In a nutshell, here are my picks for Saturday night:
Meadowlands
Race 1 - Myluvmylife; Rocklamation; Mystical Diva
Race 2 - Rock 'em; Line Officer; Big Jim
Mohawk
Race 1 - Bunny In The Bank; Pancleefanddarpels; Sweet Hedge
Race 2 - Peach Martini; Eagle Canada; China Pearls
Race 4 - Monkey On My Wheel; Village Janus; Look Cheap; Camille
Race 5 - Anndrovette; Dreamfair Eternal; Western Silk
Race 7 - Lucky Jim; Arch Madness; Define The World
Race 9 - Mach Of Ballykeel; Twin B Legend; Dreamfair Kovu
Race 10 - Tamarind; Mr. Joe Sixpack; Daylon Magician
Race 11 - Major Hottie; Atochia; Keystone Horatio
Notes:
* According to his sources, Arch Madness has recovered completely from last years broken splint bone.
* Could do without the rail post for Big Jim; The 4, 5, or 6 post would have been better I think.
* Lucky Jim likes the outside posts, which puts him in a nice spot for the ML Trot (Just hope the 10 hole isn't TOO far out!)
Good Luck To All!!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
From Foal To Goal
Last week, my friend Pull The Pocket blogged about the importance of longevity in racehorses, and it began to make me think about incorporating different methods of training into their programs. In my neck of the woods, where horses are stabled at the racetrack, most trainers take their horses out for about an hour, jog one way, then the other, put the horse back in the stall, then head off to the local Tim Hortons for some chat. To me, this doesn't seem too productive. A racehorse that stands in the stall for 23 hours a day, receiving no time outside, equates to a losing commodity. And if we're going to be spending copious amounts of cash with regards to their upkeep and maintenance, should we not be investing copious amounts of time in their programs?
Now me, I was raised as a riding gal, mostly English Equitation with a bit of Western Pleasure thrown into the mix, and let me tell you, I get quite a bit of heat from the standardbred guys when I mention the word, "longeing" (lungeing). Usually the eyebrows go up, a snicker or two comes out of their mouths, which is then followed by the comment, "Riding horses and race horses are different!" Yes, that may be true, but their conditioning, especially when they're a youngster, is absolutely identical.
The benefits of, and uses for longeing are so varied that it should be a part of the training and exercise program of all horses.
![]()
Tell me something all you racehorse trainers out there: What are the first injuries that normally occur when racing? If you answered splints and bows (stifles are up there as well), you win a prize. What's the prize? Education. Keep reading.
The benefits of longeing are two-fold:
1. Develops obedience to voice commands and body language.
2. Establishes the foundation for ground driving.
3. Is a progressive step in the horse's education. Makes the transition from in-hand work to training work logical and systematic.
4. Develops added confidence and familiarity between horse and trainer; sets the stage for upcoming learning.
5. Introduces movement principles - balance, rhythm, vertical and lateral flexion, gait extension and collection without interference from a driver.
6. Is helpful for correcting bad habits such as impure gaits, head tossing, or spooking.
7. Allows the horse to develop physically - left/right balance, suppleness, strength of back and loin, tendon and ligament durability without the weight of the driver/sulky.
8. Promotes the cardiovascular system.
Twenty minutes a day is all it would take to add this short, but beneficial exercise into your program.
![]()
To learn more about longeing, you can read this article.
The next exercise that I got laughed out of the county for...was trotting poles! Hmm, you own a trotter and yet you don't think TROTTING poles would be a smart addition to your program? Now don't get me wrong, trotting poles are just as beneficial to pacers as well!
The advantage of trotting poles, like longeing, is it increases balance, rhythm, and stability. It also allows the horse to extend his front end and really work the shoulder muscles, while at the same time, work the stifles and hips. Now of course, if your horse is just starting out, you can walk him over these poles, and what I find is that first time over, the horse is a little scared, but after a few times, the fear is gone. Now I realize that standardbred trainers use shadow rolls to keep the horse focused on whats in front of them rather than whats on the ground (shadows), but this exercise will teach the horse that even though there are SCARY SHADOWS on the ground, they will not hurt them, and the horse will eventually pay no mind to them on the race track. Trotting poles will also teach your horse to develop an ability to adjust their stride.
To do this exercise: Find four 4-6 rails and set them apart at a distance of 1.4 metres between the rails and you will be pretty close to an "average" horse's trot stride. Walk him over them first using a lead line and get him acquainted with them. If he sees you going over them, he'll know they won't jump up and bite him! Most importantly stay safe and have fun!
Odd objects you can find around the farm (that have no sharp edges) is another way of "toughening" up your horse. Blue tarps, garbage bags, flower pots (with some really colorful flowers in them), barrels, or anything that they may "snort" at, are things to desensitize them. Position these items at varying spots in a sand ring or some type of an enclosure, then lead them around, getting not too close at first, but use a "gradual" introduction approach. They may get a little freaked out, but keep in mind that YOU are the herd leader, and if you're calm, they too will soon relax. If your horse pulls back away from you, let him. There's no sense in getting into a tug-o-war with him, because let's face it, you'll lose. Just calmly follow your horse, do a small circle with him, and re-introduce him to the object. Eventually, he will be satisfied that NONE of these objects are going to attack him. Remember, horses are prey animals and they have inherited a "Fight or Flight" reflex. You'll know when your horse feels safe around the object when he eventually starts blinking again and tends to look off into the distance, as if to say, "Ok, this is boring, what else have you got for me?" A horse that is blinking, is thinking. A nice scratch on the withers is a great reward. Try and refrain from patting his face or neck because in the wild, scratching the withers is how they show "affection".
Other training techniques that can be used are:
1. Backing - This is pretty self explanatory. You just ask the horse to "back up", in a straight line, for about 20 feet. Walk the horse forward and repeat. This is a great way to work the stifles and the haunches!
2. Circles - Asking your horse to do tight circles with you promotes flexion and suppleness in the back and loins. Going both right and left works the neck muscles too. Remember, when your feet are moving, his should be moving, and vice versa; when your feet are not moving, neither should his. Always keep 2 feet of distance between you and your horse; You don't want him on top of you when he's walking, and you don't want him pulling away either.
