Controversy or Boredom?

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Alan — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:14:22 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Becky Johnston — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:32:21 GMT

Unrequited fractured his pelvis and was euthanized.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Bellwether — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:38:30 GMT

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

re: Controversy or Boredom?

jj — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:45:35 GMT

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

re: Controversy or Boredom?

gammyp6 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:10:11 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Bob Hill — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:30:39 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Junior Gators Racing — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:28:51 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Teresa at Brooklyn Backstretch — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:19:48 GMT

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--

re: Controversy or Boredom?

joe — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:42:32 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

jj — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:43:50 GMT

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?!

re: Controversy or Boredom?

jj — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:41:59 GMT

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

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Timurlenk — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:05:15 GMT

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

re: Controversy or Boredom?

FormerFan — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:59:07 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

BA — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:34:19 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

geegees — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:08:39 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Junior Gators Racing — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:48:37 GMT

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!

re: Controversy or Boredom?

FrankK — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:38:13 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

RK Thoroughbreds - www.rkthoroughbreds.com — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:37:14 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Clay — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:07:44 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Charlotte Ann — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:58:44 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Jen — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:02:40 GMT

"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!

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Ranagulzion — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:10:41 GMT

Sorry Becky my post was intended for you not Jason.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Ranagulzion — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:05:32 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

cs — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:04:00 GMT

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.

re: Controversy or Boredom?

Mac — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:55:39 GMT

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???