Life in '11

re: Life in '11

Jim — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 03:51:49 GMT

this investigation is going on for a long time, mark my words just like in an inquiry if it takes a long time there is a disqualification, hence here there are some or many suspensions or fines going to be involved.

re: Life in '11

David — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:10 GMT

As to who ultimately should take responsibility, imagine a basketball team with ball possession, down by one (or tied) with only seconds remaining. They run the play mapped out by a capable coach; everyone executes but no one takes the shot and time expires. Whose fault is it? No one player or the coach need bear burden any more than the jock, trainer, and vet or steward in this case. Safety in numbers, while not absolving these guys, will get the team to the next game and the racing guys through scrutiny they’re enduring. One can only hope next time you’ve got someone with ice, not blood, in the veins and/or some colts amid a cast of geldings.

re: Life in '11

Larry Ensor — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:48:19 GMT

Lucy’s post is spot on. Pletcher is on record as saying the filly was not herself in the paddock. Who knows the horse better then the trainer and the jockey. I would have said to the jock if she does not warm up to your satisfaction don’t load. IMO the decision was up to the jockey. I was taken by surprise when the jock stated she did not feel right and said to my wife, I hope the bettor's heard that, and even more surprised when they loaded her. I train steeplechase horses on the ground and on their back. I am lucky enough to have a very good one. Last year before the end of the season championship races he was training in top form and would have been the favorite. A few days before the race we were out for our morning gallop. He was strong and full of himself but something did not feel right. He looked fine to those on the ground, he jogged sound. But I scratched him a very difficult decision. Turned out he had a slight tendon pull.

re: Life in '11

duchess — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:14:39 GMT

The primary question that comes up from this debacle is WHO PROTECTS THE HORSES?

The jockey? The trainer? The track vet? The stewards?

Who protected that beautiful multi-stakes winning mare that night?

AND - if something like this can happen with one of the best older fillies/mares in the country - who on earth protects the allowance/claimers?

re: Life in '11

Tales Untold — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:27:29 GMT

Hey Alex,

Life At Ten was a favorite horse of mine, look how she was treated! She could have died!! I bet on her, the lost money is ok but I will never bet again!! Ultra shame and Blame on the Jock and trainer....a new racing fan!!

Seems there is a smell in Denmark!!

re: Life in '11

Jim — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:06:35 GMT

What is known so far about this case, as there are conflicting reports.

At the end of that day Pletcher in some interview had said that he was concerned & made the jockey aware of it & that the jockey had let the on track vet know about this who in turn kept an eye on the horse but did not find any reason to scratch her.

But, that report had disappeared the next day saying the trainer & jockey were aware of it but the track vet was not.

re: Life in '11

David — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:19:43 GMT

Two items forming a silver lining of sorts on the whole matter have occurred. First, the confidence and smugness of the Kentucky Chief State Steward left the track with that Friday evening has no doubt given way to consuming a pretty healthy dose of humility. Second, the KHRC, which would have almost certainly opted to express unqualified support of staff along with an edict for a media ban with ‘cause we can’ rationale had to apply the breaks big time. It won’t change the enviable outcome but it is at least comforting to have a group used to operating with impunity have to acknowledge a court of public opinion. That is assuming they ever say anything.

re: Life in '11

Bellwether — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 07:33:03 GMT

THIS WON'T GO AWAY...BELIEVE IT...

re: Life in '11

Lorri — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 04:42:06 GMT

First thing they should do is ban Lasix. It's already banned in other parts of the world because of the dangers to the horse so why are we still using it?

re: Life in '11

Turnbackthealarm — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 03:13:24 GMT

Alex,

With all due respect, your statement is hogwash.

If anything was going to happen, if anyone was going to be held responsible and if anyone cared about the bettors who were cheated and the horse that could have been potentially irreparably harmed, it WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN DONE!

As usual, racing is betting, correctly, that the most hard core fans won't leave. The problem is, the new fans that have been lost forever. Smart businessmen and women who could potentialy invest know this is a DIRTY and EXPENSIVE game, as well as a mostly losing proposition.

