TBA

Just Watch Real Sports?

Mon, 12 May 2008 20:50 GMT

(arimoore) When you're done weeping and vomiting, I would encourage you to start your own personal Pony Up! program. Everyone can help. I sincerely hope the members of the Thoroughbred Safety Committee keep that footage in mind when they discuss (drastically) reducing the number of mares covered by stallions. And here's Ed DeRosa's piece on Little Cliff [...]

My New Favorite Angle

Mon, 12 May 2008 20:40 GMT

Earlier this year I saw Preakness contender Kentucky Bear win his debut at Gulfstream Park. The 6 1/2-length win was impressive enough, but what I found most memorable was the toteboard action — Kentucky Bear was hammered down from a 10-1 (I think it was 10-1, it may have been 8-1 or 12-1) morning line to 9-5 on the first click, and then drifted back up to 10-1 by post time. He paid $23.40 to win.

I noticed a similar pattern when She's All Eltish won the Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream in March. She was 9-2 on the morning line, was bet down to even money right away, then drifted back up to near her morning line. She won easily, paying a decent $10.80 in a compact six-horse field.

It happened again (and again) when I visited Monmouth Park this past Saturday. In the 3rd race, Light Wrap was bet down from a 12-1 morning line to 4-1, before drifting back up to 13-1. He won easily, paying $29.60. In the very next race, Little Cherokee (15-1 ML) was bet down to 4-1 early in the wagering, before drifting up to 14-1. He was gunned to the lead and held on, paying $31(!). I kicked myself for missing Light Wrap, but I did have a few shekels on Little Cherokee.

My rationale for this angle is as follows: early betting action is very often a positive signal that the horse is live (horses' connections do like to cash tickets, after all). If the odds go low and stay low, it's not an especially compelling betting proposition, because you're paying for the positive signal in the form of lower odds. But if the odds go low before drifting up to about where would be expected based on the horse's performance lines, you're essentially getting that positive signal for free.

As I see it, this angle is best applied for cheap horses, horses coming off layoffs, first-time starters, shippers, horses starting first time off a claim, etc….in other words, horses whose past performances may have comparatively low predictive value (the Monmouth races I highlighted were $32K and $16K claimers, where form can easily trumped by less tangible factors). I suspect this angle works less well for high-quality horses, veteran horses with established, reasonably consistent form, etc. …in other words, the horses whose form holds comparatively high predictive value.

To be sure, like any angle, it don't always work, even when all the stars seem to align. Beyond the innate vagaries and capriciousness of the racetrack, false positives are a big risk. What's a false positive? Well I know a guy who bought a cheapish NJ-bred with a couple partners about 6-7 years ago. In his debut race at Monmouth, an overly enthusiastic co-owner plunked down $500 to win on him at the first click of the odds, pushing a 15-1 morning line down to about 3-1, despite not having any real bullish report from the trainer. The horse went off at almost 20-1 and finished last.

Caveat emptor.

Monday Night Notes

Mon, 12 May 2008 19:10 GMT

- A couple of readers brought up Bernardini in response to my being in favor of Stronach's decision to not run Harlem Rocker. Not only is that an excellent point, but their campaigns were rather similar to this point. Harlem Rocker took a seven furlong race at Gulfstream in his debut, then won a mile allowance there before taking the Withers. His Beyers were 81-97-106. Bernardini had a bad start and ran 4th in his debut, a six furlong race at Gulfstream. But, like Harlem Rocker, he won a one turn mile at Gulfstream in his second start and then, in Bernardini's case, went directly into the Withers from the maiden ranks. His Beyers were 68-90-104. So, true, Harlem Rocker is in a similar spot as was Bernardini; and in fact, he's been better.

Yes, BobF, Frank Stronach is Canadian, so it makes perfect sense that he would point this colt to the Queen's Plate. And since that race is not until June 22, he can run in a two-turn prep; perhaps even the Plate Trial on June 1. With all due respect, I still think Frank is doing the right thing here. Yes, Bernardini dared to face Barbaro, and he did get the win, albeit a tainted one. But I'm sure I was against him running in the Preakness too!

I guess I'm just conservative in these matters, and I'm expressing the way I'd manage a horse like this if I were the owner. Or, at least the way I'd like to think I would. Yes, it's the Preakness, but it's a long season, with a lot of opportunities to come. Who's thinking about the Preakness on Travers Day? Why not give the horse some time and foundation? Because, of course, I would be the sporting type and bring him back to race at four and five.

But wait a minute - foundation? experience? Who needs that if a horse can ship here from Japan and romp in a graded stakes in his second start?? I don't know how to respond to that. That, and Big Brown's Derby win, makes my argument seem outdated. So I'll at least concede that there would have been nothing wrong with running Harlem Rocker in the Preakness, and I take back what I said about the Toddster. However, I still think Frank is doing the right thing for the horse (even though he's probably doing it for himself).

- Do you think that Harlem Rocker will like long distances? He's by the second year sire Macho Uno, who himself won the Juvenile, Pennsylvania Derby, and Mass Cap. But he in turn is by Holy Bull, who is by Great Above, and I generally think more in terms of speed with that sire line. And his broodmare sire, Lit de Justice, was a spinter himself; and the BC Sprint and Eclipse winner in 1996.

Harlem Rocker out; Gayego in (maybe)

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:39 GMT

Just a quick update for today. The bulk of my Preakness posts will be coming later in the week as I attempt to attend the Alibi breakfast at Pimlico on Thursday, and then take in both the Black Eyed Susan and Preakness cards on Friday and Saturday. Once the post positions have been established on [...]

Still Thinking About Eight Belles? Leading Vet Hogan Suggests That Thoroughbreds Could Learn A Lot From Standardbreds

Mon, 12 May 2008 17:44 GMT

Dr. Patty Hogan in surgery

Carol Hodes, former media relations director for the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has posted a terrific interview with one of my favorite sources, Patty Hogan VMD, ACVS of the new Hogan Equine Clinic LLC in Cream Ridge, New Jersey.

Two years ago, it was Hogan who testified against her veterinary brethren in front of the US Congress, and explained why she was not aligning herself with AVMA and AAEP political positions regarding slaughter of horses for meat. She didn’t like the idea of the whole horse meat slaughter industry and she gave poignant compelling reasons why. Congress listened.

So when Eight Belles died tragically on the track at the end of the Kentucky Derby, journalist Hodes turned to Hogan for insight. Hogan, after all, is often described as the veterinarian who saved Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones, and she is the AAEP’s “On Call” veterinarian for some harness races that are televised.

