The Summer Places to Be - By Evan Hammonds

re: The Summer Places to Be - By Evan Hammonds

Lava'sStilltheMan — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:31:19 GMT

Del Mar is a big "party." This has plusses and minuses. Big crowds and excitement are offset by being stuck in betting lines behind people who have no clue and folks who don't understand basic racetrack etiquette. I could put up with it if the track itself played fair. Standard handicapping principles don't seem to apply at Del Mar. The payoffs are big because you are basically playing lotto. I can't wait for Santa Anita. The people who go to that beautiful track are actually there for the races rather than the party.

re: The Summer Places to Be - By Evan Hammonds

Fran Loszynski — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:21:36 GMT

gbb: Mr. Depalma is right come back to racing, your spot along the rail can only be missed and if we don't have fans like you how will racing reach it's ultimate goal for the fan to enjoy, for the breeder to sell well, for the owner and trainer to achieve his dream, the jockey to exhibit his love for racehorses- and above all for the racehorse to have the bluegrass under his "old" hoofs as he did when he was a young foal. It's not only about "big" money. When you see the nostrils of a racehorse fill with the wind during a breeze and his mane sway across his elegant head, a bob or two toward the other horses of a good race run and his gentle eyes sharp with the view of the finish line; you will return, simply because we need fans like you to help make this sport great, you teach to treasure "the racehorse".

re: The Summer Places to Be - By Evan Hammonds

KarenToga — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:18:20 GMT

I urge you to get vocal and get out and support the wonderful organizations that take care of our warriors when they retire. I attended the TRF gala this past week and was thrilled to see the support and monies (500,000) headed toward an organization that

has fed, cared and found homes for thousands of thorougbreds. There is such a need for them to continue to survive as an organization. I had taken a hiatus from the racetrack while i was busy raising my family and returned in the last few years. Before I got involved i thoroughly checked out the current state of how we are treated these magnificent warriors and was thrilled to see how in the last 5 years such enormous advances have been made to insure their care. It would be a sad day for our world if there were no longer thoroughbred breeding farms due to the demise of the sport. Can you imagine how awful it would be if the farms turned to blacktop and shopping malls. We need the horses as much as they need us. We need to continue our efforts and build on the successes of the last 5 years and work tirelessly to create a safe haven for them when they retire. Long live horseracing , long live the horses!

re: The Summer Places to Be - By Evan Hammonds

robert depalma — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:56:32 GMT

Come back to racing, there are some great people, like Michael Blowen at Old Friends in Georgetown, KY that have not only created a wonderful home for these magnificent animals, but are creating positive change in the industry. We have a long way to go, but we have also made significant progress. I strongly encourage to visit Old Friends, or their branch outside Saratoga that has been named in honor of Bobby Frankel, or just call Michael and get involved. You will be blown away by his positive energy and enthusiasm and I respectfully suggest that your direct involvement will do more to bring about positive change than sitting on the sidelines in protest.

re: The Summer Places to Be - By Evan Hammonds

greatbigbubby — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:49:05 GMT

i've always loved horseracing, but have left because of some irresponsible breeders, owners and trainers using the slaughter house as a dumping ground for these beautiful animals. when they start providing for their horse's care after racing, then i'll once again join. it doesn't matter if you delete this comment, as long as someone reads it.