Blinkers Off

Studies, Committees, Recommendations....Whatever happened to DOING?!

2008-05-08T20:29:00.002-05:00

I must admit, I am worn out trying to keep up with all the knee jerk (emphasis on jerk) responses to Eight Belles breakdown. PETA, the 24 hour news cycle pundits, the feeding frenzy on the web, and now the Jockey Club proposal...
The attention and highlighting of legitimate safety concerns this tragedy has produced should be a call to action. But, alas, in our modern society, action is met with studies, endless meetings, recommendations that sound great but rarely see the funding or the stewardship to see them through to actual honest to god implementation. What ever happened to getting things done? Isn't it brutally obvious that Polytrack would help. Isn't it something that should be mandated at all Triple Crown tracks (as a starter) in a very definitive time period? What about stricter drug testing? What about limits on the use of the whip? Easy and obvious, expensive perhaps, requiring the will to enforce, certainly but all doable, not really debatable steps that really don't require endless meetings.

Finger pointing is the easy thing to do, but if you love horses, it's the wrong thing to do

2008-05-06T20:15:00.008-05:00

Larry Jones has been put on trial and in many circles has been convicted. The boneheads at PETA, who through their misinformation and attempt to capitalize on the tragedy of Eight Belles breakdown were first on the bandwagon and on a local radio talk show on Monday, actually condemned all of Thoroughbred Racing as something that should be abolished and deemed all participants as cruel and greedy. Quite a departure from reality and one reason why their organization is the butt of late night tv jokesters and is marginalized and characterized as extremism. Now, accusations are flying at Jones saying the filly, at over 17 hands, could only have gotten so big through the use of steroids, a charge he has flatly denied. It is too bad there is not a more reasoned discussion going on that might actually benefit the sport, make it safer for the animals and where some good might emerge from this situation. What about mandating polytrack? What about testing for steroids? Why isn't there some reasoned discourse going on? Well, the answer is there has been some of this going on. Go over to this site http://www.grayson-jockeyclub.org/summitDisplay.asp and you can learn what the industry is doing to help reduce these catastrophic breakdowns. Nevertheless, accidents happen. On the field of competition in what is a somewhat a dangerous sport, as are many sports, there can be fatal consequences. And make no mistake, Thoroughbred Racing is a business and like in any business, there are unscrupulous people. But it is wrong to condemn and mislabel an entire sport over a single high profile accident. Why are so many so quick to point the finger of blame than to pitch in and support solutions and proposals that work to preserve and grow this great sport? There once was a great President of the United States, when asked about his brash plan to land a man on the moon and safely return them to earth, answered we do this not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept....so the challenge is how do we make this great sport, even greater by making sure it is as safe as possible and that it is a fair and level playing field. Stop pointing fingers and tossing out accusations, be part of the solution.

I'm Baaaack

2008-05-06T20:00:00.002-05:00

Okay, I have been gone almost a year. Out of the blogoshphere and barely keeping up with the ponies. But with Spring and the Keeneland meet and the excitement of the Triple Crown, well, I can't help but toss my hat back in the ring. I am going to compose myself a little before entering the fray of the Derby but enter it I will because here in the BlueGrass, the gauntlet has been thrown down and the game we all love is being convicted of some unbelievable atrocities by people who are so uninformed as to be laughable. But in this 24hr news cycle they get press and stories these days don't even have to have a shred of truth to get "reported". So, get ready to anyone who may still check this blog and even if no one does, I get to vent, rant, promote and gush about one of the greatest sports on earth, and surely one of the most magnificent animals ever to grace us with their power and beauty, thoroughbreds!

Blinkers Off...signing off

2007-05-14T21:36:00.000-05:00

Not that many still check my dormant blog but although my interest in Thoroughbred racing remains strong, the demands of a busy life have left me no time to post meaningful content or rambling observations or even comment on my latest losing wager. It is a busy time just making it through my daughter's 2 soccer teams, horse lessons, my newfound running "hobby" (completed the Derby Festival Half Marathon and going full speed ahead with training and running in the Columbus Marathon this fall) and my son has finalized his college selection and will be a graduating high school in two short weeks. So, while I do miss posting (and really) miss most is reading the other blogs regularly, I feel it would be a disservice to the TBA to continue with my blog. I will most likely leave the content up, if nothing more than for fond memories and maybe a return to posting someday. But for now I am signing off and riding into the sunset of my foray into the blogosphere. If you stumble upon this blog, please check the TBA for some really great content, insighful posts and a great group of passionate Throughbred racing enthusiasts.