Carol’s entire interview with Hogan is posted on the HarnessLink web site in New Zealand. I highly recommend you follow this link and read the entire interview, but here are a few savvy comments from one of the best industry’s most independent thinkers and leading surgeons.

This fall, Hogan will take over as head surgeon of the new Ruffian Equine Medical Center at Belmont Park, owned by IEAH, who also own 2008 Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown.

Hogan: “I’ve seen horses break both ankles, in fact I repaired one this past week that came to me with a fracture in one hind leg, and I repaired it. When he got up, the other leg was broken. He was a thoroughbred with bilateral injuries, similar to hers, but not so severe. But that’s so rare.

“For it to occur at the end of the race is very unusual. She [Eight Belles] must have had enormous fatigue, and that’s just puzzling. I know she was very well taken care of. I don’t think there was any smoke and mirrors there. That trainer [Larry Jones] is very honest. I don’t think the jock [Gabriel Saez] deserves the criticism he’s received at all.”

“I’m sure genetics has played a role because [catastrophic injury] has increased in recent years. A lot of horses that have retired to be bred are not necessarily the most durable horses. They’ve hurt themselves after one or two races, and then they are sent to be bred.”

From there, the interview heads in a new direction: why don’t Standardbreds break down the way that Thoroughbreds do? Hogan’s practice is evenly divided between the two breeds. Hode digs for some answers and Hogan supplies some good ones:

“(Standardbreds) are being bred for speed and they’re getting sore, but they don’t kill themselves. The horses that end up going to the breeding shed, at least with the stallions, they’re the ones that have performed incredibly well and raced well.”

“The prognosis is always better for standardbreds than it is for thoroughbreds. They always come back from everything. I definitely have a different set of prognoses that I can give for a standardbred vs. a thoroughbred even if it is exactly the same injury. It’s rare for a standardbred to founder or have laminitis as a result of having an injury in the other leg. With a thoroughbred it’s a huge priority.”

Thanks to HarnessLink.com and Carol Hodes for the good work on this interview.

Foaling time is over, now the real work begins

Mon, 12 May 2008 17:42 GMT

Everyone looks forward to the new foals each year and thanks to technology it is easier to ever to watch mares as they get close to foaling time. After years of getting up every hour or sleeping on cots in barns just to miss the wonderful event as you try to catch a nap or run a quick errand, we now have foaling down to a science.

Three years ago we invested in foal cams and a foaling alert system. Now we sleep through the night and don't feel as if we are chained to the barn. We can carry on as usual until the phone rings to alert us of mare laying down and then we log on to the computer to watch the mare in case assistance is required. Isn't technology great?

This year we had a small crop, only 4 foals. All but one were incredibly healthy. The other needed a little help. His mother had dripped milk for over two weeks and didn't provide her foal with adequate colostrum. The foal responded fine and would get up and visit with us each time we went into the stall but as we monitored his behavior from the computer we noticed he was not as active as a normal foal and spent a lot of time laying down. We called the vet early the next morning and as expected he was in need of plasma. Almost immediately the colt recovered and is now doing wonderful. Without the monitoring system we may not have noticed the lethargic behavior as quickly and been able to take the action needed in as timely of manner.

I recommend anyone with mares and foals get a foal cam and a foaling alert system. If you save one foal you will repay yourself hundreds of times over. Anyone interested in the system can contact us or go to our website and see our cameras at the farm. We also have a camera system at the racetrack where owners can log in to see their horses anytime during the day.

Incidentally one of my little boogers kicked the snot out of me a couple of days after he was born. Got to love them though... Now all four are halter broke, picking up there feet and on their way to a good start as being racehorses.

The Sale

Mon, 12 May 2008 17:33 GMT

Saturday, May 10 after the races at Canterbury Park was the Upper Midwest Two-Year Old in Training sale sponsored by the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association. I've been a member of the MTA for a couple of years, but this is the first time I've been able to help out at a sale.

It was an intriguing group of two and three year-olds (the name aside, there were 6 unraced three year-olds in the sale) that made their way into the ring that evening. The day before, a gorgeous spring day, most of the horses worked at one or two furlongs for the potential buyers. I had to work, so I couldn't get out to the track, but Saturday at the races they were on a continuous loop in the paddock lounge. There were several impressive workouts on Friday, the most precocious was by Silver Senorita (Gahzi -Argenti - Minneapple),a two-year filly who burned a furlong in 10.61 seconds. She sold for $23,000. Not a bad price for a Minnesota-bred.

My eyes were on hip number 6, a chestnut colt named Perfect Honor (Put It Back - Perfect Raj - Rajab), a nice looking Florida-bred who had drilled the day before in 12.03. Now, 12.03 may not be as impressive as 10.61, but the last I checked, they didn't card any 1 furlong races. Personally, I am a little suspicious about a youngster blistering workouts at such a young age. Again, this is only my opinion, but pushing a horse so young to run so hard can be damaging to a young racehorse. I'd rather wait for soundness and give the horse a chance to develop naturally. I'd like to be racing at 4 rather than being injured at two and a half.

The colt looked good and had a nice pedigree: mom's had 11 foals, 10 raced and 8 were winners including 3 stakes winners and over half of dad's foals have been racers with 15 stakes winners. I liked the fact that he was a Florida-bred as our trainer winters at Tampa Bay Downs and if he developed nicely he could stay and compete locally while if he was slower to develop he could probably compete here in Minnesota. The bidding started low and never got high. He was bought back at $4500. I don't know what his reserve was, but I understand it was more than I would have been willing to spend. A noted bloodstock agent mentioned that he thought my instincts were right on about the colt, so I had a moral victory. Time will tell and I added him to my stable mail to keep an eye on him.

The top grossing horse in the sale was hip number 26 - Joubert's Gold (Johannesburg - Proud n' Appeal - Proud Appeal). There were rumblings all along the back stretch about this colt. It was rumored that he was no-saled at the Keeneland sale at $40,000. How in the world did the consignor think he was going make more money here in Minnesota? I mean, I'm an MTA member and I think we did a pretty good job, but for all intents and purposes this was the first two-year old sale we ever had. I guess there was one about 17 years ago, but not one since. There were 27 horses in the sale, so we had a ways to go before we got to number 26, but I was really intrigued.