3. Grooming - Now you may say, "How is this a training technique?" Well, not only does it give you an opportunity to thoroughly inspect your horse for cuts, bumps, bruises, etc., it increases their blood circulation. It promotes bonding and respect, and what horse doesn't LOVE the attention...who wouldn't like to be pampered?
4. Turn-Out - For those of you stabled at a racetrack, go invest in a round pen or rent one. Just a few hours a day of outdoor time works wonders. It gives them a chance to stretch their legs and allows them to unwind emotionally!
For now, I strongly suggest even implementing ONE of the above mentioned techniques into your training program. I'm not saying that you have to do all of these every single day, but incorporating something different will keep your horse from becoming bored with the same old routine. Plus, you are working muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints that could easily prevent you a visit from your vet! And let's not forget that emotionally, your horse will be a lot happier...and a happy horse is a winning horse!
Notes
I'd like to give a shout out to Eldorado Max, who just last Thursday, raced at Hiawatha Horse Park and finished 3rd. He's 14 years old and this will be his last year racing! The "old warrior" never fails to impress and just keeps on truckin'. He's owned and trained by Danterra Racing Stable in Strathroy, Ontario. GOOD LUCK MAX in your retirement at the end of this year!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
Now me, I was raised as a riding gal, mostly English Equitation with a bit of Western Pleasure thrown into the mix, and let me tell you, I get quite a bit of heat from the standardbred guys when I mention the word, "longeing" (lungeing). Usually the eyebrows go up, a snicker or two comes out of their mouths, which is then followed by the comment, "Riding horses and race horses are different!" Yes, that may be true, but their conditioning, especially when they're a youngster, is absolutely identical.
The benefits of, and uses for longeing are so varied that it should be a part of the training and exercise program of all horses.
Tell me something all you racehorse trainers out there: What are the first injuries that normally occur when racing? If you answered splints and bows (stifles are up there as well), you win a prize. What's the prize? Education. Keep reading.
The benefits of longeing are two-fold:
1. Develops obedience to voice commands and body language.
2. Establishes the foundation for ground driving.
3. Is a progressive step in the horse's education. Makes the transition from in-hand work to training work logical and systematic.
4. Develops added confidence and familiarity between horse and trainer; sets the stage for upcoming learning.
5. Introduces movement principles - balance, rhythm, vertical and lateral flexion, gait extension and collection without interference from a driver.
6. Is helpful for correcting bad habits such as impure gaits, head tossing, or spooking.
7. Allows the horse to develop physically - left/right balance, suppleness, strength of back and loin, tendon and ligament durability without the weight of the driver/sulky.
8. Promotes the cardiovascular system.
Twenty minutes a day is all it would take to add this short, but beneficial exercise into your program.
To learn more about longeing, you can read this article.
The next exercise that I got laughed out of the county for...was trotting poles! Hmm, you own a trotter and yet you don't think TROTTING poles would be a smart addition to your program? Now don't get me wrong, trotting poles are just as beneficial to pacers as well!
The advantage of trotting poles, like longeing, is it increases balance, rhythm, and stability. It also allows the horse to extend his front end and really work the shoulder muscles, while at the same time, work the stifles and hips. Now of course, if your horse is just starting out, you can walk him over these poles, and what I find is that first time over, the horse is a little scared, but after a few times, the fear is gone. Now I realize that standardbred trainers use shadow rolls to keep the horse focused on whats in front of them rather than whats on the ground (shadows), but this exercise will teach the horse that even though there are SCARY SHADOWS on the ground, they will not hurt them, and the horse will eventually pay no mind to them on the race track. Trotting poles will also teach your horse to develop an ability to adjust their stride.
To do this exercise: Find four 4-6 rails and set them apart at a distance of 1.4 metres between the rails and you will be pretty close to an "average" horse's trot stride. Walk him over them first using a lead line and get him acquainted with them. If he sees you going over them, he'll know they won't jump up and bite him! Most importantly stay safe and have fun!
Odd objects you can find around the farm (that have no sharp edges) is another way of "toughening" up your horse. Blue tarps, garbage bags, flower pots (with some really colorful flowers in them), barrels, or anything that they may "snort" at, are things to desensitize them. Position these items at varying spots in a sand ring or some type of an enclosure, then lead them around, getting not too close at first, but use a "gradual" introduction approach. They may get a little freaked out, but keep in mind that YOU are the herd leader, and if you're calm, they too will soon relax. If your horse pulls back away from you, let him. There's no sense in getting into a tug-o-war with him, because let's face it, you'll lose. Just calmly follow your horse, do a small circle with him, and re-introduce him to the object. Eventually, he will be satisfied that NONE of these objects are going to attack him. Remember, horses are prey animals and they have inherited a "Fight or Flight" reflex. You'll know when your horse feels safe around the object when he eventually starts blinking again and tends to look off into the distance, as if to say, "Ok, this is boring, what else have you got for me?" A horse that is blinking, is thinking. A nice scratch on the withers is a great reward. Try and refrain from patting his face or neck because in the wild, scratching the withers is how they show "affection".
 |
| A Blue Tarp Can Teach A Horse To Not Be Afraid |
Other training techniques that can be used are:
1. Backing - This is pretty self explanatory. You just ask the horse to "back up", in a straight line, for about 20 feet. Walk the horse forward and repeat. This is a great way to work the stifles and the haunches!
2. Circles - Asking your horse to do tight circles with you promotes flexion and suppleness in the back and loins. Going both right and left works the neck muscles too. Remember, when your feet are moving, his should be moving, and vice versa; when your feet are not moving, neither should his. Always keep 2 feet of distance between you and your horse; You don't want him on top of you when he's walking, and you don't want him pulling away either.
3. Grooming - Now you may say, "How is this a training technique?" Well, not only does it give you an opportunity to thoroughly inspect your horse for cuts, bumps, bruises, etc., it increases their blood circulation. It promotes bonding and respect, and what horse doesn't LOVE the attention...who wouldn't like to be pampered?
4. Turn-Out - For those of you stabled at a racetrack, go invest in a round pen or rent one. Just a few hours a day of outdoor time works wonders. It gives them a chance to stretch their legs and allows them to unwind emotionally!
