A lifelong lover of animals, I have devoted my life to animals who need help the most, those in shelters. I also am a life long passionate fan of horse racing.
Lancaster, PA
Joined November 2013
- Tweets21K
- Following664
- Followers2K
- Likes3.4K
Yeah...I know what you're thinking...you're thinking...
"Did he do all 6 throws...or just 5....?"
Well...to be honest...in all of this surgery excitement I've lost track myself...
But...considering you have a pyometra...a deadly infection where your life could be lost from a ligature sliding clean off...
You've gotta ask yourself one question...
"Do I feel lucky??"
Well...DO YA.... – at Binghamton, NY
The real question to ask here, I think, would be to ask owners and trainers who were considering entering horses if they decided not too strictly because of the issues mentioned below. I know a few trainers (Chad Brown was one, if I remember right, as he knew one of his horses traveled different and would be flagged) did withdraw citing that as a factor.
It did seem the extra measures may have saved Magnitude from suffering a possibly severe injury in the Classic. – at Binghamton, NY
I’ve spoken to trainers and owners preparing for this week’s @BreedersCup, and the overwhelming theme is FRUSTRATION.
Between excessive veterinary scrutiny, PET scans and scratches, what should be one of the most exciting weeks in racing has become stressful, frustrating and downright unenjoyable.
I’m 100% for Thoroughbred safety, but I’m also 100% FOR THOROUGHBRED RACING!!!!!
At some point, enough is enough.
I’m not a veterinarian or trainer, but I listen to those who have spent 20-30 years caring for horses. One concern I keep hearing is whether restrictions on therapeutic medications and treatments are actually doing more harm than good.
Could a horse with a manageable condition end up compensating and injuring something else because appropriate treatment was restricted???
ARE WE PROTECTING HORSES OR PROTECTING REGULATIONS???
Are some medication withdrawal periods unnecessarily long??? Could shortening certain periods allow better treatment without compromising safety???
And LASIX continues to make ZERO sense to me. We allow it in claiming and allowance races but prohibit it for two-year-olds and stakes horses???
Does Lasix suddenly become dangerous because the purse is bigger???
If it’s harmful, ban it everywhere.
If it’s beneficial, why not allow it consistently???
OUR GOAL SHOULD BE HEALTHIER HORSES, NOT SIMPLY FEWER MEDICATIONS!!!!!
And of course, let’s not forget the @jockeyclub. They helped draft the legislation behind HISA, and somehow the same familiar faces keep appearing throughout The Jockey Club, Keeneland and Breeders’ Cup leadership. Everett Dobson chairs The Jockey Club, is a Keeneland trustee and a Breeders’ Cup member. Bill Lear helped draft the legislation and is also a Keeneland trustee. DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS. SAME INNER CIRCLE. Amazing how much influence a small group of clowns can have over an entire industry, yet somehow accountability always seems harder to find.
HISA spends approximately $80 million annually. We should demand safer racing, fewer fatalities and catching cheaters.
But shouldn’t we also question whether some of these regulations are making things WORSE???
We’re already dealing with a declining foal crop, shrinking fields, frustrated horseplayers and owners wondering why they’re spending millions to participate in a sport that’s becoming less enjoyable every year. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE DO WE NEED TO DRIVE AWAY BEFORE SOMEONE REALIZES WE HAVE A PROBLEM???
WE MUST PROTECT OUR HORSES, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO PROTECT AND GROW THE FUTURE OF THOROUGHBRED RACING. THOSE TWO OBJECTIVES SHOULD NEVER BE IN CONFLICT!!!!!
Am I missing something here, or has common sense become the latest scratch???
What do you guys think???
Don't like the conditions for race...dont enter...
Don't like the conditions of a race...Don't bet it... – at Binghamton, NY
WHAT THE F$&K ARE WE DOING???
Apparently horse racing isn’t complicated enough!!!!!
