What's the outcome of Dutrow's horse running on one day's rest?  The public needs to know this about him and of course, equally responsible, the horse's owners.

dear Becky.

I can appreciate your comments regarding the older male horse division and the Breeders' Cup Classic.  Like you I am similarly concerned about that group, and was equally frustrated as shown by the fluke wins in the Gold Cup and the Suburban.  I also believe that since the Classic will be run at Santa Anita on the artificial surface, a not-so-dark-horse, Colonel John, might rise above the flames. And Big Brown will come back to win the Haskell, so let's not get too negative yet, and we don't know what Casino Drive may do, once he's healthy.

BUT, hold on here, there are several 'heroes' and 'heroines' to be excited about in the other divisions.  Not discounting what might come from the EU, there are several turf stars, sprinters, and distaff stars to get your horse-blood or bloodhorse pumping.

My favorite females on the turf are Dreaming of Anna, Rutherienne, Lady of Venice and Ventura. The male turf group includes Einstein, Kip Deville and though he didn't show it in the AmInv- Daytona.

The sprinters - Bustin Stones, Commentator, Fabulous Strike and Benny the Bull; and the distaff sprinters - Dearest Trickski and Magnificience.

Though we sadly lost Nashoba's Key, we've got several distaff heroines to cheer for - Hystericalady, Zenyatta, and Zaftig, Ubridled Belle, and Indian Blessing.

Once a few more races shake out during the summer, I think there will be plenty of horses to cheer for and be excited about come Breeders' Cup time - just 'hold your horses.'

Ed Kane

Seattle WA

From Rick last Friday before Unrequited,"Everybody looks at me like I'm a drug kind of guy, and if you're a drug kind of guy you're going to go out there and watch your horses break down. I want anybody here right now to tell me the last time you've seen one of my horses break down in the afternoon. You're not going to be able to find it because I'm safe, I'm sound, I protect my horses."

Correct no heroes here.

But hasn't somebody told Mr. Dutrow about shutting up while he's ahead...or should that have come after the Preakness.

Perhaps. With the industry kicking and screaming, it is the time to change things completely. It is time for ONE governing authority in the sport. It is time for zero tolerance of medications. And then, the Ausmussens, the Dutrows, and the Mitchells, among others would have to make room for the real horsemen. And the Hollywood Gold Cup - did the other jockeys (all of them, with a hall of famer in there, too) just misjudge the pace? OR did they choose to? Yes, put in a rabbit, and it will be hard to lay 10 lengths off of a 48 4/5 half...

Someone said that s/he has no problems with three year olds retiring early becuase that won't affect the handicap division, but I believe that it's even better for everyone (including the typical public) if three year old star colts and fillies continue racing the next year. We need horses more than ever, especially with this past spring, which is the weirdest in my seven years (I'm young and a n00b, bear with me).

Some people like the brash Dutrow because he brings color to racing but right now he looks more like a poster boy for everything that's wrong with the industry. That's just my view, of course, but what we need is some changes in the way races are run. We need handicap races like the old days before I was born, the ones that'll bring as much prestige as the springtime 3 year old classics and the late fall international championships.

For now, I'm just going to sit back, cheer on Curlin and Zenyatta, and wait for the better three year olds to get back on their feet.

I haven't cleaned out my Equibase Virtual Stable in quite some time and was out of town this weekend, but when I checked my e-mail this morning I found a notification that Lawyer Ron worked out last Friday at the Churchill Downs Training Center. I have been a fan of Ronnie's since he won the Arkansas Derby 2 years ago and was thrilled to witness his becoming the only winner of the short-lived St. Louis Derby. I thought he was undone by the sloppy Monmouth track last October and wished that he would race one more time to show the fans what a truly classy horse he is. Can anyone verify that my wish has been answered, or am I just spreading an unverified rumor? Thanks.