My job at the sale was registering bidders. Not a particular demanding job, but it gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of people and get into circulation. It also meant that I was busy through the first 10 hip numbers, but by the time Joubert's Gold came into the ring I was done and could watch the bidding. No one opened the bidding at $10,000. I was flabbergasted. The opening bid was only $5,000 and I thought, 'ouch, what a dud'. Once the bidding started, it shot through $10,000 in about 5 seconds and kept going until a stall at about $29,000. After a second or two things got rolling again and the bidding quickly pushed to $39,000. Then $39,500. Then $40,000. By the time our auctioneer finished trying to cajole another bid, the gavel fell at at $40,000. Was it a buyback, though? No! SOLD! to Carolyn Friedberg for the same $40,000 that was rejected a month or so before in Kentucky.

Funny thing about horse auctions - when you take one to a few and the bidding stops around the same number, no matter what your heart may say, you've found the market price of your colt.

If you want to check out the sale results for yourself as well as the catalogue, go to the MTA website. While you're there, check it all out - there's some nice racing going on in Minnesota!

HBO's "Real Sports" Investigates Racehorses Sold for Slaughter Issues Tonight

Mon, 12 May 2008 16:34 GMT

"Real Sports" host Bryant Gumbel headlines HBO's sports newsmagazine format show at 10 p.m. EDT. On the schedule: an investigative segment on the fate of US racehorses in the hands of the slaughter-for-meat industry. HBO has not disclosed many details about tonight's segment but the press release tells us that the segment is called "Hidden Horses" and describes it this way: "Few casual horse

Maddening media

Mon, 12 May 2008 15:22 GMT

The situation with Eight Belles has illustrated my disdain for the media. Unfortunately, most outlets tell the story they want to tell rather than the actual story. The vocal minority gets the soundbytes while anyone who's really in the mix goes ignored. A story in the Lexington Herald-Leader commented that the Eight Belles tragedy has turned people off the sport. It quoted one woman who lives in Sunbury, Ohio, who said she didn't even watch the Derby because of a previous incident at a three-day eventing event. How could Eight Belles's death have turned her off if she didn't watch...

Spooky 33

Mon, 12 May 2008 15:20 GMT

Which is more suprising to you: 1) Spooky Mulder, the 10 year old gelding with a big heart, won his 33rd race today (Delaware Park, Race 4, 5 1/2 furlongs); or 2) He was claimed out of that race for $32,000 by David Jacobson on his own behalf; or 3) Twentieth Century Fox is preparing a sequel to the X-Files movie that will be released this year. I, for one, find option 3 to be the most

Stakes Recap

Mon, 12 May 2008 13:59 GMT

This past weekend had many great stakes races. I was particularly impressed with the Peter Pan, and LA Handicap. Both races gave birth to new stars in two divisions that greatly need them. Casino Drive, who won the Peter Pan will compete heavily for the Belmont Stakes. He is probably the second best three year old right now, and I believe he has room for improvement. Street Boss, who had cleared his allowance ranks and finally moved to stakes company was awe inspiring. He stumbled out of the gate, won easily, and on top of that he broke the track record. With the retirement of Greg’s Gold, this horse is now the big fish in the California sprint division.

The Lonestar Derby didn’t solve much if you ask me. El Gato Malo barely got up, and two lackluster horses were right behind him. I have to question if that one is of top caliber. Samba Rooster ran his race on the front end, but couldn’t hold up. The connections might want to try a Grade III next time. He would likely win. Going back to the Peter Pan, I was disappointed with how Tomcito ran. I think he needs to be farther off the pace, twice in a row I believe the jockey has had him too close early on in the race.

In the Bold Ruler at Belmont, Lucky Island looked very good in his win. Executive Fleet was very disappointing. He was no where to be found when the race heated up. Forefathers, unable to break his losing streak ran third. I’d drop that horse to allowance company just to try and get a win in him. He hasn’t won since 2006.

Peter Pan S. (G2)

Next Post 5:49 Off: 5:17 | 1 1/8 Miles | 3 Year Olds | Stakes | Purse: $200,000

#	Horse	Jockey	Weight	Win	Place	Show
1	Casino Drive	Desormeaux K J	116	4.50	3.90	2.80
3	Mint Lane	Coa E M	116		13.40	7.40
6	Ready's Echo	Velazquez J R	116			3.50

Times in 5ths: :23 :46¹ 1:10² 1:35¹ 1:47⁴

Times in 100ths: :23.08 :46.31 1:10.47 1:35.26 1:47.87

Also ran: Golden Spikes, Cosmic, Spark Candle, Tomcito, Deputyville and Fast Talking

Winning Trainer: Fujisawa Kazuo - Owner: Yamamoto, Hidetoshi

$2 Exacta (1-3) Paid $66.50

$2 Trifecta (1-3-6) Paid $225.50

$2 Pick 3 (7-3-1) 3 Correct Paid $99.00 Pick 3 Pool $57,874

$2 Grand Slam (2/7/8-3/7/10-1/3/4-1) Paid $69.50

Los Angeles H. (G3)

Next Post 6:06 Off: 5:35 | 6 Furlongs | 3 Year Olds And Up | Stakes | Purse: $110,500

#	Horse	Jockey	Weight	Win	Place	Show
3	Street Boss	Flores D R	116	4.80	3.40	2.80
6	Sailors Sunset	Court J K	115		9.40	7.40
1	High Standards	Rosario J	114			9.40

Times in 5ths: :21³ :43⁴ :55² 1:07²

Times in 100ths: :21.74 :43.80 :55.41 1:07.55

Also ran: El Manuel (CHI), Bonfante, Barber, Peace Chant, Doppio and Bilo

Winning Trainer: Headley Bruce - Owner: Bluegate Corp., Headley and Naify

$1 Exacta (3-6) Paid $32.00

$2 Quinella (3-6) Paid $44.20

$1 Trifecta (3-6-1) Paid $415.70

$1 Superfecta (3-6-1-7) Paid $2,325.40

$2 Daily Double (9-3) Paid $16.20 Daily Double Pool $41,488

$1 Pick 3 (6-6/9-3) 3 Correct Paid $17.60 Pick 3 Pool $81,599

Bold Ruler H. (G3)

Next Post 5:17 Off: 4:44 | 6 Furlongs | 3 Year Olds And Up | Stakes | Purse: $109,100

#	Horse	Jockey	Weight	Win	Place	Show
3	Lucky Island (ARG)	Garcia Alan	115	9.20	6.00	4.60
1	Man of Danger	Velazquez J R	115		8.20	5.50
4	Forefathers	Desormeaux K J	116			4.00