For now, I strongly suggest even implementing ONE of the above mentioned techniques into your training program. I'm not saying that you have to do all of these every single day, but incorporating something different will keep your horse from becoming bored with the same old routine. Plus, you are working muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints that could easily prevent you a visit from your vet! And let's not forget that emotionally, your horse will be a lot happier...and a happy horse is a winning horse!
Notes
I'd like to give a shout out to Eldorado Max, who just last Thursday, raced at Hiawatha Horse Park and finished 3rd. He's 14 years old and this will be his last year racing! The "old warrior" never fails to impress and just keeps on truckin'. He's owned and trained by Danterra Racing Stable in Strathroy, Ontario. GOOD LUCK MAX in your retirement at the end of this year!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Roll With It Baby!!
I'm not going to start with the Meadowlands Pace (Roll With Joe won it), but begin with a few other races that caught my eye during the night.
Takterrific!! Who the hell said the 7 hole was taboo, because See You At Peelers cleaned their clocks in the Tarport Hap on the Meadowlands Pace undercard. And what the hell was Krispy Apple doing trying to over-take SYAP on the backstretch, then going WAY wide on the turn for home? I think a lot of the entrants were trying to out-race the filly phenom, but were left scratching their heads. And what the hell happened to Pretty Katherine? She was pulled up off the gate. Would it be impossible for the commentators to give us an update? Just tell us if she's ok or not damnit! Idyllic was the only real threat to SYAP and after she was given the whip on the stretch for home, she basically said, "eff you", and broke stride, however she still retained her second place finish.
Brian Sears said that SYAP felt like she was going to break stride on the turn for home, but he caught it, and checked her back into her momentum. She may be looking for a much needed rest after this race, and hopefully her connections won't run her into the ground and she ends up becoming lame. So, the filly phenom wins in 1:51:0 and keeps her winning streak going - 20 and 0. To compare her to the thoroughbred, Zenyatta, would be like comparing apples to oranges, however, both are great for their perspective industries.
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Race 6: Speaking of Takter, he also had Pastor Stephen entered in the Stanley Dancer Memorial Elimination for 3-yr-old trotting colts, and while he wasn't as successful as his stablemate, See You At Peelers, the race was still exciting. Pastor Stephen trotted to the top in 27:1, but the 5 horse, Dejarmbro, took over in 56:1, and then the race belonged to Manyofmanymissions, who eventually won it in 1:52:1. The son of Yankee Glide is definitely on his way to the Hambletonian as he cleared the wire just 1/5th of a second off the Stanley Dancer track record. Trainer Erv Miller commented, "The horse has been a puzzle", "He had an abscess in his foot and we re-shod him." Andy Miller had the drive and will be looking forward to the Hambletonian.
Race 7: I Fought Dalaw wins the NJ Sire Stakes Championship, with Dave Miller on the lines. Trainer Sam De Pinto had only good words for the Western Ideal colt, saying, "He don't give up", and when asked about how he came across the 2-yr-old? "I liked the way he moved in the field and took a shot at him."
Race 8: With Yannick Gingras at the lines, the Astreos sired, Mr Massimo never looked back as he crossed the wire in 1:50:2.
Race 9: Here we go! So here were my picks: Wink N Atcha, Big Jim, Foreclosure N. Who wins? Or should I say, "Who screws up my trifecta?" ROLL WITH JOE!! But first, I would like to say that this is the first time I have seen a small video clip of HOW the entrants got to the Meadowlands Pace. It was a quick montage of some of the elimination races, however, I would have liked to have seen the entrants a little more in-depth. Maybe them frolicking at the farm, or explain their pedigrees, or talk about the trials and tribulations of racing. But, who cares, it was better than nothing. I learned quite a few things before the race, which explains alot about the outcome:
* Betterthancheddar scoped mucous because of allergies, that, and the fact that he had a shoe change. Yikes!
* Custard The Dragon touches his knees and that's why his connections picked the 3 hole...Ummm...something to keep in mind when betting him in future races??
* Foreclosure N was born on January 1, which makes him the oldest colt in the field! I think he's coming into a win soon and should have a nice 4-yr-old campaign!
But, as much as Big Jim tried his hardest to win, having 5 lengths to make up on the outside turn for home, it was Roll With Joe, a $100,000 purchase at the Lexington Sale, that stole the show. The fractions were:
26:1 - 53:0 - 1:21:0 - 1:48:2
That had to have been the hardest race Big Jim has run and with a bit more real estate, Jim would have nipped Joe!
Joe's driver, Ron Pierce, is no stranger to the winner's circle in the Meadowlands Pace, where he guided Well Said in 2009 and Art Official in 2008. He has also won million dollar races in the last 6 straight years. KA-CHING! After the race, Pierce commented on the Cams Card Shark progeny; "He's better than anyone thought he was." And when asked about his race strategy, the Hall of Famer easily quipped, "I thought I had enough horse to hold him [Jim] off!"
Trainer Ed Hart was over-the-top with joy as he stood shaking in the winner's circle; "He had an excellent week in training." "Pierce had real confidence in him." Hmmm, wonder what's next for Joe??
![]()
On to other news: The Meadowlands Pace consol didn't surprise me too much as Up The Credit, with Brian Sears on the lines, "pulled a rabbit out of his hat" and drove hard on the outside to steal the win away from High Noon and Ron Pierce in 1:50:1. When it comes down to it, I don't think Up The Credit would have done much in the Meadowlands Pace, and maybe the consolation was a better fit for the Western Terror colt.
Other horses "kicking their heels in delight" with big wins:
Monkey On My Wheel; Camille; Chapter Seven; Pirouette Hanover; Vic Smith; Upside Hanover; Twin B Legend; Mach Of Ballykeel; Lucky Jim.
