same mistake...TRAINERS DONT KNOW! They dont always know whats wrong.......a horse might have a slight limp, or wont be eating, the trainer wont really know....get this concept.....they will see these signs, then give the horse extra time.......this is the game.....

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Paula Higgins — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 19:13:34 GMT

KY Vet, you are a handicapper but we need more than handicappers to keep this sport alive. No kidding. That means being accessible within reason. It doesn't mean that because someone is a Hall of Fame trainer they don't have some responsibility to keep their horse on the radar. This is a sport who's profile is fading because we have moved out of the era when horses were part of every day life or within memory. We need to keep it alive and that means getting the non-handicappers to the gates by making it exciting for the average viewer. That means getting the fans behind "the team" (horse, owner, trainer). Not every horse is Secretariat, Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra and not every trainer is John Shirreffs. But people who are smart, like Jerry and Ann Moss, the Zayats, Barbara Banke, the Reeves, Penny Chenery, etc. will keep their horse in the public eye one way or another. It doesn't mean that horses who don't love company, or who are having significant health issues, need to be available to the public. But it's really helpful if the trainer is available, within reason. Think outside the box. There are lots of ways to raise a horse's profile. As for people wandering around the stables, visits should be carefully monitored for a number of reasons. It is doable. But the last thing this sport needs are insular trainers or owners. As for Wise Dan, the "media types" raised the possibility of him running longer and on dirt. It would appear that the "media types" had an impact. Wise Dan's owner mentioned that possibility at the Eclipse Awards as something he would like to see happen as he accepted the HOTY statue. You have to take risks to get into the truly great category and I think they should do it. I think Wise Dan is up to the task.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

El Kabong — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 18:12:55 GMT

Wow. Love to see this. I think these moments are a treasure. What's too bad is when people try to draw conclusions about the players or trainers from these moments. Instead of being grateful for the view through the window of truth about the game and the industry, people make the mistake of examining the players, the trainers that bring us these moments. There are things we'll never know about high stakes games or races without moments like this. Don't kill the messengers, and that goes for both sides, media and players. Anyone under extreme pressure or emotion at the wrong moment, can be that person. Be grateful for the nugget of reality you've just been handed, a window of perception that sheds light on something normally hidden. In the Godfather, Michael tells Sonny and Tom Hagen, it's nothing personal, it's just business, when he's planning to avenge his Father's attempted murder. In reality, we all know it's both. Media moments like this prove it. It's the public who must not make it personal.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

KateW — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 18:05:52 GMT

It's the nature of the beast...the web. Changed the print scape and whetted the curiousity of information hungry fans. The beast has no regard for perspective, just the clock. Rumors feed the beast. I have known racing entities that start their own rumors and then jump in to clarify them. Net gain is two mentions instead of one. And I'm not saying that it's right but transparency usually stunts the beast's ugly every time.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

superdog — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 17:34:48 GMT

KY Vet, you made an excellent and accurate comment, about thoroughbred racing in general. As a former owner I can tell racing fans first hand, what a difficult job a professional trainer has. His first priority is the horse. The owners usually are second or third, for a good reason. Most do not appreciate what is involved in the day to day business of operating a racing stable. Steve Haskins laid it out perfectly and honestly. Great article, Mr.Haskins, I manage to learn something new with each read. Good stuff. John Nicoletti, Naples, Florida

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

lawrence vaccarelli — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 17:00:21 GMT

listen up my fellow horse racing fans....all you need to know is when you see the entries with his name in there ,...he's ready. shared beliefs trainer has stopped on more horses that lesser trainers would have continued and ruined...jerry is not going to squeeze it dry for the sake of it...all will be fine..leave the man alone

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Bill Rinker — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 15:28:00 GMT

Thanks again for another great blog Steve. I started to weigh in on this yesterday but decided not to, however after reading the responces, here is my take. I have some experience of working life in the barn area. Every one as we know has their own stressors associated with the game to deal with, some more demanding and complicated than others. In a perfect world we should always try to be respectful and considerate. In regard to this I find your statement, "the media and the public have a right to know up to a point" the focal point of our blog. The point of how much information divulged on a situation is generally constrained by the capabilities of the individual in control and the circumstances surrounding it. Within these boundries our personal levels of tolerance and intellect may lead us to some sense of understanding, if only we can remove ourselves from the hightened emotions we May fall into. I can fully appreciate the limited access that some trainners ascribe to. In my mind there is little doubt that horses have an understanding of the pulse that surrounds them, and it is very important to keep things in their life, (and that includes every one who is a part of it) on even an even keel.

re: Stress on the Derby Trail

Steve Haskin — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 15:18:12 GMT

Thank you very much, Sarah. I really appreciate your kind words.