Times in 5ths: :21⁴ :45 :56³ 1:09

Times in 100ths: :21.95 :45.06 :56.79 1:09.14

Also ran: Council Member, Callmetony, Executive Fleet and Gold and Roses

Winning Trainer: McLaughlin Kiaran P - Owner: Shadwell Stable

$2 Exacta (3-1) Paid $71.50

$2 Trifecta (3-1-4) Paid $287.00

$2 Pick 3 (7-7-3) 3 Correct Paid $149.00 Pick 3 Pool $92,565

Lone Star Derby (G3)

Next Post 6:54 Off: 6:24 | 1 1/16 Miles | 3 Year Olds | Stakes | Purse: $400,000

#	Horse	Jockey	Weight	Win	Place	Show
2	El Gato Malo	Bejarano R	122	5.40	3.80	2.80
9	Leonides	Migliore R	122		8.20	5.60
1A	Samba Rooster	Gomez G K	122			2.80

Times in 5ths: :22⁴ :46¹ 1:10¹ 1:36¹ 1:43

Times in 100ths: :22.98 :46.27 1:10.20 1:36.32 1:43.04

Also ran: Limestone Edge, My Pal Charlie, Texas Wildcatter, Golden Yank, King's Silver Son, Ide Like a Double, Real Appeal, Fort Apache, Poni Colada and Isabull

Winning Trainer: Dollase Craig - Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds

$2 Exacta (2-9) Paid $69.00

$2 Trifecta (2-9-1) Paid $168.40

$2 Superfecta (2-9-1-10) Paid $1,166.00

$2 Pick 3 (1/5/6-1-2) 3 Correct Paid $37.60 Pick 3 Pool $10,891

Rajasthan to Run on Black-Eyed Susan’s Day

Mon, 12 May 2008 13:13 GMT

Our very own Rajasthan is entered to run on Friday at Pimlico Race Course in Race 13, right after the running of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. He will be facing a full field of 14 and will break from post position 5. We are looking for an improved effort out of Rajasthan who had his [...]

That Scamp

Mon, 12 May 2008 13:00 GMT

- Trainer Rick Dutrow's transformation from crass cheat to lovable rogue with tragic backstory continues. Having a Kentucky Derby winner sure classes up a stable. - The one horse Dutrow claimed to respect in the Preakness is out. Harlem Rocker will pass the second leg of the Triple Crown to prep for the Queen's Plate, a more logical spot for the sprinter son of Macho Uno. "He wants to play it conservative for now," said trainer Todd Pletcher of owner Frank Stronach's decision (DRF). Recapturetheglory, who came down with fever over the weekend, is also out, which means Big Brown...

1989: The Last Time a Jockey Made the Cover of SI

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:33 GMT

I am digging around in the SI Vault today. I was wondering when was the last time a jockey made the cover of SI. It's been a while, almost twenty years since Julie Krone was featured.

There have been ten covers with jockey profiles, Hartack and Cauthen made the cover twice.

Deputed Testamony and the future of Maryland racing

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:08 GMT

Six days away from the Preakness, which means that Maryland racing will put on its best clothes and don its party hats for the week.

We'll put aside the disastrous Laurel winter meet — featuring declining handle and New York shippers coming in to take about half of the open stakes races.

And we'll ignore, for the time being, the existential issue looming in the background: the slots referendum scheduled for November ‘08.

For this week, at least, Maryland is the center of the racing world. And Pimlico, for all its faults, knows how to put on a great show for the middle jewel.

Come Monday, however, the racing world's attention will shift to the Belmont, and reality will return. Maryland racing will confront what Jimmy Carter might have termed a malaise problem. Faced with day-t0-day uncertainties, it's often hard for folks to envision a different future for Maryland racing; watching another empty winner's circle after another shipper has come in to snag another stakes, it's hard to be optimistic.

But, as we look forward to the Preakness, and the uncertain landscape that stretches out afterwards, it's fair to wonder: Where have Maryland racing and breeding been, and where can they go in the future?

The answer, as it happens, is readily available in this month's Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine. And it is named Deputed Testamony.

Maryland's Class of 1980 — who became three year-olds 25 years ago — was an astonishingly good group that may well have been one of the best generations of horses to come from any state outside the Bluegrass. Consider that Maryland's three year-olds of ‘83 included:

* Preakness (and Haskell) winner Deputed Testamony, the most recent of eight Maryland-bred middle-jewel winners;

* Belmont winner Caveat;

* Shareef Dancer, who won that year's G1 Irish Derby;

* Heartlight No. One, the Eclipse Award winner as top sophomore filly after winning the Ruffian Handicap, Hollywood Oaks, and Del Mar Oaks ; and

* Grade 2 winner Dixieland Band, who became a sire of no small repute.

For a small state, not a bad haul.

Racing and breeding are numbers games. For one thing, the horses follow the money, and the money is no longer in Maryland. Faced with declining purses, reduced racing days, and enhanced breeders' funds out-of-state, Maryland's breeding industry is gradually drying up. Maryland's foal crop declined nearly 30 percent from 1995 to 2004, to 832, a shade over two percent of the national crop.

There's even more telling evidence in the anecdotal. Bonita Farm — the farm the Boniface family bought in part with the earnings of Deputed Testamony — now includes 2,500 merlot grapevines, 1500 Christmas trees-to-be, and 25 acres to make hay. Family patriarch Bill Boniface, who trained Deputed Testamony, put it simply: “If you can't get enough horse business, you have to do something else.”

Fewer horses mean fewer chances to produce a Deputed Testamony, a Caveat, a classic winner.

On the other hand, Maryland has traditions of success and racing families dating back generations. It has the infrastructure to reassume its place as a top breeding and racing venue. But it's numbers that matter; bigger purses and bigger breeders' awards lead to more and better in-state breeding stock, which in turn leads to better state-bred horses and better in-state racing.

Right now, the numbers stack up against Maryland. The numbers, however, can change. Maryland's racing and breeding industry are buffeted in part by forces outside their control Slots-fueled purses (and breeders' awards) in Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey ratchet up the pressure on Maryland. Adding slots to Maryland racing gives it the chance to compete on a level playing field with its neighbors. It gives it the chance to thrive once again.

These days, Deputed Testamony, at 28, is retired from a successful stud career. He spends his lazy days home at Bonita Farm, his circle nearly complete. For Maryland racing, the oldest living Preakness winner is a living symbol of past greatness. The question is whether he also holds the promise of a glorious future — or represents one of the last-great flowerings of a now-dying breed.

