Rene Douglas and Caltech

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Jack from Michigan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:17:49 GMT

Rene,

My spirit was with you prior to your accident and will stay with you until

and after your recovery. Your desire

to win will carry you through this

tragedy and make you a stronger winner than you ever deemed. God

Bless you & your Family. I constantly pray for you Rene.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Doreen — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:21:54 GMT

As a family spokesperson for the Douglas family I have read all of these posts and the family thanks everyone for there support. Yes I do believe Jamie's suspension was the lightest one given for what he caused to both horse and rider. He had his appeal denied because he had 11 infractions in the past. But to have the nerve to even try and appeal those days was absurd. If he was any kind of man he should have forgone his flight back to KY that night and went to the hospital to see Rene.But he jumped on his flight home and made some comments that he felt he didn't deserve days, His wife has done most of the talking and he has hardly said anything. Now they claim there not welcomed at the hospital but now is to late you needed to be there that night not one-two weeks later. Jamie and his wife are still going out and attending concerts and living. Rene has been laying on his back since May 23 not knowing if he will ever walk again. Remember words travel fast so what you do over in KY gets back to IL pretty quickly. And the stories are not growing or being made bigger than they are this info is from reliable sources. So I hope one day Jamie realizes what he did to Rene effected the whole Douglas Family and his friends. In his heart I hope he makes peace with God for this unforgiveable act.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Kenneth Skinner — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:05:43 GMT

Rene is and always will be our friend.Many of us have failed in getting proper leadership involved securing saftey and insurance.We jockeys do not go racing for spite.We try our hardest to win the 10% of 60% of the purse money that is divided 25-30% to an agent,5% to a valet plus state and federal tax.On top of that we pay the jockeys guild aproximately $10.00 every ride we race.Anyone following? Good Luck Rene!

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

ERIK YOUR BROTHER — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:53:58 GMT

rene stay strong ok if anybody will pull through this it will be you. I love you with all my heart your little bro erik.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

sweet terchi — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:45:24 GMT

Jorge L. Suarez, thank you for your heartfelt post. Rene needs all of our prayers.

helsbelles, really? If true, what a cowardly act to try and settle a score. I truly hope that at the hearings, a harsher sentence is meted out. A 30 day suspension for such a tragedy is insulting.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

helsbelles — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:08:01 GMT

This weekend I heard an encouraging report of improvement in Rene Douglas' condition, as well as a disturbing rumour of animosity prior to the incident. Hopefully the truth will prevail in the hearings, but that is unlikely given horse racing's code of secrecy.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Jorge L. Suarez — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:48:22 GMT

Rene rode two horse I bred and won

with both of them, when he got on top of my horses I knew he was the best rider because he his integrity

and desire to win, but when tod me:

Jorge you breed beautiful horses that made proud because when we breed horse are babies. Snow Landing and Redhiya were the two winners but Rene is beside being a

top rider he is great human being.

I know Rene will recover and enjoy

life with his family. I pray every

day for his recovery.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Butch Coyoca — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:36:54 GMT

Keep it going Rene. You're a mortal lock to recovery. Much the best to you and the family. Thanks Becky for posting this.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Ellie — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:07:43 GMT

Thank you for a fabulous collection of races. My prayers go out to Rene and his family. I pray he can regain the use of his legs but mostly I am thankful he did not suffer any brain damage in such a horrific spill.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

chris block — Sun, 31 May 2009 07:36:07 GMT

rene is a true champion in our sport, putting it all on the line for us time and time again. even though the son of a bitch cost me every time i run against him. just kidding buddy. i pray for ya daily, and i know you will be back, because if anyone can it's surely you

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

RHSxTWO — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:01:28 GMT

My thoughts and prayers go out to Rene and Inez. I've had two family members who were involved in life altering medical incidents since December. It's almost impossible to comprehend, but we must try and stay positive.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

silverblue — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:05:30 GMT

My wishes would be for Rene to concentrate on getting better.To find a way to forsee a future ahead of him with his friends and family who love him.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Ragsy — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:24:50 GMT

My thoughts and prayers are for Rene Douglas and his family.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Jim P — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:39:30 GMT

What a tragedy. I'm so sad for Rene and Born To Be.

