The Timing Stinks

re: The Timing Stinks

Matthew W — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:46:40 GMT

"Coming Attraction": "An American (or two..) In Paris", starring Curlin the stayer and Big Brown the TRUE turf tiger...truly the world's two best horses, no question about it, in their "greatest roles yet..."...may as well HAND'em the Oscar....

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Secretariat's Secretary — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:35:39 GMT

I believe the regulation of the sport should come directly and strictly from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). All other professional sports have their regulatory agency. MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, PGA, ATP, etc., etc. The involvement of federal legislation is embarrassing and clearly demonstrates that our sport is disorganized and lacks leadership. Perceived as that we do not know what we are doing.

This is a very complex matter, but it is very possible with cooperation and good leadership. One set of rules for all racing jurisdictions, like all the other professional sports.

Steve, we need all the help and leadership your media abilities could accomplish, to help our sport by public communication and education in the next few years. Please think how powerful that is.

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tbpartnerperson43 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:13:36 GMT

Nan

Wickipedia has a wonderful write-up on Rags to Riches.

Rags to Riches had resumed training at age 4. Then on Monday, March 24, 2008, Todd Pletcher announced that Rags to Riches had re-injured her right front pastern and was retiring. She was sent to Ashford Stud where she was bred to Giant's Causeway.

Rags To Riches was 56 days pregnant on (5/28/08). Announced on ESPN2.

Aren't we glad her injury was detected. I saw the ESPN announcement. They showed her in her paddock. She looks grand, and pampered.

It's a mighty shame that so many retired TB's aren't pampered.

re: The Timing Stinks

Mike Martin — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 07:56:07 GMT

It's a long way from the major tracks to Denver, but the problems are the same: the leading trainers run on the needle here, and the whip caused the lead horse to jump almost over the rail in the last race today. It is a culture which requires oversight in order to change, and the idea of running horses on good hay, good oats and clean water needs to be resurrected as the ethic it once was. Get the drugs out of this sport, simply to respect the horses. Treat the fans and bettors with respect. Owners need to protect their horses.

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MonicaV — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 03:06:20 GMT

Nan,

She has been retired. She raced again after the Belmont and sustained an injury to her leg and was rested and I do believe she injured it again and they decided to retire her. I could be wrong on that but she is retired.

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nan — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:28:14 GMT

what has happened to rags to riches

the one filly who beat curlin....

she hasn't been mentioned all

season

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Wanda — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:24:42 GMT

RD says he can't afford to be suspended this time of year.My comment TOO BAD it sucks to be you.Let's draw this thing out until it's convenient to serve the days.This is what is happening in the racing world nowadays. Trainers and riders that get disciplined are not taking these things seriously.I'm not just picking in Dutrow, this is widespread and happens all the time.

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Wanda — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:57:13 GMT

Well done Mr Haskin.When you put all this together,it's an eye opener.You have given me lots to think about.I'm from the old school in regards to racing but I did embrace new ideas from time to time.When Glucosamine became available to equines we were one of the first people to use it on the backside.At that time it cost about$2.00 a day per horse.We felt that rather than going with cortisone injections this was a better thing for the horse.I truly believe the racing gods have given us a wake up call and a whole generation of racing people will heed that call.Thanks to you and others that love the sport we will get there.

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goodwin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:37:09 GMT

Watch the replay of A.P.Indy's Santa Anita Derby and the comments Trevor Denman makes regarding Delahoussey"s winning ride - never touched him with the whip, once! Yes, racing NEEDS a national governing authority. Yes, drugs in racing need to be on a zero-tolerance basis (including Clenbuterol!) And what if two year olds were restricted from starting in a race? They could still be trained, taking away the old excuse that they need to build their bones through exercise. The Kentucky Derby would have a new wrinkle, and maybe it would lose some luster, which would not be a bad thing, in my opinion: the goal of getting there and hob-nobbing with the other owners and celebrities usually means that the horse suffers (see Eight Belles). Kudos to After Market's trainer (John Sherriffs?), who deemed the turf course at Monmouth last Breeder's Cup Day to be too dangerous for his trainee! It's not many who would pass up a Grade I, 2 million dollar race for the good of the animal.And, YES! RACING NEEDS A HUMANE FACE-LIFT!!!!! WAKE UP!

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Gary Peacock — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:50:39 GMT

stupid and greedy...sorta like haliburton and enron, no? this society's amuck in crap...it's like that "sure thing" 'National Soul' is lost in the fog on the backstretch...i've met Jeremy and say accidental...so, just stock up on soylent green, feed the euqines hay and oats, when a Jersey-bred wins the Derby, Jere might be the one he totes......