Time, as always, will tell.

Bee Bee Bee: The Invisible Preakness Winner

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:09 GMT

If you haven't visited the Sports Illustrated Vault (thanks so Jessica at Railbird for making me aware of it) and you are a student of horse racing history, you are really missing something.

Here's one of the very few articles I could find on the upset winner of the 1972 Preakness Bee Bee Bee . Bee Bee Bee was the terror of Timonium, he once won a race there by 17 lengths but that meant little before he went up against Riva Ridge, Key To The Mint and No Le Hace in the Preakness with the legendary Eldon Nelson aboard.

Worse than finding an article about this relatively recent Preakness, for the life of me I have never been able to find a picture of Bee Bee Bee anywhere on line, an obscurity he does not deserve as any racing fan, long in the tooth, like me knows.

You Gotta Have Friends

Mon, 12 May 2008 09:26 GMT

- Bobby Frankel told the NY Post, of Big Brown:

"I think he's an excellent horse. He might be a great horse. (But) the best thing he has going for him are his 'friends,' the horses he's running with. Taking nothing away from him, he's making them look bad."

However, Frankel thinks that Dutrow's colt would have done fine against the big three from last year - Street Sense, Curlin, and Hard Spun. "He'd match up with them, and he would probably beat them." Hmmm.... I presume he's talking about the 3 yo version of Curlin as opposed to the present one. But still, hmmmm.....

- The call to skip the Preakness with Harlem Rocker came from Frank Stronach.

"I thought the horse worked extremely well," Pletcher said [on Sunday]. "His work this morning was very, very good. I'm going to recommend to the Stronachs that he runs. Obviously it's their decision." [NY Daily News]

And kudos to Frank for doing the right thing....in this case. Why would you run a colt who hasn't gone beyond a mile, and hasn't been around two turns, against Big Brown in the Preakness? Didn't make sense to me, and I'm a bit surprised that the Toddster would be in favor. Guess he's really desperate for a Triple Crown winner who's not a filly.

Harlem Rocker ruled out of Preakness, Field Taking Final Shape

Mon, 12 May 2008 09:13 GMT

Patrick at Handride, who owns a fractional share of Harlem Rocker, noted this morning that the colt is skipping the Preakness and Todd Pletcher and Frank Stronach will instead focus the Canadian Bred son of Macho Uno on the Queen's Plate at Woodbine.

This is obviously great news for trainer Rick Dutrow, as Big Brown's path to greatness just got a little easier. The Kentucky Derby winner jogged over a muddy Churchill track yesterday and is expected to ship to Pimlico on Thursday.

Another Preakness contender Tres Borrachos jogged at Churchill yesterday with blinkers on for the first time. Trainer and part-owner Beau Greely said the colt may work with the new equipment on Tuesday before deciding if the horse will keep them on for the Preakness.

“In his races, horses would come up to him and he’d back up a little and then come again,” Greely said from Churchill Downs on Sunday. “I want to see what (exercise rider Andy Durnin) thinks about them, but it looks like he was relaxed galloping today. He may have them on when he works Tuesday and then we’ll make a decision."

Stevin, Racecar Rhapsody and Macho Again are also training at Churchill in advance of Saturday's Preakness.

The field is shaping up to include the following 12 horse:

Preakness Probables
Behindatthebar (Pletcher, 1st Lexigton Stakes)
Big Brown (Dutrow, 1st Kentucky Derby)
Giant Moon (Schosberg, 4th Wood Memorial)
Hey Byrn (Plesa, 1st Holy Bull)
Icabad Crane (Motion, 1st Tesio)
Kentucky Bear (Baker, 3rd Blue Grass)
Macho Again (Stewart, 1st Derby Trial)
Racecar Rhapsody (McPeek, 4th Lexington Stakes)
Riley Tucker (Mott, 3rd Lexington Stakes)
Stevil (Zito, 4th Blue Grass Stakes)
Tres Borrachos (Greely, 3rd Arkansas Derby)
Yankee Bravo (Gallagher, 4th Santa Anita Derby)

Out
Recapturetheglory (with a fever)
Harlem Rocker (for the Queen's plate)

Presque Isle Downs Does $196k In Handle On Sunday; Purses Totaled $178k

Mon, 12 May 2008 09:07 GMT

Presque Isle Downs fired off a letter on Friday which told ADW's like Premier Turf Club that starting Sunday, they could no longer have their signal, because of the ongoing dispute between horsemen and owners. Horsemen want a larger share of the takeout earned through ADWs.

The horsemen group have not thought this one out very well. The result will be that more bettors will stop following the tracks that are holding out, and many will open up offshore betting accounts, and may in fact stay there after the dust clears. Currently, Betfair doesn't accept US residents, but I expect that to change very soon. In the meantime, there are some offshore houses that still welcome US residents.

The result of the PID signal holdout: $196,000 in total handle on Sunday. Presque Isle gave out $178,000 in purses. Imagine, without slots, Presque Isle would need to charge a 90% takeout to break even, and that is without operating expenses.

Betting was low in a lot venues. Fort Erie only did $471k while giving out $93k in purses, Woodbine, with an eleven race classy card full of big fields only did $2.6 million while distributing over $600k in purses, and Mountaineer, with a muddy track, did only $1.4 million in handle, giving out $135k in purses.

Even with bettors all across North America getting shut out of tracks they would normally bet on, Woodbine, who has their signal just about everywhere except Premier Turf Club, isn't breaking any records. Big bettors are avoiding Woodbine and their ridiculously high track takeouts, regardless of availability.

Pull The Pocket Sums Up The Mentality Of The Racing Industry

We go on strike for more race dates at places where no one watches us race.

In 2007 we made it a felony to bet a race over the Internet from Arizona.

We have home market areas that are 10 hour drives from a racetrack.

We expect customers to open seven different betting accounts to play our sport.

We get a report from a respected University telling us that an ideal takeout rate to maximize our revenue is 7%, but charge 20%.

We charge people for racing data and past performances. Like McDonald's charging $2 to look at their menu.

We can't decide if racetrack is one word or two.

We think rebated players stick their rebates in a sock.

We settle a positive test that happened in 2006, in 2008, and expect no one to notice.

When anyone mentions the thought of the sport hiring a commissioner it is met with unbridled laughter.