This weekend's Suburban and Hollywood Gold Cup were prime examples of how the retirement fad is affecting horseracing.  I'm all for upset winners.  It's what makes racing exciting and unpredictable.  However, it's hard to get excited about an upset winner in a Grade I race when every other horse running would be considered an upset if the big stars were still running.  Breeders and owners need to go back to being in the business for the love of racing, rather than the almighty dollar.  They hold the key to building fans - keeping our stars on the track.  I'll say it a million times, people are drawn to familiarity.  I am a true blue fan, but even I find myself watching less of the "big races" and more of my little home track, where familiar names in the claiming ranks might race even past 10.  Granted, I don't expect the average quality racehorse to race that long, but it would be nice if they at least raced through age 5.  Most general fans don't follow 2-year-olds, so racing through age 5 would give them 3 years to follow one horse.  Maybe, just maybe, during those 3 years, another horse will come along that catches their attention so they'll have to keep watching for that one, and so on.

As for the incident with Dutrow's horse, is there any evidence that running the horse back is what caused the breakdown? After all, I have seen this strategy used by other trainers with positive results, particularly on the east coast.  I may differ with Dutrow on medication issues, but I don't agree with the tone of your article, implying that he was just trying to run the horse into the ground.  If the horse broke down due to exhaustion or if he ran him knowing there was a physical problem, that's one thing, but the quick turnaround is more common that some think.  So many people are used to the 30-60 days in between races that our champions enjoy that they don't realize it's not necessary.  Horses at my local track sometimes race every week, and it's rare for me to see a breakdown.

Deb, trying to get an answer out of Monmouth but it was a bad looking injury to the rear. Will pass along what I hear.

Ed, Remember the girls have all been relegated to Friday.  The BC may wind up with their best races on Friday when people are at work.  I do have slight hopes that Coolmore can shake off their horrific loss of George Washington last year and stick one of their stars in the race.  Henrythenavigator probably has the best breeding to do it, but will they take what will be a favorite in the mile and do that?

Casino Drive another good one and Colonel John though I dread thinking about the synthetic vs. dirt argument that will ensue.  While I say all this, every one of the horses we mentioned are three year olds.

Pat, I don't even know what to say.  

By the time America fall's in love with 3 year old, he is done and retired to stud.  That's the frustration from a fan's perspective.

The longer the good one's can stay around, the better it is for the game in my opinion...I think Curlin is a good example of that, despite owner's wishes to run him over the globe to enhance his stud value.

Lawyer Ron is currently standing stud at Stonewall Farm. Take a look:

www.bloodhorse.com/.../sr_sire_page.asp

The Equibase notification must have been some kind of error.

Drat! I just checked the workout list from Churchill Training for 6/27/2008 and did not find Lawyer Ron listed. I did find a horse named Brother Ron who worked a half mile in 49.20 and was 5 of 9 at that distance that day. So it does look like someone at Equibase made an error.

Shouldn't play those kind of jokes on an old man.

If American breeders keep doing their act for speed and precocity, we are going to keep getting fragile and dull horses. Stallions that have never raced more than a dozen races, many of them without even knowing that a mile and a quarter races exist, then going to the breeding shed at 3 years of age, are the surest thing to more catasthropic injuries prone horses. Not to mention the irrelevancy to the public of our beloved sport as it is now.

Keep racing the horses until they are 5 years old, like in the 50´s. It will make a difference to the sport and the show that has to surround it to become great again.

Hahah, I remember thinking to myself back in the summer of '03, the exact same thing. Then we had a fantastic Breeder's Cup with Rick Mandella winning six, and the dead heat. There are so many other aspects to the race, than just the race itself, that it's silly to get bored with it already - and we haven't even run the Jim Dandy, Haskell or Travers yet!

In 2003 we had Congaree a five year old Grade 1 victor winning the HGC, and Grade 1 winner four year old Mineshaft winning the Suburban, also won the G1 Pimlico Special.  Perfect Drift won the Stephen Foster. Grade 1 winner (4yo) Medaglia D'oro had won the Grade 1 Oaklawn Handicap and we had 4 year old Candy Ride for a thrill in the Pacific Classic.

The Jim Dandy, Haskell and Travers are all races for three year olds.  What about the Whitney, Woodward, Pacific Classic?

As much as I'm sure Mr. Mandella would have liked to have won six BC races that day, he did only win 4, both juveniles, Halfbridled, Action This Day, Turf with Johar and Classic with Pleasantly Perfect.

