Derby Stuff

[T Severini]

Here\'s a video from Elliot Walden of Winstar Farm discussing an issue with Justify.

Note he states pretty quickly the horse has had issues with \"Cracked Hooves\".  During this account, his voice about falls off to inaudible, but with multiple plays  and increased volume you may hear him allude to \"scratches\".

So...have we found the reason he was \"Late\" to the races?  Is it still an ongoing issue?  Some believed scratches is a condition similar to mold or rash, but is that what it really is for Justify, because if his hoof is indeed suffering cracks are the scratch\'s rash related or infection/seepage related?

Any vets here that can articulate why such a condition wouldn\'t be \"Thrush\" as opposed to scratches?

We are all ears:

Scratches / Thrush?  \"Off and On\"?

[T Severini]

Anyone know of history where a Triple Crown Race winner has prevailed on a 3/4 shoe?  Can\'t come up with any records on that, only experience being with, on track, program changes. Tgraph may have that info, though never saw it in their Sheets, will review that next. Certainly would be nice to view his previous race shoeing.

Justify has reportedly put in two \"normal\" (That was the term used by the assistant) gallops since returning to the track.

Attached below is a photo of Justify\'s rear legs post re-shoeing. The \"horsey\" among us probably know the standard for the fore pasterns is 45 degrees. The standard for the rear pasterns being 50 to 55 degrees. What would you make that rear pastern angle here?

Look at the striation in the rear hooves themselves. Anyone think the left rear has more vertical striation than the right rear? What do you think? (Certain this time this horse is Justify)

Not seeing a whole lot of shock absorbing ability for a horse weighing near 1300 pounds. Looks like bang, bang, bang, bang. That\'ll cause a hoof to crack. In fact wouldn\'t more vertical striations in the hoof keratin encourage hoof splintering with an upright pastern?

Its the second photo down, you\'ll have to click on it, link to the complete photo and scroll down.

Justify Standing