We watch some trainers regularly drop 4 seconds off a horse in a week and expect the public to believe it is the shoeing.

We pay for a gambling expert to give us guidance, he writes a 100 page detailed report, and we ignore all his recommendations.

We see that advance deposit wagering is the only growth segment in racing and immediately try and take more of the revenue; which would result in destroying the only growth segment in racing.

We retire our sports stars at the age of 3 so they can have sex, and expect the sport's fan base to grow.

We think that lowering a price will result in less revenue.

We give slap on the wrist penalties to rule breakers, then wonder why good people don't want to invest in racing.

We do little to help retired racehorses, then get mad at the public when they don't want to support horseracing after they see a news report on a former Kentucky Derby winner being slaughtered.

We have rules that say you can't kick a horse or whip him where the sun don't shine, but we never enforce them.

We call our customers "disgruntled gamblers".

And with all of the above, after the business goes downhill, we go cap in hand to government looking for money, blaming it on offshore competition, or lotteries.

Windsor horsemen finally grow a brain, and drop Tuesdays in May. Less than a month ago they decided to go with a purse cut as opposed to a reduction in dates. Fort Erie should drop Sundays in May....if they were smart, and then race on Wednesdays in June, July, August, and September.

Fort Erie Gets A $2 Million Government Grant To Spark The Big Project That Will Never Be.

'A $2-million provincial grant has been earmarked to "help spark" a $300-million redevelopment of the Fort Erie Race Track, The Review has learned.

Jim Thibert, manager of the Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism Corporation, confirmed Friday, his agency has made an offer to El-Ad (Canada) and its subsidiary Nordic Gaming, to assist in paying some of the costs that will be incurred during preliminary planning for the redevelopment of the 111-year-old border oval using money the agency was granted last month by Ontario's Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

"Our goal is to help get it done," Thibert said. "Right now, we have made a proposal to El-Ad to help facilitate this (development) proposal.

"We're doing the best we can to say this is how we share the risks." said Thibert.

Claude Pilato, chairman of the EDTC's board of director's was quick to point out the money isn't a bail out for the track, which opened last weekend despite ongoing financial woes.

Nor does the money guarantee the 111th season won't be its last, Pilato said.'

MORE
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So the government is basically covering Nordic Gaming's planning costs. Nordic meanwhile, hasn't put in a dime by the looks of it. Yet they expect everyone to believe they are going to invest $300 million in a project that makes absolutely no economic or common sense.

I have a feeling a few people will end up getting their wallets fatter at the expense of the Ontario tax payer (expect lots of contracts that involve nepotism)....and that is about it.

My Sentiments On Breeding Echoed By A Couple Of Insiders

Industry may examine recent breeding practices

In no area is the finger-pointing greater than the debate over whether America's breeders have produced an increasingly fragile animal while making speed and brilliance the objective in a mating at the expense of soundness and durability.

Doug Byars, a leading expert in internal and critical equine care, is among those who say there is too much emphasis on breeding a horse that will attract top dollar at sales -- with fashionable speed-oriented bloodlines -- rather than one who has the best parentage for longevity at the racetrack. "We've got to look at breeding to sell, not breeding to race," he said.

Many breeders counter that they must produce what the market wants to stay in business. Also, horses such as last year's Derby winner Street Sense and runner-up Hard Spun become so valuable as stallions that the economic pressure is to retire them after the 3-year-old campaign. If they don't race at 4 and 5, no one knows if they're likely to produce progeny resilient enough to withstand several years of racing.

While Casner says the breeding is unfairly becoming the whipping boy, he agrees standards are too lax for horses getting into the production chain.

"I really don't think it's as much the speed factor as . . . what does everybody do with a filly who can't run? Breed them," he said. "What do they do with a filly that can't make it to the races because of soundness? Breed them. . . . Horses in an earlier time had to earn their way into the breeding shed Fillies certainly had to be good racehorses and had to be durable."

One industry project involves compiling statistics designed to measure the durability of stallions' offspring.

Harlem Rocker to skip Preakness. Aims for Queen's Plate instead.

Tucci Stables had three winner with three different trainers yesterday. I thought that an owner could only have two trainers at one track in Ontario. I know Nick Gonzalez is stabled at both Fort Erie and Woodbine, but My List seems to be stabled at Woodbine.

Calder Slashes Purses on 8 Stake Races

No Preakness for the Rocker

Mon, 12 May 2008 08:53 GMT

Famous International Playboys

Mon, 12 May 2008 08:44 GMT

After a lackluster performance in the Peter Pan, I'm not sure what to make of Tomcito at this point; I hope he's not following in the Declan's Moon path of 2-year-old domination, then regular bullet works, but no wins come the afternoon (although at least Declan's Moon had a long injury layoff for an excuse). Perhaps he's just waiting for the Belmont distance, or perhaps he simply doesn't like racing in this hemisphere. I'll still be keeping an eye on him as a longshot on Belmont day – just in case.

I could not be anything other than impressed with Casino Drive's performance – sure, he was a little green, but he seemed to know exactly what he needed to do to win. And as Dana noted, there's another reason to like him – he's entirely drug-free. I'm still not thrilled that he's had only two starts, but if he can do it without a little chemical lift, more power to him. The Belmont was more fun back when New York didn't allow Lasix.

The Peter Pan certainly makes the question of who is currently world's best 3-year-old a more interesting one. There was a lively discussion comparing Big Brown and Australia's Weekend Hussler recently – it seems they will now have to add Casino Drive into the mix.

Some of the more salient Weekend Hussler vs. Big Brown comments included the following:

"We havent [sic] seen many as good after just 11 starts"

"Off [sic] course Weekend Hussler is the best 3yo, 9 wins from 11 starts and 6 Group 1 Wins, what more does he have to prove"

"I agree Weekend Hussler probably moves under Big Brown in the world rankings, but the horses he beat in the Kentucky Derby were definitely second rate. Not exactly donkeys, but definitely second rate."

I can't argue with most of those points - and I can't help but chuckle ruefully at the notion of a top horse having 'just' 11 starts in the US.

The Australian press have been addressing this issue again of late, after the release of the most recent world thoroughbred rankings; I'm not entirely sure how they are figuring that Weekend Hussler 'remains the world's highest ranked 3-year-old' as he was given a 122 to Big Brown's 126, but there you are. In any case, the rankings are not much of a direct comparison - Weekend Hussler's best distance is a mile on turf and he is a 4-year-old by North American reckoning - but he certainly has an impressive record. He is the first Australian horse in 30 years to win six Group 1 races in a single season - and hey, those six wins are still twice as many starts as Big Brown had only a few weeks ago.