My friend and her daughter just returned from India. The daughter had been a quad for 18 years. While she'll need more stem cell work for her spinal cord she came back able to walk and with normal blood pressure for the first time since her trafic fall from an ocean cliff.

By the way, they are Christian and lead a life of service.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Rechelle — Fri, 29 May 2009 01:14:29 GMT

I am astounded to hear that Jamie Theriot is even entertaining the thought of appealing his sentence! Does he not understand he is LUCKY that it was as mild as it was??? His actions directly caused a promising filly her life and an extrodinarily talented jockey his livelihood!

For Rene, I've had back surgery and I know the pain that he must be feeling. I will continue to pray that he pulls through and will regain some use of his legs. My heart goes out to his family & friends during this very difficult time. For the connections of the beautiful filly Born To Be, my condolences on your loss. As a horse owner, I know the inexplicable love that people can have for their horse and the horrible pain that comes with their suffering and their deaths.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Sally F — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:23:07 GMT

I can only send words of encouragement and hope to Rene Douglas and know that he will recover and find a path in life that will be fulfilling. I, too, was injured very very seriously in an airplane crash and but for miracles did not lose my leg (critical injury) nor become paralyzed (two broken vertebrae) in my back. I survived and went on with life and I have a feeling that Rene will do the same.

I love and feel deeply for the loss of Born to Be. I love horses and racing and wish these things would never happen. I remain a fan and have the utmost respect for both horse and jockey. May the Great Spirit always ride with them all!!!!!

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

sweet terchi — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:48:12 GMT

Like Lmaris said,crocodile tears.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

helsbelles — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:09:34 GMT

I was willing to give Theriot the benefit of the doubt, but his statement in the DRF on the ESPN website (that has since been altered!) that yes indeed he brushed Rene's horse, but in the past he has received lighter suspensions for doing similar things, really turned my stomach. Does he even know how bad that sounds? His agent must have gotten to the author and had him change the quote. I pray for Rene, and his family, and I am very very sad for Born to Be; no horse should suffer such a violent end.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Stephanie — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:11:24 GMT

Dear Rene: I am praying each day for you and your family. You have had a tough last few years and now this. It just doesn't seem fair. But you are a fighter, Rene. And I know you can overcome this trial in your life. Don't give up. You have a legion of loyal fans pulling for you.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Lmaris — Thu, 28 May 2009 05:10:16 GMT

I say Theriot should be allowed to ride, but only on the following condition: $0.75 of every $1 he earns be divided 50 cents to Rene Douglas, and 25 cents to the owners of Born to Be until her value is recouped. After that, all 75 cents goes to Rene Douglas.

Theriott's tearful apology was nothing but crocodile tears, as his immediate appeal proves.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

John T. — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:04:19 GMT

Rene Douglas was a great jockey no question about it but every jockey no matter how good he is in on a horse should be regonised when something like this happens.Every jockey who throws his leg over a horse knows this can happen at anytime so lets salute them all great or small.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Robin — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:34:39 GMT

Thanks for the videos of Rene. He and his family are in our prayers. This incident brings to mind the injury and subsequent paralysis of Ronny Turcotte many years ago. There's no safety net aboard a horse going 40mph. Everyone in the business needs to be acutely aware of what's at stake. No win is worth killing or severely injuring human or equine. JT is also in our prayers as he may find forgiveness more difficult to obtain.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

sweet terchi — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:48:08 GMT

Well I see Theriot lost no time in appealing the suspension. Wonder what best intrests he's referring to? Please!!

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

Becky Johnston — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:07:28 GMT

Gunbow, I think Exogenous actually lived several days and was doing so well that Schulhofer even talked about her racing again, unfortunately her condition deteriorated and she didn't make it.

re: Rene Douglas and Caltech

sweet terchi — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:04:06 GMT

A horse going down is a horrific sight to see, since their instinct has them struggling to arise and continue running. I am not sure the track surface in some cases is to blame, but I bet medication has some bearing also. I read that lasix might leach calcium from the bone. Anyhow like I said with all the medical progress made over the years Rene has a excellent chance, and horse wise Dancinginmydreams shows progress made on the equine front