@hisa_us voted UNANIMOUSLY to continue allowing Lasix for horses 3 and older in non-stakes races. Their own scientific review found no evidence supporting the claim that Lasix is a performance-enhancing drug.
But the @BreedersCup decides that at their event, even ALLOWANCE horses can’t use Lasix???
So a horse can use Lasix in an allowance race on a normal racing day @Keeneland, but NOT during Breeders’ Cup weekend???
We have the top trainers, owners, and best horsemen in the game, and close to 20% of the horses entered will end up scratched by the time this weekend is over!!!!!
Put these same horses ion a Wednesday card at Aqueduct, and I bet 95% of them are running!!!!!
So apparently, horses that are healthy enough to run during the week aren’t good enough to run on Breeders’ Cup weekend???
TOTAL BULLSHIT!!!!!
The @jockeyclub, Breeders’ Cup, and HISA don’t give a shit about trainers, horseman, jockeys, horseplayers, fans, etc.
Same old insiders making the same old bullshit decisions!!!!!
With these organizations, it seems like OPTICS, POLITICS AND BULLSHIT COME FIRST.
HORSES SECOND.
HORSEMEN LAST!!!!!
CAN SOMEBODY EXPLAIN WHAT THE F$&K THE BREEDERS’ CUP IS DOING???
Some thoughts from a racing fan's perspective after attending the Breeders Cup this past weekend. Todays post will focus on the Breakfast at the Breeders' Cup program. Tomorrows will be about the event itself.
The Breakfast at the Breeders' Cup is truly a great thing for fans, and similar to the breakfast programs for the Kentucky Derby and at Saratoga. Every racetrack should try to create something like them. It is a very opening environment that allows fans to get up close with the horses even more, learn a little about the sport, and take the time to explore parts of the track and stands they would not otherwise be able to during afternoon racing.
A few specific ideas to consider going forward with the BC Breakfast Program (Some of these things may already be in place and I just missed them...so if that is the case please let me know).
1. Have a few places at the track with a screen that shows the expected times major horses people want to see are expected to be on the track and/or in the paddock to be seen. Also have this in the app. I realize plans change, but having that readily available for fans to see will help a lot.
2. When said horses are on the track, have a "trakus" like chip in their saddle towel and one screen on the infield dedicated to pointing out where on the track they are. It will make it a lot easier for fans (and even some media/photographers) to know when they are coming through the stretch or are at other points on the track to see. Ideally this would be great for every entered or pre-entered horse on the grounds, but I do realize the mess of a matrix board that might create. There might be a way to do it on the app, though, were you can punch in the horses number and see where they are at the time. Anyone who has been there for the Breakfast Program knows it can be a little crazy trying to keep track of so many horses that are trotting or galloping by while also looking for specific ones.
3. It would be really cool if in addition to the saddle towel numbers each horse has, that a QR type code be on the towel as well, so fans could take a picture of that horse and then be taken to an Equibase or Breeders' Cup profile page that tells them all about the horse and the connections. Modern day folks want instant access to things and to not have to click through 3 or 4 areas to get info.
4. I know the Breakfast at the Breeders' Cup program is being broadcast throughout the track as the horses are there for their morning exercise, but the drawback of it is they can only cover so much in a morning, and some video or commentary on horses is based on video from earlier in the morning or just completed work (not live at the time). I have no idea if this is even feasible because of whatever media contract obligations exist, but having something similar to what Saratoga has in the morning of a person in the stands pointing out what horses are on the track at the time might be better for fans. It also can create a more interactive experience for fans in attendance involving giveaways and trivia and the like.
4. Finally, kudos to Keeneland for having some nice breakfast offerings that are not outrageously priced for people (A theme that continued in some locations for the event itself). Being able to get a breakfast burrito and a coffee for $10 instead of like $40 is refreshing to see. Hopefully Belmont will follow suit in 2027.
Those are my thoughts on the Breakfast program. If anyone else has some I would love to hear them.