Coldest Spring I ever spent....

2007-04-07T14:52:00.000-05:00

Was without a doubt freezing at Keeneland yesterday. The best thing about the day was the absolutely choclaty goodness that the Nestle Hot Cocoa machine was dispensing. The seats were cold, the snow at one point was sideways and crazy, and my brain too frozen to handicap so I shut down and let my daughter and her horse-crazy friend pick and they won 4 of 10 but I mistakenly cost them their biggest payout by entering the wrong horse.....wow! So, we felt lucky to hit the exits down about $32 and with no discernable frostbite. I refused to take any pictures yesterday as I kept my gloved hands in my pockets. At one point I begged the girls to leave after the 9th but they insisted they were tough and sat there for the 10th! At one point between the 9th and 10th it was blowing and snowing and I retreated to a glassed and heated enclosure just up the steps from the Grand Stand seats they were in and looked left and right and not another soul was still in those seats! The announced attendance was almost 17,000 but you had to really look for them even with crowds inside, I think many people, like my son and his friends bailed out after 3 races (which is about the time I could not longer shrug off the cold and started running back and forth between a heated sanctuary and our frozen tundra seating.) The funniest thing I heard all day was when I suggested we trek down to the rail for the 10th amid the heaviest snow of the day and someone shouted "I've got Rudolph across the board in this one". Anyway, we will be back late in the meet and I may slip out for some late races during the week but I just wanted to post the fact that there are two hardcore Thoroughbred fans among the younger generation as my daughter and her friend can attest. They were all smiles and happy as they could be the entire race card! I guess Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and he lives at Keeneland.

Kristmas in Kentucky

2007-04-06T06:41:00.000-05:00

That's right, Keeneland (ooh new web design too!) opens today and yours truly makes his annual opening day pilgrimage to the mecca of horse racing. It has gone from 80 degrees this past Monday to a crisp 28 degrees this morning. Not great for race fans but the horses are sure to love it!
And the Spring Meet looks to have once again drawn the top jockeys and trainers right outta the gate on opening day.
A couple of interesting races shaping up and one with some Derby implications is the Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes is Sedgefield who ran a good second in the Lane's End to Hard Spun, is hoping the $93,000 win here will help propel him to the Derby. With Bejarano up, he is an 8/5 early morning favorite here.
And Funny Cide cruises back to Kentucky in an Allowance Race in the 8th.
Overall, the fields look large, the payouts should be good and here's to healthy, fun but chilly day at the track!
(Handicapping note: I will only share that info if I win! But past performances by me in this area indicate you are not missing anything).

Whose your Daddy?

2007-03-04T15:50:00.000-05:00

What a horse race! You have to check out the replay over at the NTRA site. Scat Daddy really made a strong closing move on the outside but what a great run by the top 4. The thing that really struck me is that they all seemed to have plenty of gas in the tank at the wire despite a strong pace set by Stormello. Very exciting finish!

March-ing into some great racing

2007-02-28T19:29:00.000-05:00

March is so fun-filled for me. My wedding anniversary, my daughter's birthday, St. Patrick's Day (same day as my birthday), Spring begins, Spring break (remember those college days anyone), March Madness for us college hoops fans and the real start on the road to the Triple Crown all happen in this in like a lion, out like a lamb whirlwind month. This week-end promises some exciting action on both coasts:
Gulfstream Park's Fountain of Youth Stakes Division: Classic Grade: II Purse: $350,000 Distance: 9 Furlongs Age: 3-Year-Olds Saturday, March 3, 2007 @ 4:00 PM EST
Derby Favorites: Nobiz like Shobiz; Stormello
Horse to watch: Adore the Gold
Questions: Can Nobiz handle two turns? Is Stormello capable of going the distance?
My picks: Adore the Gold in a closing drive to outrun Nobiz and punch his ticket to the Derby. I love this guys story and that of his connections. Not very scientific analysis but enough for my small stakes wagering!

Santa Anita Handicap Division: Classic Grade: I Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 10 Furlongs Age: 4-Year-Olds & Up Track: Santa Anita Saturday, March 3, 2007 @ 7:30 PM EST
I love watching the older horses that are still out there running so I love this race this year.
Anyway, how the heck could I root for any other horse but Lava Man in this one. Sure he'll big the big favorite so this won't be a great betting race but this is a horse that is fun to watch run.