Curlin remains top of the overall rankings, unsurprisingly, and the international press have taken notice of his nomination to the Arc - other notable nominees mentioned already are top fillies Darjina, Finsceal Beo and Peeping Fawn; Henrythenavigator could 'represent' for the 3-year-olds. Should the big names so far nominated line up in October, that will be a great race; I'd certainly pass on the Breeders' Cup for a crack at glory at Longchamps.

Adventures In Breeding (People From the Rail You're Looking for the post 2 doors down - Big Brown Bonds)

Mon, 12 May 2008 06:43 GMT

MIDDLE

Mon, 12 May 2008 06:19 GMT

THE TUCCI LIST - IS THIS A RECORD? Carlo and Lou Tucci (Pictured above with trainer Sid Attard, far left, on either side of Sovereign Award) won THREE RACES Sunday at Woodbine with THREE DIFFERENT TRAINERS and JOCKEYS. Certainly it would be hard to find out if this is a record but the guess would be that such a feat is unprecedented. The day kicked off for the family with CIANO NIGHTS in

Where are We Headed?

Mon, 12 May 2008 04:20 GMT

Now let me see if I got this straight.

The supposed Triple Crown winner will be making his fifth start in the Belmont Stakes.
(That is, if his hooves hold up and his connections don't sell him outright before then.)

And the horse who looks like the biggest danger in the "Test of Champions" will be making only his third career start.

At the rate this game is going I am expecting to see a press release from some racing partnership that contains the quote:

"After watching (Insert name here)'s work at last year's Keeneland April sale, we decided to point him immediately for the Derby, where we expect to break his maiden."

Charlie and Woody must be spinning in their graves.

DMM

Lord Langfuhr: March 2000 – May 2008

Mon, 12 May 2008 03:25 GMT

Photo credit Adam Coglianese I’ve referred often to my visit to my night-time visit to the Middleburg Training Center last summer, and the acquaintance I was fortunate to make of a woman connected to the training center and the horses who live there. Some of them are babies in training; some are horses resting after a season’s racing; some are recovering after an injury. Both Allen and Jimmy

Carbon-Fibre Hoof Supports Put Event Horse Back on Course

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:13 GMT

Vetcell’s Carbon Fibre Hoof Support Patches (HSP), have helped a flat-footed event horse in Great Britain, the company tell us. The HSP is a simple and affordable way to support and treat collapsed heels in competitive horses.

The patch was developed and patented by Peter Day DipWCF, farrier at the Royal Veterinary College in England and the RVC’s locomotor research group, two years ago.

According to Vetcell, Millie Tonks, competitor and British Eventing accredited trainer, was concerned when her seven-year-old thoroughbred x warmblood event mare became short-striding and uncomfortable when the ground became firmer during the early part of last year’s eventing season. The mare had previously suffered with collapsed heels and an intermittent lameness but radiographs had not revealed any specific problems.

Millie recalls: ”The mare was going really well at the beginning of the 2007 season and was being consistently placed. But when the ground started to get a little firm she became less extravagant with her jumping and was clearly not comfortable although she wasn’t actually lame.”

Millie’s vet, Susannah Reynoldson at Isle Valley Equine Clinic in Somerset continues: “The horse has typical flat Thoroughbred feet and had very little horn growth. She was tender in both feet and not truly comfortable in her stride. I had recently read about the HSP and thought it was worth a try. The results have been impressive.”

The HSP is a carbon fibre/resin composite sheet which is applied by the farrier to the hoof wall, using epoxy-type adhesive. Tests show that it increases the bending strength of the hoof wall by up to 40 percent, allowing the tubules within the heel to retain their strength, rather than collapsing, as the hoof grows, according to Vetcell. The goal is to prevent over-deformation of the compromised foot and thereby helps to maintain soundness.

Collapsed or under-run heels are one of the most important and common foot abnormalities faced by owners and trainers. The prevalence is so high in Thoroughbreds (reportedly affecting the majority of the breed in Britain) that it can lull individuals into thinking that the condition is a normal hoof variation rather than a serious pathological deviation.

The collapse of the heel is believed to contribute to many foot-related problems such as navicular syndrome, chronic heel pain (bruising), coffin joint synovitis, quarter cracks, heel cracks, and gait interference problems.

Despite its prevalence the condition often goes unaddressed until the horse actually becomes lame.

For further information please contact VetCell by email: info@vetcell.com.

Note: No, I don't know why the horse is nailed in the toe and yes, I agree, that this foot could use carbon-fibre support for its entire circumference. Barefoot advocates will say that this horse could be helped with a layup and rehab hoofcare, and that is true, but the owner was obviously determined to compete the horse. I have questions about selective reinforcement of specific points on the circumference of a weakened foot.

The Continuing Saga of the Bob Baffert Mission

Sun, 11 May 2008 20:58 GMT

Part II: The Buglar Diversion

mission (noun) errand; commission; an assignment one is sent to carry out with unwavering zeal the morning after imbibing too many vodka martinis.

The mission at the Lone Star Derby was to have my picture taken with Bob Baffert. It was noted that he was in North Texas to race Samba Rooster in the Lone Star Derby (Gr. III) and to eat a couple of Whataburgers.

As the afternoon progressed and I enjoyed a second frozen margarita, I began to think that the Bob Baffert Mission, as I began to refer to it, was becoming somewhat silly. Surely, one could conclude that this strange “obsession”, all for the purpose of contributing to a "humor" blog, could be interpreted as the beginnings of some kind of Weirdo-Paparazzi-Groupie Syndrome. Besides, what’s so interesting, much less funny, about having my picture taken with the renowned trainer, Bob Baffert?

As I sipped my frozen margarita, I noticed Curlin’s prominent trainer / area resident, Steve Asmussen, ambling through the railfolk, making his way to his usual observation post at the top of the stretch, prior to the start of the 7th race.

I was struck by a sudden thought: Wouldn’t it be funny if I asked Steve Asmussen to take my picture with Bob Baffert? Oh no, wait, … even funnier … Steve Asmussen taking my picture with Bob Baffert as he’s holding a Steve Asmussen bobblehead??

I laughed so hard, I let out a loud snort, startling an older gentleman who just happened to be standing next to me.