The Sophomore Pacing Filly Final will go down on July 23, 2011 at Mohawk; Here is the line-up:
1. Camille
2. Monkey On My Wheel
3. Patsys Luck
4. Village Janus
5. Imagine Semalu
6. Modern Connection
7. Machs Delicacy
8. Look Cheap
9. Epoxy Queen
10. Brush With Royalty
AE Lucky Taryn
The Sophomore Pacing Colt Final also set to go down on July 23, 2011 at Mohawk, features:
1. Twin B Legend
2. Prodigal Seelster
3. Mach Of Ballykeel
4. Calgary Seelster
5. Drain Daddy
6. Cam B Zipper
7. Dreamfair Kovu
8. Thats The Life
9. Camaes Fellow
10. Mystician
AE Eastend Eddy
Stay tuned for more exciting harness racing action!!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
Takterrific!! Who the hell said the 7 hole was taboo, because See You At Peelers cleaned their clocks in the Tarport Hap on the Meadowlands Pace undercard. And what the hell was Krispy Apple doing trying to over-take SYAP on the backstretch, then going WAY wide on the turn for home? I think a lot of the entrants were trying to out-race the filly phenom, but were left scratching their heads. And what the hell happened to Pretty Katherine? She was pulled up off the gate. Would it be impossible for the commentators to give us an update? Just tell us if she's ok or not damnit! Idyllic was the only real threat to SYAP and after she was given the whip on the stretch for home, she basically said, "eff you", and broke stride, however she still retained her second place finish.
Brian Sears said that SYAP felt like she was going to break stride on the turn for home, but he caught it, and checked her back into her momentum. She may be looking for a much needed rest after this race, and hopefully her connections won't run her into the ground and she ends up becoming lame. So, the filly phenom wins in 1:51:0 and keeps her winning streak going - 20 and 0. To compare her to the thoroughbred, Zenyatta, would be like comparing apples to oranges, however, both are great for their perspective industries.
Race 6: Speaking of Takter, he also had Pastor Stephen entered in the Stanley Dancer Memorial Elimination for 3-yr-old trotting colts, and while he wasn't as successful as his stablemate, See You At Peelers, the race was still exciting. Pastor Stephen trotted to the top in 27:1, but the 5 horse, Dejarmbro, took over in 56:1, and then the race belonged to Manyofmanymissions, who eventually won it in 1:52:1. The son of Yankee Glide is definitely on his way to the Hambletonian as he cleared the wire just 1/5th of a second off the Stanley Dancer track record. Trainer Erv Miller commented, "The horse has been a puzzle", "He had an abscess in his foot and we re-shod him." Andy Miller had the drive and will be looking forward to the Hambletonian.
Race 7: I Fought Dalaw wins the NJ Sire Stakes Championship, with Dave Miller on the lines. Trainer Sam De Pinto had only good words for the Western Ideal colt, saying, "He don't give up", and when asked about how he came across the 2-yr-old? "I liked the way he moved in the field and took a shot at him."
Race 8: With Yannick Gingras at the lines, the Astreos sired, Mr Massimo never looked back as he crossed the wire in 1:50:2.
Race 9: Here we go! So here were my picks: Wink N Atcha, Big Jim, Foreclosure N. Who wins? Or should I say, "Who screws up my trifecta?" ROLL WITH JOE!! But first, I would like to say that this is the first time I have seen a small video clip of HOW the entrants got to the Meadowlands Pace. It was a quick montage of some of the elimination races, however, I would have liked to have seen the entrants a little more in-depth. Maybe them frolicking at the farm, or explain their pedigrees, or talk about the trials and tribulations of racing. But, who cares, it was better than nothing. I learned quite a few things before the race, which explains alot about the outcome:
* Betterthancheddar scoped mucous because of allergies, that, and the fact that he had a shoe change. Yikes!
* Custard The Dragon touches his knees and that's why his connections picked the 3 hole...Ummm...something to keep in mind when betting him in future races??
* Foreclosure N was born on January 1, which makes him the oldest colt in the field! I think he's coming into a win soon and should have a nice 4-yr-old campaign!
But, as much as Big Jim tried his hardest to win, having 5 lengths to make up on the outside turn for home, it was Roll With Joe, a $100,000 purchase at the Lexington Sale, that stole the show. The fractions were:
26:1 - 53:0 - 1:21:0 - 1:48:2
That had to have been the hardest race Big Jim has run and with a bit more real estate, Jim would have nipped Joe!
Joe's driver, Ron Pierce, is no stranger to the winner's circle in the Meadowlands Pace, where he guided Well Said in 2009 and Art Official in 2008. He has also won million dollar races in the last 6 straight years. KA-CHING! After the race, Pierce commented on the Cams Card Shark progeny; "He's better than anyone thought he was." And when asked about his race strategy, the Hall of Famer easily quipped, "I thought I had enough horse to hold him [Jim] off!"
Trainer Ed Hart was over-the-top with joy as he stood shaking in the winner's circle; "He had an excellent week in training." "Pierce had real confidence in him." Hmmm, wonder what's next for Joe??
On to other news: The Meadowlands Pace consol didn't surprise me too much as Up The Credit, with Brian Sears on the lines, "pulled a rabbit out of his hat" and drove hard on the outside to steal the win away from High Noon and Ron Pierce in 1:50:1. When it comes down to it, I don't think Up The Credit would have done much in the Meadowlands Pace, and maybe the consolation was a better fit for the Western Terror colt.
Other horses "kicking their heels in delight" with big wins:
Monkey On My Wheel; Camille; Chapter Seven; Pirouette Hanover; Vic Smith; Upside Hanover; Twin B Legend; Mach Of Ballykeel; Lucky Jim.
The Sophomore Pacing Filly Final will go down on July 23, 2011 at Mohawk; Here is the line-up:
1. Camille
2. Monkey On My Wheel
3. Patsys Luck
4. Village Janus
5. Imagine Semalu
6. Modern Connection
7. Machs Delicacy
8. Look Cheap
9. Epoxy Queen
10. Brush With Royalty
AE Lucky Taryn
The Sophomore Pacing Colt Final also set to go down on July 23, 2011 at Mohawk, features:
1. Twin B Legend
2. Prodigal Seelster
3. Mach Of Ballykeel
4. Calgary Seelster
5. Drain Daddy
6. Cam B Zipper
7. Dreamfair Kovu
8. Thats The Life
9. Camaes Fellow
10. Mystician
AE Eastend Eddy
Stay tuned for more exciting harness racing action!!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
It's The 2011 Meadowlands Pace!!
This should be one of the most exciting nights of racing this summer, as the field is set for the 2011 Meadowlands Pace! Not only is Big Jim the favorite, but he has his own CHEERING SECTION too!!
Take a look at the entire field here
With powerful punches going to come from Roll With Joe and Custard The Dragon, Big Jim will definitely have his work cut out for him! However, nabbing the 2 hole should help, and coming off a win, the Western Ideal phenom is looking for a TKO!!!