Blinkers Off Road to the Roses Stable....ho hum predictable

2007-02-15T20:42:00.000-05:00

Okay, no big surprises here and probably a guaranteed finish somewhere outta the top 10 but at least a list of some of the ponies that will be on my Derby Watch but unless you have some Nostradamus-like talent, mid-February selection of a Derby field is really anybody's guess at this point.!
My Horses

Adore The Gold

Birdbirdistheword

Great Hunter

Nobiz Like Shobiz

Noble Court

Notional

Ravel

Scat Daddy

Stormello

Street Sense

My Jockeys

Corey Nakatani

Fernando Jara

My Trainers

Nick Zito

Todd Pletcher

Louisville Courier Journal Derby Data Track

2007-02-14T19:42:00.000-05:00

Here is another fun tool to help you "crunch some data" and put some research into your derby futures and fantasy selections. The CJ Derby Data Track site for 2007 is up and can be found at the Louisville Courier Journal 2007 Derby Track site.

2007 Road to the Roses....It's On

2007-02-13T21:38:00.000-05:00

The chase for the 2007 Triple Crown is going to be heating up as February turns to March and as sure a sign of spring as the Buzzards returning to Hinckley Ohio,
today marks the official start of The Road To The Roses Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge
I must admit I always play but I have never really managed to do all that well with my "virtual stable". However I enjoy "owning" my killer stable of 3yr olds. The site actually has a pretty nice listing of the early season races leading up to the Derby complete with the TV coverage so that is very handy as well. So, the question that comes to mind is "who do ya like?"

Great ride by Fernando Jara...great run by Invasor

2007-02-03T20:33:00.000-05:00

If you missed the Donn, it was a really nice ride and an unbelievable rally from an impossible spot for Invasor. Looks like he is off to a nice older horse campaign. Hope he keeps running like that!
Great video replay over at the NTRA site.

Invasor and the Colts kick off the month

2007-02-03T09:49:00.000-05:00

On this extremely wintry week-end in Kentucky I am left with hunkering down in the warm house and catching Invasor winning the Donn and the Colts winning the Super Bowl....
2007....the unofficial year of the horse....?

Everyone get your wagers down and have fun and stay warm!

And so it goes....

2007-01-29T19:30:00.000-05:00

The sun rises, the sun sets, tides roll in and out and the horse racing world has seen another untimely death. Although this happens all too often in the world of the Thoroughbred, it happens too often in the human world as well. A lot of people have really taken to this story and it may have even sparked additional interest in these amazing animals. With so much tragedy in the human world, it should be kept in perspective. Barbaro lived a charmed life, albeit short, knowing care and success that 3/4 of the human population of this planet will never know. I hope that equine veterinary science was advanced by what they learned but in the end the injury was just too much to overcome in an animal whose breeding, genetics and reason to exist centered around being able to run. Quality of life issues may face us all at some point and it is an extremely important and personal question to which there is no "right answer". I have some faith that Barbaro now gallops rolling fields of grain on a plain filled with fillies!

Do I hear $100,001......going once....sold to the TBA!

2007-01-25T21:49:00.000-05:00

Step right up and bid on a KY Derby Trophy over at eBay! I stumbled across this over at the Bloodhorse and as curiousity would have it (and you know it killed the cat.....read on), I just had to go over to eBay and see for myself. Anyway, the article says it is a replica cast from the original from 1970 Dust Commander win. The seller is doing it to raise $$$ for a cat rescue. You need to read the article or else you might think I was making this up. Ah, truth remains much stranger than fiction.

Okay, now if we all pool our winnings and various ad revenues, this would look great in the TBA virtual Trophy Case.......

Sir, have you been drinking?

2007-01-22T19:40:00.000-05:00

After the incredibly sad story about the vet giving horses pre-race vodka cocktails (literally and via injection), I was surprised to read a bit about the testing, or lack of testing for the presence of alcohol in race horses. Of course, being a bit naive, I was surprised to learn this is actually not as rare as it may be reported but that the blood test is really $$$$ and they are developing an equine Breathalyzer test. I am all about calm horses and everyone knows a 2yr old TB colt can be a handful but injecting the animal and then sending them out to race seems reckless. I guess if you can stay one step ahead of the testing, there are those in all sports (look at steroids and baseball or cycling), that will try to get away with getting that edge. Now maybe if the horse acquired the taste for a post-race stoli and grapefruit slurped from the feed tub, that might be different....