I just read that Heatseeker is retired due to suspensory injury

Can we stop beating down on this sport for a moment and look at the bright side? 'What bright side?' Anything can and will happen in horse racing.

You guys need to chill out. We all know the problems that it's facing right now and we've known for awhile. Things are changing, so what's the point in whining about it more? Chilll out. Go spend some time at the racetrack and place a couple bets. Sheesh!

A "rabbit or 'pacemaker' as it is called in Europe is there to ensure an honest pace. It has nothing to do with the stablemate being "devoid of early speed"

THE WEST COAST HANDICAP DIVISION WAS HORIBLE FOR FIVE YEARS. LAVA MAN DOMINATED IT AND HE COULDN'T WIN A GRADE 3 ON THE EAST COAST. NOW THAT ALL OF THE EAST COAST HORSES ARE GONE, MY INTEREST IS SLIPPING. MAYBE BIG BROWN OR CURLIN WILL GET ME TO THE BREEDERS CUP? SCRATCH THOSE TWO AND I AM GOING BOWLING. IT WOULD BE MORE EXCITING.

I haven't heard about our 3-year-olds who were sidelined before the Derby. Any chance we'll be seeing War Pass, Crown of Thorns, or Georgie Boy again come Breeder's Cup season???

I'm also up for cheering on the girls this season. Go Zenyatta!

Shelley Kalita, legal counsel of the Illinois Racing Board, described the licensing issue that may keep Curlin from racing in most states with the understatement, “The whole situation is kind of a mess.”  Although Ms. Kalita was specifically addressing the woes of Curlin’s connections, she actually could have been describing horseracing in general at the midway point of 2008.

Given all of the negative news for horseracing this year, now should be the time for creating some bold new ideas for promoting the sport.  Here are five ideas that I wish horseracing would consider.

• Reduce the number of Grade 1 and Grade 2 races contested between the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, so that the likelihood of watered down versions of them is greatly diminished.

• Card some of these graded races as “by invitation only.”  In essence, create thoughtful multi-horse match races of the sport’s star power horses.

• Get corporate sponsorship for this mid-summer stakes races so that purses are attractive to owners.

• Tie entry in the Breeders’ Cup races to participation in these graded mid-summer races.

• Promote these races on a national level, but spread them around geographically.

Last Saturday, 40-1 shot Frost Giant won the Grade 1 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park, defeating a field made up entirely of horses that had never won a Grade 1 race.  On the same day, Mast Track matched Frost Giant as a first-time Grade 1 winner when he wired a lackluster Hollywood Gold Cup field weakened by the scratch of Heatseeker.

Frost Giant, a competitive turf horse in Ireland during his three-year-old season, had started in five allowance races and the Grade 3 Skip Away in his six starts prior to the Suburban.  Mast Track had shown his liking for synthetic surfaces with two allowance wins this year, but he had not faced stakes caliber horses on the surface prior to Saturday.

Even the most serious horseracing fans had trouble getting excited about those races or their outcomes.  Casual fans most likely would not have been able to identify a single horse in either field.

The point of tying together the story of the licensing challenges facing the connections of Curlin with the results of the Suburban and Hollywood Gold Cup is simple.  No other professional sport compares to horseracing when it comes to holding contests in which its stars do not compete. The incredible enthusiasm that shows up when a horse wins two legs of the Triple Crown illustrates that horseracing has appeal – when casual and devoted fans alike are attracted by star power.  

Most of the time, it appears to many fans that horseracing is executing a thoughtful plan to keep us from seeing horses with star power compete against each other.  I’ve heard it said that it is a problem for horseracing that its stars don’t talk.  I actually think the problem is that the stars are invisible much of the time and seldom compete against each other.

VARIOUS THOUGHT:

The stars of Breeder's Cup for 2008/2009 will be on the Turf.

RANDOM THOUGHTS:

It is trending that Synthetic Surfaces transfer the injuries from the front legs of a horse to the back and rear. One must ask, is it the Synthetic Track that takes away the front injury or is it Not Wearing "turn downs" etc. on the front hooves that causes less front leg injury? Were this the case then Synthetic Tracks do nothing but facilitate a different injury.

