Bob Baffert
Did anyone notice when the Pre-Entries were drawn for the BC he had a grand total of one horse entered. Probable Juvenile favorite Roman Ruler. He has had two primary owners in the last eight months (Satish Sanan and Matress Mac)tell him, \"Your Fired\" and is now a 12%\'er at Santa Anita. This after probably having more horse flesh, in terms of dollars, thrown his way over the last couple of years than any other trainer in the business.
I bring this up after having just read two outstanding pieces on the DRF Site about Todd Pletcher and Dale Romans. Both MEN have two qualities Baffert should be introduced to: Great work ethic and humility. Racing needs stars, the horses themselves, to attract fan interest and generate publicity. However the game also needs personalities who can communicate with the viewing audience and these two hard working and even-keeled individuals should be vaulting to the top of the list.
Romans may be having one those \"dream years\" and could be out-of-site-out-of-mind soon, which would be too bad. Pletcher on the other hand has several of the most deep-pocketed and competitive owners in the world as his employer. He seems to be handling it very well and I\'m sure will loosen up a little as the years go by. When you have about $30-40 Million worth of stock rotating in and out of your barn every year and you are in your mid-thirties, the \"Carrot Top\" routine just will not cut it.
Baffert may win his one race on BC Day and the other two MEN win nothing. However if you were investing in stocks and reviewing recent chart history, who out of the above mentioned would you be investing in your hard earned dollars in.
Post Edited (10-23-04 09:38)
I love the irony of Silver Charm posting about Bob Baffert. Bob being fired by Sanan and MacIngvaile(sp?) is really not a surprise to me. Both owners have been through different trainers for different reasons. They seem to be the types of owners who would want to be involved and probably don\'t take bad news, bad results or excuses well. With the amount of money that they spend I could understand it. Add in that Baffert is laid back late riser type and you could see the clash there. That is probably the work ethic that you refer to. Another thing is Baffert has acheived the things that both Romans and Pletcher desire, The triple crown and breeders cup wins. I\'m sure the fire that Baffert once had is not a strong as it once was.
I think he has to go back to his roots a bit as the times of getting lots and lots of well bred two year olds are over. He will get his share, but not like he did 3 and 4 years ago.
His antics have pissed off way to many people. He treats just about everyone like crap and has lost lots of respect around the track.
He can train, his style is very similiar to Wesly Ward or Steve Asmussan, which is work em fast and often, they will be in great shape, but wont last long.
I would add that Pletcher and Romans started doing much better after they hooked up with a vet named Steve Allday. Same guy Frankel, Dutrow etc. use.
Sometimes it\'s not just about how fast your horses are running, it\'s about how fast the other guy\'s horses are running.
Yes the vet connection between these super trainers is not talked about often, but the real inside people I talk to say its the number one reason they all are successful. I am not at Belmont to say, but I trust the people who are telling me this.
http://www.norfields.com/testimonials.htm
http://www.norfields.com/press_releases/press98-04-30.html
I searched the web for Vet Steve Allday and came up with one item...see press release web address above...note the date is April 1998 (at a Norfields conference) and Allday is cited as a vet for horse of the year and eclipse champs back then.
The testimonial web address includes some famous horse trainers talking about Norfields magnetic horse therapy products.....anybody familiar with Norfields and their effectiveness and how widespread their products are in the racing business? Asfufh
My understanding is that he was originally Paulson\'s vet, then became Byrne\'s vet when he had the two 2yo champs and the 15 straight wins at CD (we broke that string with Connecting Terms, by the way), then went with Byrne to Stronach, then eventually went out on his own. John T Chance, who posts here (not often enough) may be able to add to the story.
Hey that\'s big news, I would like to see who allday vets in the sheets. Allday on/off. I\'m suprised with all the crap going on this wasn\'t mentioned sooner.
It has been mentioned here before (try a search), and believe me, that and a lot of other stuff is being discussed all over the industry. I put forward the idea to someone recently of having a vet listed as the official vet of the horse in the program, which would make him legally accountable to the same degree as the trainer for positives. If they are not accountable there is no point listing their names-- one guy could be listed and another treating the horse.
Hey I think you guys are great, but where is allday mentioned and for what trainers he works for?
Thanks
Well if it is the same so called vet. and he might have something wink wink, why don\'t you think everyone else is using it to keep up?? You either use it or rat or get out of the game. These up and coming trainers who cry\'s about the big boys needs to do one of the three. I can see it now if these trainers that has been brought up don\'t win a race next sat. there will be talk about how they couldnt get their vet. to work the magic or if they do win races we\'ll hear how the vet. got pass everyone......when will it ever end with this.
What\'s the over / under that this guy Runallday gets pulled over for speeding? RICH wrote:
All this vet talk...didn\'t I bring this up just 14 days ago? Would be great to find out who vets for who and having vet stats like we have for trainers. Since most all trainers breeze and workout their barns the same way...the VET is probably, as you know, being in the business, the most important part of the team.
I personally own 7 colts and filies now and the partners and I were just discussing this very topic last week. Who vets for who...it\'s mostly kept a secret unless your always on the backstretch barns like we are. And believe me, the trainers who are not juicing sure would like to know what the others are using! But the business being what it is, there is NO DISCUSSION and NO sharing of info between the vets either for obvious reasons.
At Saratoga, the state police and testing crews walk the barn areas watching the vets like hawks, not here at Belmont and the Big A. Thats one reason some trainers get the magic again after the SAratoga meet is over!
Post Edited (10-24-04 10:40)
Here\'s another \"press release\" that mentions Dr. Steve...from January 2000.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/search/searchdetail.asp?Section=&RecordNo=1511
Being an east coast guy, I am not too familiar with Mike Mitchell but I do like Kela in the sprint. Is he known as a guy he uses a SPECIAL vet and might tank on a big day or does he have a solid rep?
Spook
Mike Mitchell is a \"move up\" trainer. If there was a \"suspect list\" for having special vets, he would be on it.
No doubt about it.