We looked at each other with surprise. Then I heard him mutter something about, “women” and “liquor” and "handicapping expertise of a stale loaf of bread" as he marched off to a nearby pari-mutuel clerk. I could not determine if, per chance, the phrases were relative.

Realistically, the Bob Baffert Mission was downright absurd. I shook my head in disgust, trying to squash the objective and concentrate on something more important: the Pick-5, a new wager offered by Lone Star Park with only a 12% take-out for all of you multi-race bettors reading this tripe.

As I sifted through my racing program, I caught sight of a woman. There was something very recognizable about her. Perhaps it was her blonde hair. Maybe it was her red coat. Or, it might have been the black top hat she wore. But most likely, it was that rather unusually elongated trumpet she was holding. And, given the fact, she was standing in the Winner’s Circle prior to the Call to Post.

I trembled with excitement. I know her, I know her, I know her, I thought. That’s Whatshername! Umm … Barbie … Bobbie … Billie … Beverly … Bootie …B …B… B..B..B.BBBBBBBBBBBBB …

“Hey, Bonny!” I called, hopefully.

The attractive bugler turned to me with a gracious smile. (Whew). “What brings you to Texas?” I inquired.

Bonny Brown, the famed woman bugler of Arlington Park, gave me a girlish chuckle, “I moved here. My husband got a job here*.”

*(Author’s note: Unsure as to whether “here” means “Lone Star Park” or “Texas” or “Any other place on the planet that is neither Chicago nor Canberra”).

“Welcome to Texas. I hope you like it.”

“Well, I certainly love this wonderful weather! It’s so pleasant and warm. Not like Chicago this time of year.”

Heh, heh, I thought. Just wait until August.

I snapped her photo. If I was unable to take a photo of Bob Baffert this day, then surely Bonny Brown would suffice; sort of like being Miss Congeniality.

But post time for the Lone Star Derby was rapidly approaching. And was I really going to give up the Bob Baffert Mission?

Casino Drive 101

Sun, 11 May 2008 20:15 GMT

- He acted up in the paddock and ran greenly in the stretch, but there's no quibbling with the raw talent Casino Drive displayed winning the Peter Pan, for which the 3-year-old colt was given a Beyer speed figure of 101. "He was good, but he was not top form," said racing manager Nobutaka Tada after the race. "There's so much [room] for him to improve" (DRF). This spring is really shaping up as the season of young horses accomplishing the improbable ... and like commenter John S., I'm not sure how much I enjoy or understand this sort of...

A Sure Thing

Sun, 11 May 2008 19:49 GMT

For awhile there I thought I had really nailed the 10th at Belmont—Viva La View and Wonderifiamspecial led the way…until they hit the stretch that is. Viva La View hung on gamely for second, beaten a long neck by Granted Tiger, while Wonderifiamspecial tired badly to finish last. Might have been the yielding turf that wore her out, or maybe she’s not a grass horse. Regardless, I’m stubborn…I’ll

Council Member

Sun, 11 May 2008 18:21 GMT

The last offspring of Seattle Slew in training has returned to New York. After nil success in California on the synthetic track he is back in New York with John Hertler. While John Hertler is a capable trainer who is well respected, there is someone else who might be a better fit as the trainer of Council Member. Wouldn't it be nice if William Turner and the Taylors could bury the hatchet and Turner trained the last son of the triple crown winner that he trained? One of these days Council Member is going to catch a massive speed duel up front and run them all down.

Belmont Notes

Sun, 11 May 2008 18:00 GMT

- Made it to Belmont for a few races on Saturday, and I lost; that for the guy who said I don't write about when I lose. In the fifth, Unbridled's Heart, a $1 million 3yo son of Unbridled's Song making his debut for Darley, was 4-1 morning line. He was dead on the board as can be at 13.90 to 1. Yet he went straight to the lead and stayed there throughout, drawing away willingly and ridden out to the end to win by ten. I lost, and I swear, you could run that race 1,000 times, and I would never have that winner. Just goes to show you that there's no such thing as 'never,' because I would generally say that those horses never win. No less by ten.

Unbridled's Heart is out of a stakes winning mare by the late Farma Way (paddock accident) who's a half-sister to the graded turf winner Man From Wicklow. The dam won on the grass too, so perhaps we'll see him on turf at some point.

I actually had Thatsrightofficer, the winner of the sixth, singled in some midday doubles. Wasn't going to let this Schosberg winner get by, and the barn is now 8-3-2-1 at Belmont thus far. However, I tried to beat the 7th race favorite, Boxitup, in the 7th, and I lost.

I didn't lose the G2 Bold Ruler, because I didn't bet. Alan Garcia had himself a handful on the turn with Lucky Island, and seemed ready to pounce on pace setting Man of Danger. Garcia may have thought he'd have an easy time, but had to shake up his mount to get past a stubborn foe. But he sprinted away at the end, closing in a solid 12.35 to give Kiaran McLaughlin his ninth graded stakes winner of the year. This is an Argentine bred, by Lucky Roberto (Belong to Me), who is now three-for-three since adding Lasix after his first US Start.

I tried to beat Casino Drive in the Peter Pan, so I obviously lost. I was at least right about how the race would be bet, but that was about it. I knew I was in trouble when I saw this colt in the paddock. Sure, he was bucking and kicking at first, and one might have thought he'd leave the race there. But once Kent D. got aboard, he was all business, and he looked fantastic. Not a strong edition of the Peter Pan, but that doesn't really detract much from what this colt accompished in his second lifetime start. He got the last three furlongs in a solid 37.04; final eighth in 12.61; those according to Formulator.

I'm pretty sure that no horse has ever won the Belmont off of two lifetime starts; but what the hell do these rules mean anymore? Say Big Brown does what we (mostly) expect him to do on Saturday; would you really think Casino Drive is ready to take him on? We might assume he'll get the distance because his siblings have; but I personally don't feel as if Big Brown has any breeding limitations as to how far he can go. Sure will make it interesting anyway....if Big Brown wins on Saturday, that is.

Surgery Survivor Horse Dies Competing on Cross-Country Course at New Jersey Event

Sun, 11 May 2008 17:23 GMT

Tigger Too, owned by USEF President David O'Connor, died after a fall at the water jump on the cross-country course at the Jersey Fresh CCI*** at the New Jersey Horse Park yesterday. Tigger Too was ridden by Lauren Kieffer, according to the US Eventing Association. Kieffer was not injured. USEA also reports that preliminary necropsy findings on Tigger Too, a seventeen-year-old gelding, showed