@BreedersCup @keenelandracing @TheNYRA @BelmontPark1905
And a great blue wave swept across the nation...overtaking areas always thought to be impervious to and protected from such waves... – at Monroe, PA
Say what you want about their theories, their politics, their methods, or their message...
Say what you want about their theories, their politics, their methods, or their message...
I have nothing but respect for vaginal polyps for this reason...
They don't try to run and hide...they don't shy from their truth...and they don't try to place blame on others...
Most of all...they don't shy from their fate. No asking to be face down...no asking for a face covering...just facing their punishment with eyes wide open....welcoming the blade with no shame...
Bravo brave girl....Bravo.... – at North Towanda, PA
OK Horse Racing Twitter Folks.....Poll time. I have heard this talked about a bit, and how many consider Forever Young best horse on dirt in the last 5 years (or maybe 10). Sovereignty beat him in Classic in only meeting. So...who is best??
Give reasons in comments if you desire...
#1 at my polling location baby!!! Which, of course, means two things...
1. I was the guinea pig that new poll workers got to learn all the registration steps on with their fancy new stuff...
2. For the first time in 48 and 1/3 years of life...I heard a woman utter to me, "Bryan...you're number 1!!".
(Not even my mom would say that to me...despite being the first born. "Maybe top 10??...yeah probably top 10" is best I could get.
"But mom...you only had three kids..."
"See...this...this is why you are top 10 at best...")
Anyway....GET OUT AND VOTE!!!! – at Towanda, PA
Doubt we will ever see a time where the US would again see the likes of a "Race that stopped a Nation"....or a horse that made it possible...
Maybe what we need IS another Seabiscuit in these troubled times... – at North Merrick, NY
(Looks around concerningly)
"Hey...uhh...Jimmy...we...uhh...we left the horse tied up here to go in and sign that sheet right?"
"Yep...why??"
"Well...ummm...." – at Lynnview, KY
I forgot to also say an incredibly HUGE kudos to the volunteers and staff that somehow kept the mass of humanity that was lining up for the shuttle busses back to various areas after the BC orderly and moving as fast as possible. That is NOT an easy job!! I hope they got a few free drinks afterwards.
I also noticed a "subtle" difference between how it all worked there vs how it would have likely worked with a New York crowd after a major race day. New Yorkers are great...but I do have the feeling that most would not be as patient or accommodating to waiting their turn as they were lined up and counted to ensure no extras ended up on the bus.
In the dark times of Belmont Stakes past...it was everyone for themselves...and if you could find a place to stand or sit on a bus...inside or out...you felt it was fine and just told the driver to go.
Oh...and if there was any jostling for position or jumping ahead in line...I guarantee you would hear...
"HEY....GET BACK...I'LL CUT YA!!"
Yes...those were the good times... – at Lynnview, KY
"Hey there...it's Kevin, right?? Welcome to the broadcast team...
Quick question for you...are you afraid of heights, Kevin??
No...good...good....
Now...do you have any overactive bladder issues?? Oh...yes?? Hmm...well...here is a package of Depends...and...umm...good luck.." – at Donerail, KY
I mean...I guess racings core fan base right now would fit into the older classic rock category... – at Donerail, KY
A HUGE Congrats and Kudos to the entire Breeders' Cup Veterinary Team for carrying out what must have been an exhausting 1-2 weeks of work to ensure there were no issues or injuries during the entire Breeders' Cup card. I can't even imagine the stress they were under for it all and yet still pulled it all off flawlessly. I am sure some will not be happy with scratches they made, but all horses are back in the barn safe and sound. That is what matters most in this game!!!
Very moving video courtesy of NYRA. While not there in person...they were all there in spirit to cheer him home and celebrate... – at Donerail, KY
The paddock...post parade....build up...race...and fitting culmination to an amazing two days of racing...no other superlatives needed...or in the words of the incomparable Tom Durkin..."No need to call it..."
#thisishorseracing – at Donerail, KY
Forever Young bothered by something in paddock before classic. Seems a little better now... – at Donerail, KY