Trainers use turn downs/toe holds/bends on dirt tracks. Be it by choice or regulation trainers do not tend to use these shoes as often on Synthetic Surfaces.

A well maintained Dirt Track, with shoe standards for horses that protect their "Leg Health" is what racing needs.

Racing on dirt is a American Thoroughbred Tradition.

The European Tradition is Turf.   Synthetic Racing is "Virtual Racing".

There are a few Global (foreign)  Companies/Corporations that are trying to sell the concept of synthetic surfaces to the Racing Interests in the USA.

This idea has been sold to some State Officials,(albeit well intentioned but ignorant)out side of racing, who have no knowledge of racing, horses, shoes, etc.  

This idea is also being promoted by some in racing who should know better, who know that Synthetics are not the "Holy Grail"! I can only ask Why? Who benefits?

So Becky Johnston, it is not the horses of 2008 that are boring & forgettable, it is the surface of 2008/2009 that is forgettable & boring, for fans, owners, trainers, and the horses.

Just my thoughts, Kevin.

And if horse racing bores you when the "heroes" are gone, tell me why you're writing this blog again?  Something must be wrong with me but I find horse racing exciting simply because anything can happen throughout the year, as horses rise and fall in their campaigns.  If the good horses won every time, there would be no point in the game.

Now Heatseeker is out according to Blood-Horse. At least, he has an excuse as a 6 month layoff would put a serious dent in his Breeders' Cup preparation. Not even Hollendorfer's that good.

A great gaggle of comments.  If only we, the fans, had a say in the running of "our" sport.

A lot of GB horses are doing well here. Maybe the powers that be will figure it out.

Timurlenk; Secretariat retired at age 3, Man O'War retired at age 3.

Based on the idea that they have been published the 1st and 2nd best racehorse ever, I am starting to be OK with the retiring at age three thing. As long as they have 21 races like the aforementioned champions did. ;)

Seems to me one of the best things we could do is limit the amount of mares a stallion can cover in a year.  This would reduce the economic incentive to retire good horses instead of racing them.   In addition, it would reduce the level of inbreeding that allegedly is making horses more fragile.

Racing in the States is simply going through a bad period. Someone needs to step up.  Too many of the big owners are sitting back tight lipped.  Dutrow needs to become tight lipped, the guy is a horseman, nobody doubt that but he just has the constant worry of having an edge over the guy in the barn next door and feels he needs to be giving the horse something.  If all drugs were banned he would still be right up there.  He can't deal with the press and the press guys love that too, they push him to mess up cause they know he can't help himself!!  Another horse will come along next year and people will be smitten with him, Big Brown will hopefully bounce back and Curlin hopefully will go to France and race and win the Arc.  That would do racing the world of good.  Why would people not like to see their best horse travel and win, I am an Irish guy and love nothing more than to see an Irish horse travel and win (especially in England!!).  Praise Assmussen for having the guts to do what so many American trainers have not done, travel and run abroad.  In past decades it was common to see the best American horses travel to France for the Arc or to Ascot for the King George.  People say the prize money is not making it worth while. The Arc is the World's richest race this year. Big Brown is now sold, deal done, what would they have to loose by sending him for say the Irish Champion stakes over a mile and a quarter in Ireland in September on the grass, one thing is for sure the connections would have great craic and sure is that not what life is all about???

What about Divine Park? He's the only horse to run multiple 110+ Beyers and with Curlin out of the way I wouldn't be shocked if he dominates the Whitney, Woodward and JC Gold Cup.

Jason, this is one of those lull periods but as soon as the Big One and Kent D returns in the Haskell all the buzz will come back.  Bear in mind that there is a fight on for the Horse of the year between Curlin and Big Brown and it appears that the connections of both horses may be honing their strategy to capture the immagination of the public in case the clash doesn't materialize on the race track.  There is still a lot of intrigue and fascination with the sport this year so stay tuned and be patient.  

Sorry Becky my post was intended for you not Jason.

"How much for that rabbit in the window?"

You mean like Da Tara?  HAHAHA!