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Steve Haskin — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:51:33 GMT

Thank you, Mercedes, and all of you for your comments and stimulating discussion. JW, we should learn from the stewards in Uruguay. They fill out a full report every day, logging all information of every race and all their actions. On all foul claims they include a transcript of their disussions with both jockeys and then they explain all of their decisions in detail. The entire report is then put on the Maronas Racetrack website at the end of each day.

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russell maiers — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:36:08 GMT

common sense,your right steve and the person nancy who commented is right on also.You and Nancy are needed in this industry and talking to congress. Its really that simple. I love horses and racing and I hate what is going on with horses and racing. I am 51 years old and have been waiting 40 years for the usa to get it right. Too bad we cant even come close to japan,europe, and australia who could do better in some areas themselves. Are we always to be just stupid and greedy? This is just getting too stupid to love.

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Dreamer's Mom — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:35:28 GMT

Marc W-just a quick note on the smartness and calmness of thoroughbreds. Yesterday one of our 3 yr old fillys got her halter hung up and pulled a panel loose and on to her back. She stood quietly until we could get to her and free her. She was smart enough and calm enough to know we would fix it, no need to freak.

Thoroughbreds are what you make them. Ours live in a calm, peaceful, happy atmosphere. They reflect what they live.

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Bernard M — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:51:18 GMT

We got into the business of racing horses by first loving them for what they are and what they give us to us. When we forget that then the problems of greed and deceit creep in and destroy the very fabric of the sport. The sport needs to get tough on offenders and use the 3 strikes and you are out rule. Life time bans are needed to force out the cheeters and abusers. Let's start with changing the format for two year old sales. The current formate is too punishing to these great animals. Putting the horse back in first position will take care of racing current problems. People in racing would do well to act humble when talking about the horse. The horse and their fans make this interesting. The most respected people in horse racing act in this manner. More of us should do the same.

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Alysse — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:59:20 GMT

Wouldn't change be nice? I would LOVE to start by changing those two-year-old sales into a gallops-only deal, no breezes. But like you said, the timing, Geez, we need a break.

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Marc W — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:11:38 GMT

I have written to the letters to the editors of BloodHorse, which is by far the best total of coverage of horse racing and the industries around it, about more loudly knocking and exposing the drug trainers. I also traded emails and calls with Stan Bergstein who with due respect to Mr. Haskin has been the point man about drugs in racing in the DRF and his own publication which deals with standardbreds (Which have even a greater problem with those people taking an edge than TB)

In my travels on the backstretch over the years I have personally seen horses milkshaked before a race, horses that I knew were nerved illegally according to trainers-Like a lawyer I was told in confidence and will leave it that way “on the who”. The question I have is I can walk around get this info and see with my own eyes how hard would it be for an undercover agent to catch and suspend these people? Although more than 5 yrs ago it was quite out in the open. I know a couple of trainers that are friends and keep me up on the new fashion drugs that some are using. Even in a BH or DRF article I don’t which in the past month printed it in an interview, the aforementioned Larry Jones said he was losing horses to drug trainers in years past. Lukas has said on record that some don't train, they are chemists nowadays.

I am not a saint, I have gone on the dark side when stuck about $40K on a horse. I switched trainers to one that ”won races” being totally aware that I was taking him from a trainer I respected and did things the “right way” for more than 25 yrs. His form improved within a week, won shortly after and I sold him greatly cutting my loses. How he improved so quickly him I have no idea nor do I want to know-it may have been something completely legal but it begs the question how? With shipping, hay, straw, shoeing, vet work, all going through the roof there is much more pressure on results. That normal $5000 claimer making $35K in a year is a break-even proposition if at a “B” track, a loss at the big’s if with a leading trainer. The game is in trouble and the little guy is being weeded out.

Short note, we can stop over-whipping or change the props (whips) so it is less painful when used. I have never been a big whip fan, once or twice to wake a horse up, and then push on him. Great riders have all had a “touch” and horses will run for them-not a whip-think Willy Shoemaker. I didn’t see the Rose incident but have my doubts he did it on purpose, I have seen rider hit horses after the race, which should be an immediate suspension.

PETA might be whipping a “dead horse” which is horse racing in general if thing continue as they have. I would say to them in the present that thoroughbreds next to a loved cat or dog get the best treatment of any animal alive on the whole. If not for racing the breed will become extinct because although I love them thoroughbreds are not pets, with a few exceptions, they are not the smartest nor calmest of the horse breeds. They have been bred only to race for generations, it is that, or extinction.