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Westwardho Hanover
More Info
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Big Jim
More Info
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Custard The Dragon
More Info
![]()
Feel Like A Fool
More Info
![]()
Wink N Atcha
More Info
![]()
Powerful Mist
More Info
![]()
Betterthancheddar
More Info
![]()
Roll With Joe
More Info
![]()
Bestofbest Hanover
More Info
![]()
Foreclosure N
More Info
My picks:
Win: Wink N Atcha
Place: Big Jim
Show: Foreclosure N
I know, I know, probably not even close to what the betting public will choose, but I think they're all great athletes and it's really difficult to pick!!
Good Luck To All!!!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
Take a look at the entire field here
With powerful punches going to come from Roll With Joe and Custard The Dragon, Big Jim will definitely have his work cut out for him! However, nabbing the 2 hole should help, and coming off a win, the Western Ideal phenom is looking for a TKO!!!
More Info
More Info
More Info
More Info
More Info
Powerful Mist
More Info
More Info
More Info
Bestofbest Hanover
More Info
More Info
My picks:
Win: Wink N Atcha
Place: Big Jim
Show: Foreclosure N
I know, I know, probably not even close to what the betting public will choose, but I think they're all great athletes and it's really difficult to pick!!
Good Luck To All!!!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
See You At Peelers Going To The Meadowlands!!
See You At Peelers will make her only stop at the Meadowlands this season on Saturday, July 16.
Harness racing's undefeated princess of pacing bids for her 20th straight win in the $127,000 Tarport Hap. She will start from post seven in the evening's fifth race with Brian Sears at the lines. Her only other appearance at the Meadowlands was in her first career start, a conditioned raced for two-year-old fillies on July 10, 2010. See You At Peelers, trained by Jimmy Takter and owned by his wife, Christina, and John and Jim Fielding, is not eligible to the Mistletoe Shalee on August 6.
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The three-year-old filly is within reach of two notable winning streaks, those of Sanabelle Island, who won 23 straight races from 1996-1997, and Handle With Care, who won 24 from 1973-1974. Sanabelle Island first tasted defeat at the Meadowlands courtesy of Stienams Place in the 1997 Mistletoe Shalee. Handle With Care's streak ended to a filly named Joanns Time in 1974, pre-dating the 1976 opening of the Meadowlands.
The Tarport Hap stakes record is 1:49.2, set by Happy Dreamer in 2008. All three sophomore fillies who went on to become Horse Of The Year won the Tarport Hap along the way: Fan Hanover (1981), Bunny Lake (2001) and Rainbow Blue (2004).
Trainer Jimmy Takter won the Tarport Hap with Cabrini Hanover in 2005.
Story by Standardbred Canada
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
Harness racing's undefeated princess of pacing bids for her 20th straight win in the $127,000 Tarport Hap. She will start from post seven in the evening's fifth race with Brian Sears at the lines. Her only other appearance at the Meadowlands was in her first career start, a conditioned raced for two-year-old fillies on July 10, 2010. See You At Peelers, trained by Jimmy Takter and owned by his wife, Christina, and John and Jim Fielding, is not eligible to the Mistletoe Shalee on August 6.
The three-year-old filly is within reach of two notable winning streaks, those of Sanabelle Island, who won 23 straight races from 1996-1997, and Handle With Care, who won 24 from 1973-1974. Sanabelle Island first tasted defeat at the Meadowlands courtesy of Stienams Place in the 1997 Mistletoe Shalee. Handle With Care's streak ended to a filly named Joanns Time in 1974, pre-dating the 1976 opening of the Meadowlands.
The Tarport Hap stakes record is 1:49.2, set by Happy Dreamer in 2008. All three sophomore fillies who went on to become Horse Of The Year won the Tarport Hap along the way: Fan Hanover (1981), Bunny Lake (2001) and Rainbow Blue (2004).
Trainer Jimmy Takter won the Tarport Hap with Cabrini Hanover in 2005.
Story by Standardbred Canada
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Custard The Dragon, Big Jim, and See You At Peelers, Knocks Em' Out Of The Park!
* Just when you thought you could count out Big Jim and Phil Hudon, they come back in the Meadowlands Pace elimination and SLAM one out into left field! Hudon guided the Western Ideal phenom right to the lead after a 27.1 opening quarter, and after that, the remainder of the field seen Jim's "heels" cross the wire in 1:50.0 flat. "He was awesome," said Hudon, who will be making his Meadowlands Pace debut. "He paced right to the wire. It's going to be an interesting final."
* Custard The Dragon also impressed as he fought off a late challenge from NA Cup entrant, Foreclosure N, as they headed for the wire in 1:50.2. Dragon's driver, Montrell Teague, will become the youngest driver in a Meadowlands Pace final. The colt is trained by his father, George Teague Jr., who is no stranger to the Meadowlands Pace, when he won in 2007 with Southwind Lynx.
Other horses "kicking their heels with joy" over the weekend were:
Dreamfair Eternal (set a new Canadian track record in 1:50.3); Peach Martini (new career best in 1:55); Look Cheap (new career best in 1:51.2); Tamarind; Watermelonwine; Kashs Caviar; See You At Peelers (established a new speed standard for her age, sex and gait, and kept her career record unblemished after 19 starts); Miss Kaylee Em (new career best in 1:56.4) Count Speed; Mach It Paid; Jezzy; Leader Of The Gang; Time To Roll; Pet Rock; I Fought Dalaw; Anthonyskywalker; Junior K; Fantaddy; Outlawpositivcharg and Oakmont.
* Marc St. Louis Jr. was "back on track" Sunday, winning 5 of the 11 races on the program at Dresden Raceway. Winning horses were: Lyons Ruby, Aint No Dollatable, Laura Mae, Four Starz Dice, and Late Bloomer. St. Louis pushed his win totals to 116 for the year and 687 lifetime with his five-win performance.
* Last week I blogged about racing without shoes or with glue-ons, and posed the question, "Could the harness industry ever adopt this concept?" On Saturday night, at Georgian Downs, Strand Hanover proved that this concept may indeed be the route that trainers and owners will begin to adopt. Strand Hanover went wire-to-wire, winning the $119,000 Masters Stakes for older pacers, providing driver J.R. Plante with his biggest thrill yet. In the winner's circle, trainer Rene Allard commented that Strand Hanover had some problems with his feet a while back (among other problems), so in turn, they pulled his shoes, and gave him, and his hooves, some time off. Not wanting to re-visit any more hoof issues, they decided that the race on Saturday night would be the perfect time to allow the five-year-old son of Modern Art, to wear GLUE-ONS!