Alot of longshots keep coming in, so maybe a change of the guard is happening in all divisions.  New heroes are rising! Keep the faith!

I can't believe Asmussen has 18 drug violations?!?!  Dutrow only has 13 in his infamous list of 72.  WOW!

Maybe the solution would be for the NTRA to make a ruling that no horse may become a registered breeder until it reached his or her fifth birthday. Any horse bred to a four year old or less would never be allowed to race. That approach should put a damper to these early retirements and would do much to ensuring that horses are again be bred for durability as well as early speed.

I sure hope this is a lull period. I couldn't believe how weak the Suburban field was this year. Nothing but optional claimers, minor stakes competitors, and AP Arrow who doesn't have the heart to win a big race. I also agree that there needs to be a limited number of mares bred each year. There are breeders looking for ANY mare or filly with a bloodline to breed. Thats good for an owner whose filly isn't worth a crud on the track, at least she can be sold. My family bought a filly that was so high strung and nervous she would kick the stall, bite and sweat all the time, but at least we could sell her and make our money back. I believe the connections of Smarty Jones made a deal with the breeder that he only cover 100 mares a year, now that is a step in the right direction.

US Racing is slowly reaching a break point.  People are more concerned with retiring the big named horses for their lucrative breeding rights than with racing itself.  How great is it that Curlin is still racing as a 4yo when really he had nothing else left to prove in this age of retire early and go to stud?  Even mares are leaving the track early to produce foals.  It leaves the racing fans with an empty feeling - especially when races like The Mother Goose have four runners, The Suburban has no Grade 1 winners in it and the Hollywood Gold Cup runs in $10,000 claimer time (although hats off to Baze for getting away with it).  I, for one, am disappointed in the classic dirt division.  I am so glad that there are pretty good sprinters still out there as well as some quality turf horses that will at least save the BC.  The Classic will likely be a 3yo showdown since Heatseeker and Curlin won't be there - even Lava Man or Perfect Drift might have a chance now!  Let's hope Curlin's connections come back to the Classic and make it a race worth being there for.

In addition to no name horses we have the added benefit of dirt horses not handling the cushion track. I long for the days of Alysheba, Bet Twice, & Lost Code in the same race. Buckpasser, Damascus, & Dr. Fager, now that's what I'm talking about.

I think Rick is getting beat up far too harshly!  

The man does a good job, and has done a good job.  

For those of you who don't know it, it's completely legal to run your horse the way he ran his horse, also, with all of the problems he's been getting, scratching a horse can lead to a suspension, and/or fine.

This man is a good trainer!  He's not PC at all!!  But he's a good horse trainer!  He makes his clients money, he takes care of his horses, and he's a winner.

Dutrow is just one of those pople who aren't very likeable.  This industry needs the good guys and the bad guys.  It's an image, and people flock to it.  

All of us have had, or will have a horse(s) break down.  Thank God so far I haven't but I know that it's going to happen one day. People feel horrible when stuff happens to their horses, and we need to stop beating up on Dutrow.  He's a good guy, and he's a great horseman!

As to retiring at the age of three Secretariat and ManO War were mentioned.  But not only as was stated that they ran 21 times in the case of ManO War he also carried more weight than most horses today and more than the older horses of his day.

Junior Gator Racing: You must have horses in Dutrow's barn with that glowing recommendation. I own and race a couple race horses and my trainer is a real horseman. Real horsemen don't use anabolic steroids to make their horses run. They TRAIN them. Our babies aren't raised on anabolic steroids either. Just good groceries and room to run as they should.

Perfect Drift needs to be retired.  It is quite evident this horse no longer able to compete the way he once did, and that has been obvious for a long time. It is so sad watching him finish practically last every time he races now. It is heartbreaking. The same thing with Evening Attire, Better Talk Now and Lava Man. The horse that I wanted to see compete for another year,  Bernardini, retires after, what 6 races.  Now this is ridiculous, 6 races and the horse is done.  I wanted to see exactly how good he was,  but now I will never know how good Bernardini could have been because they rushed him into the breeding shed so fast I think some people forgot he even existed. And, personally I think he was better than Big Brown,  but we will never know.