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Flabbergasted in Virginia — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:50:05 GMT

Let's not forget Asmussen's positive, too!

The trainers of the BC Classic and the Kentucky Derby winning horses (arguably the two most prestigious races run in North America), both have drug positives in the same week!?

And where's the public outcry with regard to the millions of dollars the betting public lost on Big Brown in the Belmont? The betting public is the backbone of the industry, even if the owners and breeders would like to think otherwise.

I'm inclined to quit the sport all-toghther ...

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Steve Haskin — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:58:48 GMT

Michael, as a mere scribe, I can only shout so loudly. If enough of us express our views, maybe someone will hear us. I applaud IEAH for at least taking matters in their own hand and doing something, and challenging other owners to follow. When there are no officers to lead the army the grunts have to take over. I think the congressional hearings will force racing to do all the things you and others mention or they will take matters in their own hands.

As for Rose, he does need to learn how to interact with people better. During the Afleet Alex years he did have an attitude problem in my opinion, so perhaps anger management will help. But he's been around a while and paid his dues, so shouldn't be banished from the game. I feel the 6-month suspension is warranted and should remain, only because, and I hate to say this, racing needs to make an example of someone. They haven't done it with any trainers, so it falls on the jockeys. Between drugs and whip abuse, we need to do something drastic to deter others. Is it fair? No. But we've gotten ourselves in this situation and there's no other way to get out of it.

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Michael Nikolic — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:05:40 GMT

Mr Haskin,

I applaud your efforts but humbly suggest that you shout louder.

Why is it so hard to believe that in an age when young people can't tell time with an analog watch or pick out the United States on a geographic map, that we are having a hard time promoting a sport that is (in theory) based on patience and nurturing.

Install a commissioner, institute a ZERO drug policy and create a uniform set of racing rules.

These acts should be immediate and permanent. Anything else is just pandering.

Michael Nikolic

Racing manager Blackwatch Stables

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I give up — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:52:18 GMT

I can't take it any more. I usually spend 3 - 5 hours a day pouring over every bit of hadicapping info I can get my hands on, not to mention a sizeable daily bankroll to wager. Now it seems weekly (sometimes daily) that I find out the races I am betting contain horses running on high octane fuel. Who is running this show ???? Until racing gets its act together, I'm taking my money to the casino. I'll probably lose my ass but at least I'm playing a fair & honest game! I think the fans and serious players need to send a message to the good old boys of racing by boycotting the upcoming Saratoga & Del Mar meet. That will sure get their attention !

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Bellwether — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:41:52 GMT

everybody take a deep breath & count to ten...got to get a COMMISSIONER NOW...thank's to Steve & all @ Blood-Horse for your super reporting on the sport we love soooo much...Long Live The King!!!

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Mercedes — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:01:31 GMT

Mr. Haskin,

As usual a pleasure to read, like every one of the pieces you write. So clear, so objective and so true.

Thanks

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StayFair — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:28:20 GMT

I do not know Jeremy Rose personally but only as a jockey. Like everyone who might have read the news, I was shocked by the accusation and the punishment. But looking at the replay, I don't believe that it was an intentional and his use of the whip during the race was never excessive. To all those that easily comdemn, pls. watch the replay before you judge.

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normajean81258 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:06:14 GMT

I agree with Vikki, L.Jones was set up and I've read the statements from Jeremy and Wolfendale right here on Bloodhorse. And all the fuss about Dutrow, who by the way was using waht are "legal" medications at this time, though obviously too close to race day, and somehow given twice? Who knows? I would like to know however why no one is commenting on an Asmussen "filly, Timber Trick, who broke her maiden at Lone Star Park in Texas May 10, tested positive for the anesthetic lidocaine. Asmussen served a six-month suspension in 2006-07 after a positive for mepivacaine in Louisiana. At the same time, he served a similar suspension for an acepromazine positive in New Mexico." This is not the "Dutrow races"; ALL trainers, Jocks, owners and connections should be held accountable. Isn't anyone worried about Curlin?? I know I am. I never got into horse racing until 2000, I'm now going to be 50 yrs. old. The reason I didn't was because all I heard was how dirty it was. Abuse, drugs, backstabbing, fixed races.... Well, surprise; I'm feeling that way again. I sure hope the answers are found to straighten the sport out. I would hate to lose the only sport I love.

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Kelly S — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:57:29 GMT

Okay, now I look like one of those idiots not doing their research! Dutrow did get a suspension--15 whole days. Sorry, got caught up in my outrage over the unfair treatment of Rose and Jones.