I just read a comment posted in DRF to Watchmakers post Preakness column regarding Pletchers ( over) use of draw reins. I confess, before the Derby I had no freaking idea what a draw rein was. The writer basically accused Pletcher of incompetence. ( I am not a Pletcher hater or lover). So, I googled draw reins. Apparently, they are only to be used for short periods of time for difficult to control horses and will have an adverse impact on a horses performance if not used properly. Not one of the TV geniuses anywhere- including the estimable Mr. Bailey- said a word yesterday. Feel free to confirm on your own.
rezlegal,
That comment you read isn\'t fair to TAP.
Draw reins are sometimes the only way to keep a horse from galloping too strong or even running off in the morning. Some horses accept them, some dont\'t.
With draw reins the horse is pulling against itself and the
rider instead of just the rider.
I doubt if who made the comment knows how tough some,not all,runners can be to ride and keep at the desired speed.
Shake hands with a jockey or exercise rider some time and you\'ll get an idea.
BH
BH- I have no expertise in this area and an agnostic about Pletcher. Every article I googled explained how draw rein forces a horses head into a different position and stressed it\'s use was to be limited for a short period. The writer of the comment appeared to be quite knowledgeable ( and perhaps a sore loser). I just find it remarkable that not one of the talking heads, on TV or in print yesterday or today said anything.
Like him or hate him, incompetence is not a word that fits TAP.
I saw the gallop before the Preakness, and yes, the horses head drops sharply and the neck bows. Doesn\'t look particularly comfortable, but I can see where a horse would be discouraged from traveling too fast.
I thought they were just used for training?
I\'m far from an expert, but this is not Pletcher\'s first rodeo. Part of his success with Lawyer Ron was attributed to the use of draw reins:
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2009/07/20/lawyer-ron-beyond-a-reasonable-doubt.aspx
Also, I don\'t think the use of draw reins is that uncommon. In the lead-up to either the Oaks or the Black-Eyed Susan, Zoe Cadman of XBTV mentioned that one of the fillies was difficult to gallop, necessitating the use of draw reins. When Always Dreaming was switched to draw reins, one of the reasons given for switching exercise riders was that Nick Bush was experienced with draw reins.
I\'ve also read and talked with people much more knowledgeable on draw reins than I am, and the concerns they expressed dealt with the possibility of using muscles a horse isn\'t used to using. This can cause stress on those muscles and effect the horse in a negative way. is that why AD didn\'t show up? We will likely never know, but Todd said after he was concerned 1st time under the wire, didn\'t think he dragged Johnny into the race like in FLA and KY. If you watch it back you\'ll see what he means. It\'s Chad Browns world were all just living in it.
RICH Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I thought they were just used for training?
Pletcher before the Preakness (Boston Herald) --
“He’s doing super â€" strong but controlled,†said Pletcher, whose morning-line favorite was not equipped with draw reins in the Derby, and won’t wear them Saturday.
Yes, only for training. Unless you want to run last, I don\'t think they would be a good idea in a race.
There you go again: Giving trainers in Louisiana another idea.
Have to give this comment an LOL.
Not to mention Chicago, by the way.
Up until Saturday, Chad Brown was 15-0-2-0, in Grade I races on the dirt for 3 year olds. So basically, he was starting to mimic Plethcher.
BitPlayer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I\'m far from an expert, but this is not Pletcher\'s
> first rodeo. Part of his success with Lawyer Ron
> was attributed to the use of draw reins:
>
> http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-
> haskin/archive/2009/07/20/lawyer-ron-beyond-a-reas
> onable-doubt.aspx
--------------------
Fast forward once again, this time to July 28, 2007 at Saratoga. Lawyer Ron had won the Oaklawn Handicap, but subsequently could only manage a third in the Met Mile and a second in the Salvator Mile. Now, it was the morning of the Whitney.
At 8:30, blacksmith Ray Amato was putting the final nails in Lawyer Ron\'s new shoes. The colt stood calmly, barely moving a muscle, as Amato\'s assistant, Joe Estrada, stroked his head and planted an occasional kiss on his muzzle. But Amato felt something that escaped the naked eye.
\"Joe, can you bring his head around, he\'s layin\' on me pretty good,\" Amato said to Estrada, as he felt the strength of Lawyer Ron pushing against him. \"Come on, Ron, stand up here now. After a few minutes, Amato was unable to continue. \"Joe, I\'m gonna have to let him go; he\'s really layin\' on me.\"
That seemingly insignificant scene took on a good deal more meaning later that afternoon when Lawyer Ron laid over his 10 opponents, who also felt the colt\'s strength as he powered his way to a 4 3/4-length victory in track-record time.
One of the reasons Lawyer Ron was more cooperative that year than the year before, learning how to rate kindly, was the addition of draw reins for his morning gallops. In the Whitney, a more professional Lawyer Ron sat behind the pace after breaking from the 10-post, and when John Velazquez asked him, he exploded and busted the race wide open. A month later, he romped by 8 1/4 lengths in the Woodward Stakes. Stretching out to 1 1/4 miles, which was not his best distance, he doggedly turned back the challenge of Curlin.
--------------------
>
Not sure if it was the draw reins or not, but I remember that Whitney day vividly. I was standing in the paddock not more than 3 feet from Pletcher as Velasquez hopped aboard Lawyer Ron just as they were about to enter the track. Don\'t know what the two said to each other, but as the typically stoic-faced Pletcher turned to leave the paddock, his eyes were practically bursting out of his sockets and he had this kind of maniacal look on his face that sent chills down my spine. Never seen anything like it before or since.
LR exploded down the stretch that day and trounced the Whitney competition, running a negative 6 and breaking a track record in the process.
I\'m sure the backyard crew at the spa has heard me tell that story on more than once occasion..
\"Pletcher turned to leave the paddock, his eyes were practically bursting out of his sockets and he had this kind of maniacal look on his face that sent chills down my spine.\"
Only one possible explanation: He had just had his very first drink from the Big Red Spring.
More importantly, was it his last?