JJ, to set the record straight 2 in a lapse of more than 50 years don´t make a trend, they are the exceptions.

Evening Attire finished second in his most recent race, right? Why retire a horse if they're competing? The same with Better Talk Now! He comes home angry when he loses. He had a rough trip out last time! What'd he finish, fifth or something? Not too bad.

Some horses don't like to be away from the track. Barclay Tagg had a good quote about that in one of the videos here on The Bloodhorse -

"Let them go out and be horse!"

'They've grown up in the racetrack enviornment' which, as you should know, is relatively plush. He compared letting a horse use to the racetrack life and then being put out without attention in an open field, to people use to city life being put back in a cave and making fire for themselves. Not directly quoted ;)

I agree with you on Bernardini, Perfect Drift, and Lava Man. Lava Man was just another overrated California horse anyway. :D

And on another note, there's just no pleasing some people!

'Race them longer!'

vs.

'Oh man, you're a jerk, you've raced them far too long!'

I mean, what do you want?!

I live in the deep south; NBC coverage of the Breeders' Cup was bumped by regional coverage of college football every year.  TVG and HRTV are not available here; why should I get enthused about Big Brown in the Haskell-and I attended the Belmont-when there is no national coverage other than TVG?  The past two years the Stephen Foster has been absent from NTRA/ESPN coverage.  I watched the Hollywood Gold Cup; noticed the telecast did not show or mention the winners of the Suburban or Mother Goose.  The NTRA and the Cup have been turned over to "marketers"-many of whom never attended a race-and coverage seems more exclusive and seating more expensive-in hard times.  The whiz kids have made a "sport" an "industry",  and they have no concern for the fan in the stands, or in front of the television.

Evening Attire finished second in a Grade II race the day before the Belmont.  He won a Grade III last December.  In his last twelve starts (dating back to June of 07), he's gotten a check in ten starts and finished on the board in six.  Why retire him?  His owners tried it a year or so ago, and he hated it.  

And Becky, I apologize for posting this here, but I couldn't find an e-mail contact for you.  Thanks for the link to Brooklyn Backstretch on the right--much appreciated, and thanks for your writing--

Thanks B A, I don't have horses with Mr. Dutrow.  I too like you don't like roids.  I don't tap, block, use steroids, none of that.  Good feed, good care and run them where they belong.  I do supplement my feed with Calf Mana and Red Cell, and I also give my poor eaters a vitamin cocktail, and my runners a jug in the summer after they run.  

I feel strongly that we have to have standards at least that are personal, and full of integrity.

As an owner, I do understand where a person can have a thought of compromising ones standard when the bills keep coming in, and all you need is this one little shot that will make all of the difference.  As a trainer, I too understand the pressure that these guys can be under when you have an owner that's pay potentially thousands of dollars a month, and he's or she's running 4th and 5th.  It can get tough, and you don't want to loose your horses to the next trainer who's telling your owner how much money they can make for them, and how many lengths they can move their horses up.  

It's a tough business, and it's just that a business.

Anne, you missed my point about the heroes.  I am a hooked fan forever and can watch endless 5000k claiming races.  However, I will stand by my statement that the stars of racing retire too soon, race too little during their careers, and often do not run against each other often enough.  That is why the number of fans of he sport is on the decline.

I saw my first Derby in 1968. I was

9 and I was in love with everything

about thoroughbred racing. I still am but there was a time of separation. I lost an entire collection of racing memorabilia in a flood in 1992. I walked away.

When I decided to rebuild and take another chance things weren't quite the same. I really appreciate the knowledge you gals and guys bring to the table. What I've been reading here today is spot on. I am going to support the sport but it is an understatement to say that important changes are needed in all areas and very soon. Thanks for listening.        

Question: Has there actually been a study saying that horse racing fans are in decline? Hahah.

Check out Citation's rap sheet on running back...two best Amercian race Horses ever...Citation & John Henry...Long Live The King!!!

Unrequited fractured his pelvis and was euthanized.

Dutrow frequently races his horses on short rest - 14 times prior with only one in between.  I don't recall any other breakdowns, do you?  This wouldn't even be news if not for the current hysteria.  Get a grip.