Don't let it bring you down....

2007-01-15T22:08:00.000-05:00

Why do so many race tracks have the word "downs" in them?
Downs as a noun has a definition which demonstrates the English origin:
Often, downs. (used esp. in southern England) open, rolling, upland country with fairly smooth slopes usually covered with grass.

Churchill Downs: It wasn't until the Louisville Commercial newspaper used the name "Churchill Downs" on a recap of the ninth Derby that the historic track got its namesake.
There's no way possible that John and Henry Churchill could have envisioned that their family name would go down in infamy back in 1874. All they did was unload a piece of land that was part of Kentucky's declining stock farms to Col. M. Lewis Clark. Only a year after this acquisition, Clark's brand-new Louisville Jockey Club served as host to an estimated 10,000 spectators for the first Kentucky Derby on May 17, 1875, when Aristides ran to glory.
Here are some links of other "downs":
ASSINIBOIA DOWNS
BLUE RIBBON DOWNS
COLONIAL DOWNS
DELTA DOWNS
EMERALD DOWNS
EUREKA DOWNS
EVANGELINE DOWNS
GREAT LAKES DOWNS
INDIANA DOWNS
Kentucky Downs
LOUISIANA DOWNS
MANOR DOWNS
MARQUIS DOWNS (PRAIRIELAND PARK)
RIVER DOWNS
RUIDOSO DOWNS
SUFFOLK DOWNS
TAMPA BAY DOWNS
WYOMING DOWNS
YAVAPAI DOWNS

Looking ahead at the Donn Handicap

2007-01-10T19:38:00.000-05:00

Some interesting family history that this race honors. This year it looks like Invasor will be running so I look forward to hearing Kenny Mayne say the name In-va-sor and watching him strut his stuff as an "older" horse. So, as we wait out the doldrums of January, this race on February 3rd should be a fun pre-Super Bowl Saturday. In the meantime, enjoy some Gulfstream Park history about the Donn family.

The Donn family owned Gulfstream until '90, when it changed the first of two times within two years, but Doug Donn Jr. was retained as CEO until his retirement in 2004. Here are some other milestones of the Donn:

1944 James Donn Sr., owner of Exotic Gardens and one of the creditors left unpaid when Gulfstream closed, stepped in to take over the reins and Gulfstream ran a 20-day race meeting with an average attendance of 4,534 and an average handle of $281,902.
1961 James Donn Jr. became president of Gulfstream. The then-largest tote board in the world was erected in the infield.
1978 Doug Donn, following the death of his father, James Donn Jr., was elected Gulfstream Park president.
1991 The Donn Handicap was selected the inaugural race in the American Championship Racing Series.
1995 Cigar was the story at the 63-day meeting, winning the Donn and Gulfstream Park handicaps en route to an undefeated season and Horse of the Year honors.
1996 Cigar continued his winning streak (it would reach 16) with a smashing score in the Donn Handicap, his season debut.

The winners of the Donn Handicap since 2000:
2006 - Brass Hat
2005 - Saint Liam
2004 - Megalia D'Oro
2003 - Harlan's Holiday
2002 - Mongoose
2001 - Captain Steve
2000 - Steven Got Even

Homer meets the Jockey Elves.

2007-01-08T19:59:00.001-05:00

I have resisted long enough. Although my video postings may be a little offbeat, this is priceless!

NTRA "Moment of the Year"

2007-01-03T20:38:00.000-05:00

Vote now (it requires a free membership). I looked high and low for The Tin Man's Arlington Millions walk-away win (you know I have to support the older fella here) but that didn't make the top 10 (what the heck is the matter with those guys over at the NTRA anyway?!).

Being a Kentucky guy, I had to go with Barbaro's impressive Derby win.

Hey you also get entered for a 1 in a million shot at $1,000.....
somebody's gotta win right??

Have fun with it.

Happy Birthday Horses

2007-01-01T08:18:00.000-05:00

You may not know this but all Thoroughbreds celebrate their birthdays on January 1st. Thoroughbreds all have their birthday on the same day. This makes it easier for keeping racing,breeding and showing records.

TBA 2006 is in the books; very nice gesture by a great group dedicated to the sport and beauty of Thoroughbred Racing

2006-12-31T20:40:00.000-05:00

Members of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance (TBA) have announced their donation of $1,060 to Old Friends, a retirement and rescue organization for pensioned Thoroughbreds, in the name of their 2006 Horse of the Year, Bernardini.