The dirty laundry was on display loud and clear, Friday night, in primetime.

re: Life in '11

catts — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 01:03:49 GMT

Plenty of blame to go around that day. Trainer, especially jockey, stewards, vets. Just watching on tv it was evident that the mare was zoned out, on another planet. Jockey bears the most blame. Never, never should have asked her to run. Her connections are v ery fortunate she is not badly damaged by their poor judgment. Another case for no drug use.

re: Life in '11

Lucy — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:10:43 GMT

I showed horses for years (cannot afford it presently) and situations not unlike this one were frequent. I watched Life at Ten going to the post and she was not actually LAME but she was obviously not right. So what do you do? In a horse show, an obviously LAME animal would be dismissed by the judge if the trainer or owner had not already caught the problem and done so. In questionable cases, where the horse is "not right" but not lame, it is up to the owner or trainer to remove the horse. Some very discerning and conscientious might choose to dismiss such horses themselves, some would simply not use them and others might not notice. I was watching Life at Ten and in this case I got the feeling everyone WANTED to do something but no one wanted the responsibility. I really think the jockey, who kept saying she did not feel right, wanted the trainer or the vets to pull her. With the tendency of thoroughbreds to tie up, I was really surprised they did not. I was almost certain that was what was happening. In every equine sport we need alway to err on the side of caution...for the sake of the horse AND the rider. In this case I suspect everyone was just afraid to make a decision. I feel bad for the horse and for her owner, who trusts the professionals to make the right decision. I am a little surprised that at that level, everyone Unfortunately, these things happen,and I know I had times when I dithered about scratching an iffy horse. In racing however, a mistake may be deadly, whereas in a dressage test or Western trail class, a horse is easily pulled up.

re: Life in '11

Mike Relva — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 06:19:57 GMT

HELLO ALEX

Truly believe LAT rider and trainer should receive the max for what transpired. There's no "spin control" for this!

re: Life in '11

tvnewsbadge — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 04:50:56 GMT

After the Life At Ten experience, I doubt that you can "rest assured" that ANY meaningful action will taken.

re: Life in '11

Paula Higgins — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 20:11:01 GMT

I think two weeks is a long time as well. It is clear that Mr. Pletcher should have not run her and the jocky should have either not raced her or pulled her up shortly after he started. I think the bottom line should always be: do no harm to the horse. In human medicine that is the bottom line. The horse must always come first even when the problem isn't clearly defined.

re: Life in '11

eileen — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:38:16 GMT

and still nothing on how the horse is doing and will she still be sold?

re: Life in '11

David — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 15:16:06 GMT

I’m not sure a crafted statement is required that would alter one salient point – why with that observed, expressed and reported prior to the running of the “Ladies Classic” with no reaction, why even have checks in place? The final report you allude will itemize response and insulation to criticism under Kentucky racing rules. It will state a proposed reg that will have no outside media contact with riders from leg-up in the paddock until the running (of the race) has been completed. The rationale will include several factors including an objective of uninterrupted focus (by the jock). What your report won’t state is the actual reason for the new reg will be containment. Finally, the document will fail to state Life AT Ten should not have run on that Friday evening and, had all concerned done a better job, she wouldn’t have. Enjoy the Kool-Aid Alex.

re: Life in '11

annie — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:29:22 GMT

Well said Sceptre. WHAT A MESS! It will be interesting to see what happens.

re: Life in '11

Rachel — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 12:39:44 GMT

I got a letter from KRC that said it was all internal and they would handle it as they see fit...this in response to my saying perhaps they needed oversight...so, now to call my Senators and Congressman to encourage them to put racing under Fed oversight.

Anyone who bet on the Distaff put LAT in at least their Tri or Super...I've noticed no figures have been let out to the public exactly how much money was bet that included her, only "best guess" by pundits.

I'd say that her life was the main reason we should be following this up, but the industry really pretends to care about the horses only because of the ruckus put up by the sentimental fans...

re: Life in '11

sceptre — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:58:15 GMT

Typical that it's taken two weeks to hear the first word on this subject from the NTRA- so much for "SAFETY % Integrity". If this could occur at a Breeders' Cup (with all the extra scrutiny), imagine the plight of the everyday racehorse-yes, the racehorse's well-being is paramount here, not the betting public's. Whatever changes are needed should be applied to all; not just Breeders' Cup entrants...Lastly, it's pretty clear that all this was about to be swept under the rug 10 days ago, until Life At Ten's well fixed and prominent owner spoke up. Perhaps the investigation should be enlarged to include the KY Racing Commission, The Breeders' Cup, and the NTRA as well.