The Circus Comes to Town - By Evan Hammonds

re: The Circus Comes to Town - By Evan Hammonds

predict — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 05:49:01 GMT

Not so sure this is a bad thing. If we look back at the 2005 Breeders Cup, at Belmont, when something may have happened to cause an unusual thing to happen. I cannot say for sure that something was purposely done or something very ignorant, but two horses that went to Belmont, known to be healthy and both among the favorites in their races, both ran poorly, and returned to their homes only to develop cancer and die. One was a filly from Canada, I can't remember the name, but the other was Lost in the Fog, the overwhelming favorite in The Sprint. What is unusual about this whole thing is that it is very rare for a young horse to develop cancer at all. However, both these young horses did, which begs the question, why? Were they exposed to something in their stables that was a dangerous carcinogen? Vets that examined Lost in the Fog, found numerous tumors, including a football sized one on his spleen, which might suggest something was carried there in his blood, in my opinion and I'm no vet. But it makes me wonder, did someone want to make these horses perform poorly so as to give them an illegal betting edge? With large sums of money at stake one can only wonder, and of course we are talking New York here, not exactly the state of little known organized crime. So lets just hope that whatever they are doing is being done to protect the horses and not the opposite, to make it easier to endanger them. I'm just saying...

re: The Circus Comes to Town - By Evan Hammonds

'tariat — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 04:50:25 GMT

I disagree with all of you, you bunch of pansy-assed whiners. Good for New York for raising standards and doing what is necessary to keep the sport clean. God know after FOUR time (caught!) cheater Doug ONeil has disgraced our sport, we need to clean house. I agree with Penny Chenery. D.O. is an embarrassment. And so are all you baby whiners. Probably a bunch of low life gambling addicts. You certainly don't care about what's in the best interests of the horse (which means no milkshaking or any other illegal substance ONeil gives to his horse) nor do you care about what's in the best interests of the sport (which means to get it CLEANED UP in the view of the TV fans)Your complaining is juvenile and moronic. I'm cheering for ABDO....Anybody But Doug Oneil.

re: The Circus Comes to Town - By Evan Hammonds

Windy City — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 23:30:34 GMT

Let me put in this way: Big Brown's Belmont was less embarrassing to the general public that decision on "stakes" barn. What's next? Are they going to ban saddles or bridles? After all, it's "equipment", and can break....Pathetic and sad, sad because racing industry is trying to commit suicide in the middle of crowded place....Sad

re: The Circus Comes to Town - By Evan Hammonds

Linda Waltman — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:23:44 GMT

This is certainly a sad state of affairs for what could possibly be the first Triple Crown winner in 34 years. Next I'm sure they will start on Lava Man. A retired racehorse may not pony a runner in a race. Absolutely ridculous. It is a shame that we have to enter such an important event in this matter. I hope I'll Have Another beats everyone and comes out a true champion. Best of luck.

re: The Circus Comes to Town - By Evan Hammonds

datflippinrabbit — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 09:08:44 GMT

Muckraker,are they a bunch of guys in trench coats following any one that speakes to Rick Duntrow as well??? or is it just Doug O'Neill.

re: The Circus Comes to Town - By Evan Hammonds

Mac Macus — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 05:34:00 GMT

once again a governing body has concluded that it is much more important to "appear" to be doing something significant than to actually be "doing" something significant.

re: The Circus Comes to Town - By Evan Hammonds

Aspercel — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 21:25:40 GMT

Muckraker, that is insane!!

re: The Circus Comes to Town - By Evan Hammonds

an ole railbird — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 19:46:43 GMT

this hypocrisy brings to mind the opening of parimutel in texas in the 80s ,after years &years of no paramutel. the opposition to racing was allowed to write the rules for security. there were security people coming out of the wood work. you couldnt do your job for being questioned by security personal. the cost of security in brady ,texas ,population less than 15000. was higher than cost of security @ los alamitos in california. needless to say ,it was not cost affective& the meet folded.

re: The Circus Comes to Town - By Evan Hammonds

kittybay — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:45:36 GMT

Yep, can you say "hypocrites?" The other part that irks me is how all of a sudden, nasal strips aren't allowed either. I'm amazed they're not banning tongue ties and nosebands (IHA's "winsalot"), they've lost their minds.

re: The Circus Comes to Town - By Evan Hammonds

muckraker — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:28:30 GMT

Here is how unreal it is. After interviewing Doug O'Neill this morning, I was making my way to another barn when I realized I was being followed. As it turns out, the stocky guy in the trench coat had seen me interview Doug and needed to record my name, press badge number, organization and time of interview. After providing said information, I went to two other barns where Belmont starters are located, neither of which had any security, much less someone recording every move.