Bernardini is one of a select few trying to pin down the 2006 Eclipse award for Horse of the Year. However, the TBA has established an objective point system that could, in future years, yield a different winner from the Eclipse victor. This new value system serves an important purpose.

Unlike similar awards that are given each year based solely on subjective media and industry voting, the TBA's Horse of the Year award is given to the horse with the most points earned in Graded Stakes.

The core of the TBA's mission, the standings reward owners and trainers for running horses in stakes races more often, giving fans more opportunities to become familiar with a horse. Also, the standings make it easier for fans to follow the sport, allowing them to take in the top ranked horses at a glance and giving them access to the same kind of easy-to-understand rankings that other sports fans take for granted.

"The main objective of the award is to bring attention to horse racing as a long-time and storied national past time, not merely a specialized and exclusive sport," Patrick Patten said. "We hope these rankings start that trend. We also hope the larger horse racing community begins to demand such standings and that the industry sees the benefits of wider fan bases through easily identifiable standings." Patten, the proprietor of "Pulling Hair and Betting Horses," developed the standings.

"We feel that if adopted by a group who can back standings with money and/or accreditation the standings will arrive at a true 'Horse of the Year,'" he said. "Furthermore, for our champion, it cannot be said that the award was due to a coastal or geographical bias or based on foreign form."

Old Friends is a charitable organization with a mission to care for retired racehorses. Founded by Michael Blowen in 2002, the Midway, KY, organization cares for 15 pensioned Thoroughbreds, including Ruhlman, an eight-time stakes winner, and Bonnie's Poker, dam of 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm.

Have you heard about the Bird blog?

2006-12-30T21:26:00.000-05:00

Proving that it's never to early to begin eying that first Saturday in May, John (aka Not to the Swift) is providing mane to hoof coverage of a promising young colt, Birdbirdistheword, on the derby trail and has actually created a blog devoted to one derby-bound horse. You should check it out over at the Birdbirdblog.
Very interesting horse with solid connections and, for me the kind of rags to riches story you just gotta love since he was a $32k purchase. I am certain John will give us every angle here so being a bandwagon jumper, I am on this one early and will be counting on John to help me either count this pony in my derby exotics or rule him out!

Dear Santa....

2006-12-13T20:21:00.000-05:00

I have been a reasonably good guy this year and I would like to ask for some Christmas gifts for the beloved sport of Thoroughbred Racing:

1) Imagination for anyone whose job it is to promote the sport of Thoroughbred Racing
2) Healthier horses in 2007, strong bones and fewer missteps (whether that means Boniva or Wonder Bread or new Nike horse shoes)
3) Yours truly to hit some inspired exotic for 4 figures but only at the track and only on a live race I am playing. (I have hit for 3 figures but 4, now that would send me into a frenzied whooping and hollering to the point that I would probably trot onto the track and high five the jockey, slap the owner on the back and kiss the horse on the nose). Not that I would be wildly rich from such a score but I would at least be momentarily brilliant at the track....priceless!
4) TBA Bloggers who really kick some a$$ to get some National recognition and credit for spreading the word, keeping interest alive, not forgetting the past and being damn entertaining while doing it: John, Patrick, Alan, Tracey, Ruben, Sue, Brad And really most everyone else at the TBA as I enjoy their insight, commentary, and have learned much more than I ever would have scanning the mainstream media because these are true fans and students of the game. Sure they bring their point of view but they weave a great patchwork quilt of perspective on the sport. Whether it is a current event or a historical tidbit, you will find it all on the TBA
So Santa, see what you can do with my list and I will be sure to set out some milk and cookies for you.

Pathetic Excuses, but a nice holiday ornament and good intentions for 2007!

2006-12-04T21:48:00.000-05:00

Okay my lack of posts this past month may have surprised no one as my readership has likely dwindled to that. But given the holidays, extremely busy with work and my running, and then combine that with my normal "dormant time of the year for the horse racing side of my brain" and there you go...no blogging. Of course, it looks like I have been missing quite a bit at some of the other blogs and also a very nice redesign of the DRF site. Honestly though, I really won't get back in the horse racing swing until sometime in January as the Derby trail starts heating up in the warmer climates. Anyway, I will do better after the first of the year so if anyone has missed my news, notes, rants, etc....I will be back in force in 2007. In the meantime, gotta get the check in the mail to Patrick and here is possibly the greatest Christmas ornament ever (thanks to my wife for shopping around for this one).