* In Thoroughbred action, Bob Baffert stole the show in the Hollywood Gold Cup when both his entrants, First Dude and Game On Dude, battled at the wire to overtake heavy favorite, Twirling Candy. First Dude was eventually declared the winner and the race was his biggest career victory. Baffert said, "It's like that line, 'I don't know who won, but I know I did'", paraphrasing Charlie Wittingam. This is Baffert's third Hollywood Gold Cup win following Real Quiet in 1999, and Congaree in 2003. As an added note, jockey Chantal Sutherland was the first female to have a mount in the Hollywood Gold Cup -- and she nearly won it while riding Game On Dude!
* Other headlines: Making his U.S. debut, European invader, Cape Blanco denied champion Gio Ponti a third straight victory in the $600,000 Man o' War. The two-time reigning turf champion, Gio Ponti was attempting to become the first horse to win the Man o' War three consecutive times but was compromised by a wide trip. "He was getting over the ground great," Dominguez said. "I had a great trip, saving as much ground as possible, and my horse gave me a good turn of foot, but it was not enough."
"Turn of foot" - This is a common term, used in British racing. A horse with a good "turn of foot" has prompt acceleration; the ability to quicken its pace at a moments notice.
* View From The Racetrack Grandstand blogs, "Theres Too Much Damn Racing" A topic that needs much discussion!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
* Custard The Dragon also impressed as he fought off a late challenge from NA Cup entrant, Foreclosure N, as they headed for the wire in 1:50.2. Dragon's driver, Montrell Teague, will become the youngest driver in a Meadowlands Pace final. The colt is trained by his father, George Teague Jr., who is no stranger to the Meadowlands Pace, when he won in 2007 with Southwind Lynx.
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| Custard The Dragon (Left) & Big Jim (Right), winning their Eliminations. Lisa Photo |
Other horses "kicking their heels with joy" over the weekend were:
Dreamfair Eternal (set a new Canadian track record in 1:50.3); Peach Martini (new career best in 1:55); Look Cheap (new career best in 1:51.2); Tamarind; Watermelonwine; Kashs Caviar; See You At Peelers (established a new speed standard for her age, sex and gait, and kept her career record unblemished after 19 starts); Miss Kaylee Em (new career best in 1:56.4) Count Speed; Mach It Paid; Jezzy; Leader Of The Gang; Time To Roll; Pet Rock; I Fought Dalaw; Anthonyskywalker; Junior K; Fantaddy; Outlawpositivcharg and Oakmont.
* Marc St. Louis Jr. was "back on track" Sunday, winning 5 of the 11 races on the program at Dresden Raceway. Winning horses were: Lyons Ruby, Aint No Dollatable, Laura Mae, Four Starz Dice, and Late Bloomer. St. Louis pushed his win totals to 116 for the year and 687 lifetime with his five-win performance.
* Last week I blogged about racing without shoes or with glue-ons, and posed the question, "Could the harness industry ever adopt this concept?" On Saturday night, at Georgian Downs, Strand Hanover proved that this concept may indeed be the route that trainers and owners will begin to adopt. Strand Hanover went wire-to-wire, winning the $119,000 Masters Stakes for older pacers, providing driver J.R. Plante with his biggest thrill yet. In the winner's circle, trainer Rene Allard commented that Strand Hanover had some problems with his feet a while back (among other problems), so in turn, they pulled his shoes, and gave him, and his hooves, some time off. Not wanting to re-visit any more hoof issues, they decided that the race on Saturday night would be the perfect time to allow the five-year-old son of Modern Art, to wear GLUE-ONS!
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| Strand Hanover Lisa Photo |
* In Thoroughbred action, Bob Baffert stole the show in the Hollywood Gold Cup when both his entrants, First Dude and Game On Dude, battled at the wire to overtake heavy favorite, Twirling Candy. First Dude was eventually declared the winner and the race was his biggest career victory. Baffert said, "It's like that line, 'I don't know who won, but I know I did'", paraphrasing Charlie Wittingam. This is Baffert's third Hollywood Gold Cup win following Real Quiet in 1999, and Congaree in 2003. As an added note, jockey Chantal Sutherland was the first female to have a mount in the Hollywood Gold Cup -- and she nearly won it while riding Game On Dude!
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| First Dude (Left) goes by Game On Dude (Right) and Twirling Candy benoitphoto.com |
* Other headlines: Making his U.S. debut, European invader, Cape Blanco denied champion Gio Ponti a third straight victory in the $600,000 Man o' War. The two-time reigning turf champion, Gio Ponti was attempting to become the first horse to win the Man o' War three consecutive times but was compromised by a wide trip. "He was getting over the ground great," Dominguez said. "I had a great trip, saving as much ground as possible, and my horse gave me a good turn of foot, but it was not enough."
"Turn of foot" - This is a common term, used in British racing. A horse with a good "turn of foot" has prompt acceleration; the ability to quicken its pace at a moments notice.
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| Gio Ponti won the Man o' War in 2009 and 2010 (Shown) Coglianese photos |
* View From The Racetrack Grandstand blogs, "Theres Too Much Damn Racing" A topic that needs much discussion!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Elimination Nation
Friday Notes
* View From The Racetrack Grandstand gives us a good look at the eliminations for The Meadowlands Pace on Saturday, as well as The Yonkers Trot and The Hudson Filly Trot. The Masters Stakes from Georgian Downs is also this weekend and it allows the 4-Year-Olds to compete for some good coin!
* Pull The Pocket introduced me to Bob Baffert's Twitter account a couple days ago, and outside of the fact that his user name is Midnight Lute (Thought for sure it would have been Silver Charm), AND that his photo is an egg...*scratches head*...One tweet that he posted really caught my attention:
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* A couple of days ago I blogged about trying to use "Personal Synchronicity" as a way to pick horses that will end up ITM in a race. Personal Synchronicity occurs when an external concept ties up with something that is only relevant to you or your close circle at that time. So while I was typing the blog, the Stompin' Tom song came on, "The Good Old Hockey Game". I pulled up the entries of my local racetrack and decided to bet on the 7 horse, Heshoots Hescores......well, when it came to post time, I come to find out that Heshoots Hescores decided to SCRATCH -- (VET-SICK)..!!! Ok, did I do that with my stupid Synchronicity?? Geesh I hope not! Anyways, I think I'll stick to making my picks based on other concepts, unless I win a $16,000 $1 superfecta using Synchronicity, then we'll talk!
* Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, had a successful surgery repairing a hairline slab fracture and is expected to be back on the track in 90 days.
* Leading Trotters:
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* Leading Pacers:
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Good luck to all this weekend!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
* View From The Racetrack Grandstand gives us a good look at the eliminations for The Meadowlands Pace on Saturday, as well as The Yonkers Trot and The Hudson Filly Trot. The Masters Stakes from Georgian Downs is also this weekend and it allows the 4-Year-Olds to compete for some good coin!
* Pull The Pocket introduced me to Bob Baffert's Twitter account a couple days ago, and outside of the fact that his user name is Midnight Lute (Thought for sure it would have been Silver Charm), AND that his photo is an egg...*scratches head*...One tweet that he posted really caught my attention:
* A couple of days ago I blogged about trying to use "Personal Synchronicity" as a way to pick horses that will end up ITM in a race. Personal Synchronicity occurs when an external concept ties up with something that is only relevant to you or your close circle at that time. So while I was typing the blog, the Stompin' Tom song came on, "The Good Old Hockey Game". I pulled up the entries of my local racetrack and decided to bet on the 7 horse, Heshoots Hescores......well, when it came to post time, I come to find out that Heshoots Hescores decided to SCRATCH -- (VET-SICK)..!!! Ok, did I do that with my stupid Synchronicity?? Geesh I hope not! Anyways, I think I'll stick to making my picks based on other concepts, unless I win a $16,000 $1 superfecta using Synchronicity, then we'll talk!
* Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, had a successful surgery repairing a hairline slab fracture and is expected to be back on the track in 90 days.
* Leading Trotters:
* Leading Pacers:
Good luck to all this weekend!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Time For A Bit O' Humor!!
Below are a list of phrases or words that one should be on the lookout for when perusing the classified ads:
Big Trot: (Can't canter within a two mile straight-away)
Nicely Started: (Lunges, but we don't have enough insurance to ride him yet)
Top Show Horse: (Won a Reserve Champion 5 years ago at a show with unusually low entries due to tornado warning)
Homebred: (Knows nothing despite being raised on the back porch)
Big Boned: (Good thing he has a mane and tail or he would be mistaken for a cow)
No Vices: (Especially when he wears his muzzle)
Bold: (Runaway)
Good Mover: (Runaway)
Athletic: (Runaway)
Needs Intermediate Rider: (Runaway)
Should Mature Over 16 Hands: (Currently 14 hands, dam is 14.2, sire is 15.3 hands, every horse in pedigree back 18 generations is under 16 hands, but "this" horse will defy his DNA and grow)
Well Mannered: (Hasn't stepped on, run over, bit, or kicked anyone for a week)
Professionally Trained: (Hasn't stepped on, run over, bit, or kicked anyone for a month)
Excellent Disposition: (Never been out of the stall)
Clips, Hauls, Loads: (Clippity Clippity is the sound that his hooves make as he hauls butt across the parking lot when you try to load him)
For Sale Due To Lack Of Time: (Rider cannot afford to spend any more time in the hospital)
Spirited: (Psychotic)
Well Bred: (Mother and father are also brother and sister)
Color is Black: (Brown and/or dirty)
Suits Eventing: (No brakes)
Suits Dressage: (No accelerator)
Dispersing Stock: (Qualified in 5:10.2)
Lightly Raced: (Won't Load - Scratched - Transportation)
Free Legged Pacer: (Kicks like a mad man when you try to put the hobbles on)
Top 10 Exercises To Become A Better Equestrian
10. Drop a heavy steel object on your foot. Don't pick it up right away. Shout, "Get off, stupid, GET OFF!!"
9. Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice "relaxing into the fall". Roll lithely into a ball and spring to your feet.
8. Learn to grab your checkbook at lightning speed and write out a $400 check without looking down.
7. Jog long distances carrying a halter and a carrot. Go ahead and tell the neighbors what you're doing - they might as well know now.
6. Affix a pair of reins to a moving freight train and practice pulling to a halt. Smile as if you are having fun.
5. Hone your fibbing skills: "See hon, moving hay bales is FUN!" and "No, really, I'm glad your lucky performance and multi-million dollar horse won that race. I am just thankful that my hard work and actual ability got me second!"
4. Practice dialing your chiropractor's number with both arms paralyzed to the shoulder, and one foot anchoring the lead rope of a frisky horse.
3. Lie face down in a puddle of mud in your most expensive clothes and repeat to yourself, "This is a learning experience, this is a learning experience, this is..."
2. Borrow the U.S. Army's slogan, "Be All That You Can Be", -- bitten, thrown, kicked, slimed, trampled, frozen...
1. And the number one exercise to become a better equestrian? Marry Money!!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire.
Big Trot: (Can't canter within a two mile straight-away)
Nicely Started: (Lunges, but we don't have enough insurance to ride him yet)
Top Show Horse: (Won a Reserve Champion 5 years ago at a show with unusually low entries due to tornado warning)
Homebred: (Knows nothing despite being raised on the back porch)
Big Boned: (Good thing he has a mane and tail or he would be mistaken for a cow)
No Vices: (Especially when he wears his muzzle)
Bold: (Runaway)
Good Mover: (Runaway)
Athletic: (Runaway)
Needs Intermediate Rider: (Runaway)
Should Mature Over 16 Hands: (Currently 14 hands, dam is 14.2, sire is 15.3 hands, every horse in pedigree back 18 generations is under 16 hands, but "this" horse will defy his DNA and grow)
Well Mannered: (Hasn't stepped on, run over, bit, or kicked anyone for a week)
Professionally Trained: (Hasn't stepped on, run over, bit, or kicked anyone for a month)
Excellent Disposition: (Never been out of the stall)
Clips, Hauls, Loads: (Clippity Clippity is the sound that his hooves make as he hauls butt across the parking lot when you try to load him)
For Sale Due To Lack Of Time: (Rider cannot afford to spend any more time in the hospital)
Spirited: (Psychotic)
Well Bred: (Mother and father are also brother and sister)
Color is Black: (Brown and/or dirty)
Suits Eventing: (No brakes)
Suits Dressage: (No accelerator)
Dispersing Stock: (Qualified in 5:10.2)
Lightly Raced: (Won't Load - Scratched - Transportation)
Free Legged Pacer: (Kicks like a mad man when you try to put the hobbles on)
Top 10 Exercises To Become A Better Equestrian
10. Drop a heavy steel object on your foot. Don't pick it up right away. Shout, "Get off, stupid, GET OFF!!"
9. Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice "relaxing into the fall". Roll lithely into a ball and spring to your feet.
8. Learn to grab your checkbook at lightning speed and write out a $400 check without looking down.
7. Jog long distances carrying a halter and a carrot. Go ahead and tell the neighbors what you're doing - they might as well know now.
6. Affix a pair of reins to a moving freight train and practice pulling to a halt. Smile as if you are having fun.
5. Hone your fibbing skills: "See hon, moving hay bales is FUN!" and "No, really, I'm glad your lucky performance and multi-million dollar horse won that race. I am just thankful that my hard work and actual ability got me second!"
4. Practice dialing your chiropractor's number with both arms paralyzed to the shoulder, and one foot anchoring the lead rope of a frisky horse.
3. Lie face down in a puddle of mud in your most expensive clothes and repeat to yourself, "This is a learning experience, this is a learning experience, this is..."
2. Borrow the U.S. Army's slogan, "Be All That You Can Be", -- bitten, thrown, kicked, slimed, trampled, frozen...
1. And the number one exercise to become a better equestrian? Marry Money!!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
If The Shoe Fits...
Back in 2008, headlines were made regarding Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown's quarter crack issues, and people began to ask themselves, "Why not let these race horses run without shoes?" Surely it's achievable in todays day and age? We focus on track surfaces, whether the synthetic surfaces are easier on the horse than the dirt surfaces, but is it time to look at their shoes as a solution in strengthening their disposition? First, what are quarter cracks? Hoof cracks [general term] typically begin at either the coronary band and extend downward, or at the weight-bearing surface of the hoof extending upward, and their location and severity directly affect their impact on a horse's performance. The most common cracks are quarter cracks, which occur at the quarter, the thinnest most delicate part of the hoof wall. Quarter cracks are caused by a variety of factors, including genetic predisposition, time of year, improperly trimmed feet, and traumatic injury. Injury to the site may be a result of common things such as hard racetracks, misplaced shoeing nails, and stones.
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| A crack starting at the coronary (Left) - A crack starting at the sole (Right) |
Cracks may also develop when horses are exercised on uneven surfaces. According to Veterinarian Tomas G. Teskey, he and others firmly believe that to apply steel (or aluminum) to horse's feet causes harm, and what follows is a synopsis of just a few of the damaging effects of nailing shoes onto horse's hooves:
"The horse's hoof as evolved as a conical structure, with domes and triangles arranged into one of the strongest and most dynamic constructions in nature. When a farrier prepares the hoof for shoeing, he flattens the bottom, which destroys the hoof's ability to perform vital functions, and nailing a rigid steel ring around its lower edge further ensures its steady deterioration and deformation. The nails driven through the hoof walls allows all manner of bacteria and fungus to enter the foot, and the efficient, physical barrier to these invaders is breached when the hoof wall is pierced. The damage caused to the horse due to decreased shock absorption within the shod foot is well documented. The horse's hoof is designed to handle most of the shock absorption required for traveling over any terrain. This is accomplished when the hoof capsule moves and expands upon contact with the earth. When steel is fixed to the hoof capsule, the hoof cannot adequately expand and the built-in shock absorbing structures within the hoof cannot do their job. As a result, the joints, cartilages, and ligaments higher in the horse's leg, back, and entire body, must now dissipate concussive forces they are not designed to handle, resulting in extra wear and tear which produces measurable damage to these areas. In a properly functioning hoof, the sole slightly flattens as hundreds of pounds of weight come to bear on the hoof capsule. Shoes prevent this action, instead holding the sole in a non-weightbearing, vaulted position and the rest of the hoof capsule in a contracted state. The sole is now unable to escape the now-punishing blows of the coffin bone above, and the forces coming down into the foot are now compromising the sole and the coffin bone together, causing bruising with every step. The circulation factor in the horse's hoof also becomes compromised because the natural hoof moves blood with each step as it expands and contracts. If this sounds familiar, like the blood-pumping mechanism of a heart, that's because it is. Natural hooves perform a critical function as supplementary "hearts". This vital heart-like mechanism is greatly restricted by immobilizing the hoof with shoes. Reduced circulation through the feet and legs of the shod horse results in reduced circulation to the entire body."
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| Big Brown undergoing special hoof care for quarter cracks. |
So, which trainers and owners are running their horses barefoot? Are there any? Sara and Brian Minsk, owners of Nine Maple Farm in Mendon, Mass. race barefoot only. Sara writes, "I believe we were the first ones in the U.S. to breed, train and race barefoot, as we started in 2003 with Thoroughbreds. We created a particular environment for our horses to allow their hooves to develop to their fullest potential. At the time, barefoot was NOT in fashion, and we were quite the outcasts." Their homebred Arabian racehorse, NMF Benraz Halim, a.k.a. Benny, trained by Leslie Bickel, has raced barefoot with zero training-related physical setbacks. "He has never worn shoes and trains and races on concrete-hard American dirt tracks. He was stakes placed as a Juvenile and just placed second in the Michigan Derby Stakes Race on July 28, 2007. He has 10 starts, with 1 win, 4 place (two of those being stakes races) and 1 show." Sara and Brian have had racing success with both Arabians and Thoroughbreds.
Another equine to bring attention to racing barefoot, is the English Thoroughbred, Saucy Night (owned by Eamonn Wilmott) when he entered the record books on January 3, 2005, by winning the 2-1/2 mile steeplechase at Folkstone, in the U.K., WITHOUT shoes. As Saucy cantered past the winning post, yet again, the commentator shouted out, "Message to all trainers out there - