Frank Stronach spoke very eloquently in the Winners Circle trophy presentation. He said:
\"Its very sad when a notable horse breaks down, but that is Horseracing\".
Truer words were never spoken. However, the injuries are part of the fabric of the game. I had a premonition the instant Barbaro broke through the gate, before actually, I just wish I could have got another bet down after he pushed it open. Ran to the computer and tried but the service wouldn\'t accept it. I watched the race from the monitor and wasn\'t aware of his injury but by that time I was sure his race was already over.
Tgraph was once very adamant about big efforts causing off results including injuries. That statistical trend held up well in this Preakness. Barbaro unfortunately joins a list of 31 horses who couldn\'t pull off a big race after a large Top in the last. The only reasons I can see for that freak injury was the prior race and/or busting through the gate. Some said he wasn\'t warming up comfortably. I don\'t know, had no view of him during the warm up.
I \"learned\" painfully in the last race that Regression is a part of big efforts. Sinister Minister got out of that race a little better than Barbaro though.
Thats horseracing.
Please delete this post.....Couldn\'t find how to delete.
No, that is not horseracing.
We (fans, handicappers, owners, trainer, etc.) say \"That\'s horseracing\" to come to quick terms with inexplicable or completely undesired results of a race.
I have never heard the phrase used in conjunction with a career-ending, life threatening injury to any horse, let alone to a horse with the talent and popularity of Barbaro. A catostrophic injury in plain view of millions of viewers no less.
But, Stronach is bad for the sport, and I shouldn\'t be surprised. What\'s your excuse?
Hey, lets face it....this incident did not have to happen. All they had to do was check out Barbaro after he broke through the gate...in complete disregard to the horse\'s welfare, they didn\'t. This type of treatment to these noble animals can not be justified. I, as a long time horse player, am ashamed.
Asfufh
So, they check out the horse and then what?
The vet makes the decision to scratch Barbaro? I hate to say it, but you almost can\'t scratch him even if you think there\'s something wrong.
Imagine this hypothetical scenario.
Vet scratches Barbaro and denies his opportunity to win the TC. It comes out a day or two later after interviewing the trainer, \"i don\'t know why they scratched him, there was nothing wrong with him\"
Guess where that vet ends up plying his trade the next day?
Siberia.
Disagree. If someone kept a stat on winning percentage of horses who broke through the gate, it would be something in the neighborhood of 0.01%
Automatic scratch, no matter the race
You know its funny...watching people take delight in the misfortune of others. I was taught never to do that, and to watch others do it is sickening. CTC, you post more on this board than anyone else, yet your points seem to be inevitably malicious and self-serving. To see that horse break down was absolutely heartbreaking, no matter where your money was. And if you are one of those poor souls who roots for a horse to \"break a leg\" when it is front of yours in the stretch...well pal, you really need to examine your own self worth. If the money you wagered means THAT much to you, then you shouldn\'t be betting. And if you actually took delight in seeing that animal in distress, friend you are very very sick. I purchased Jerry\'s sheets for both BES and Preakness day, enjoyed the challenge of handicapping both cards, made my wagers, and enjoyed both days completely... Until approximately 6:20 pm today...yes I had Barbaro played in my pick 4\'s, yes I also used Albertrani\'s horse, however I pulled my two kids out of their rooms and had them watch this race in hopes that perhaps, perhaps we might see something great.
I read the facts on the big forward move, I know Barbaro was underlayed, but you still hope to see something great, something that makes you believe in the majesty of this sport. When all of that blows up in front of you, the last thing you need to hear is a cynical frustrated dirty shirt saying I told you so because he cashed a ticket.
Enjoy your TV dinner tonight pal...you earned it.
BTW, I have only posted one time on this board in the 6 years I have been a customer, and that was in regard to last years Derby. You, friend, are exactly the kind of person who should stick to playing the lottery and returning beer cans for a living. I suppose you watch the replays of Go For Wand and Landseer breaking down before you go to bed at night just to soothe yourself.
Mr. Brown, I apologize for my malicious bend on this posting, but I couldn\'t help myself...
See, i actually agree with that, automatic scratch...then, the vet won\'t be held responsible.
but, there is no automatic scratches in racing.....so, the vet would have to put his entire career on the line if he scratched barbaro or some other horse going for the TC.
if you read my post a few threads below this, i mention this in my #2 point.
Well put
Between the pukehead racing manager for Godolphin and Frank Stronach, the other pukehead, the sport got its worst possible black eye on TV today.
This fellow Chuckles rounds out a perfect trinity in this regard.
As for the injury I find it hard to believe this horse was training with a condylar issue without showing it. It\'s usually pretty apparent and I guess it can be covered up with pain killers, so those of us outsiders would never know it was there in the first place. If that was the case, it doesn\'t say much for the trainer. He could have gotten the horse through the problem with six months off.
There wouldn\'t have been a Triple Crown, but Barbaro would have been around for a couple of seasons.
Don\'t apologize. Brown apparently sees some merit to the
rants or he perhaps delights in subjecting others to CTC\'s
garbage rather than deleting his pathetic drivel.
Sometimes bad stuff just happens. Nothing to do with drugs, or breeding, or training or racing practices. One unfortunate bad step. One small crack. Another step at racing speed with 1000+ pounds on the unstable leg and small damage now is a shattered mess no matter how fast the jock pulls the horse up, no matter how athletic the horse to gallop on three legs as much as he can (and I couldn\'t believe Barbaro could gallop even one stride and stay up holding that leg out, let alone with 126 lbs on his back)
I suppose one could do nuclear scintigraphy on all four legs prior to every race.
imallin - You might be right , but honestly Racing has to have some standards . I think Jerry had it right on - it was a bad day for racing . Not only did we loose our super star Super horse Barbaro - racings equivolent of Michael Jordon but racing also lost much of it\'s fan base .
With all the media attention Barbaro and Triple Crown has been recieving recently it was no wonder his odds were pushed down to 50 cents on the dollar . This is almost remenicent of when the dotcom bubble burst , in this regard - As the Triple Crown is currently structured , Barbaro and Racing didn\'t really have a genuine bonifide oppertunity to suceed today .
imallin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> See, i actually agree with that, automatic
> scratch...then, the vet won\'t be held
> responsible.
>
> but, there is no automatic scratches in
> racing.....so, the vet would have to put his
> entire career on the line if he scratched barbaro
> or some other horse going for the TC.
>
> if you read my post a few threads below this, i
> mention this in my #2 point.
>
>
Not to mention the huge amount of money that would have to be refunded on a gate scratch 1-2 shot. That starter was under orders to let the horse run. It\'s always about the dollars and it sucks.
my thoughts exactly. shame on ctc!
I\'m not sure what the betting pools were, but i\'m sure someone who has some time on their hands can figure out a pretty good guesstimate on how much money Maryland \'saved\' but letting Barbaro run.
When you are running a company and MILLIONS of dollars in profits are at stake, the world can be a very cruel place.
i think s peak for alot of fols when i say you can be a real ass.
john
After having some time to think about yesterday here are my comments. I was at the Preakness for the 31 straight year. Sitting in 2nd row 60 yards from the finish line 2nd deck box with my binocular\'s glued on Barbero. Why in this world today can\'t it be just a bad step which can happen at any time or place. No searching to blame the starting gate crew,the track,the vet,the trainer,the grounds supt.but the incredible low of a fantastic sport.Everyone should look around yourself today and realize how fortunate you are and take advantage with optimism of the day.I agree with Jerry because of the accelleration ofthe overall final times, or lowering of the \"numbers\' a serious thought of spacing should be considered.I\'m flying back to St. Louis this am, print the TG\'S,go to the simo parlor saddened for Barbero and all his connections,but looking forward to today and \"The Belmont\".Excuse my typing and spelling I\'m not adept at changes on the computer. Fifty one years a avid fan,bettor,handicaper in that order. Thanks for you time!
After having some time to think about yesterday here are my comments. I was at the Preakness for the 31 straight year. Sitting in 2nd row 60 yards from the finish line 2nd deck box with my binocular\'s glued on Barbero. Why in this world today can\'t it be just a bad step which can happen at any time or place. No searching to blame the starting gate crew,the track,the vet,the trainer,the grounds supt.but the incredible low of a fantastic sport.Everyone should look around yourself today and realize how fortunate you are and take advantage with optimism of the day.I agree with Jerry because of the accelleration ofthe overall final times, or lowering of the \"numbers\' a serious thought of spacing should be considered.I\'m flying back to St. Louis this am, print the TG\'S,go to the simo parlor saddened for Barbero and all his connections,but looking forward to today and \"The Belmont\"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/
Here\'s a link to a video of Barbaro\'s start. Scroll down to SPORTS and click on \"Video: Barbaro injured Shortly After Start\". You need to sit thru an short car commercial and the footage of the start begins after the video of Barbaro waiting for the Equine emergency vehicle. From this view, it looks like Barbaro broke ok and starting showing affects of the injury about 20-30 strides out of the gate.
Asfufh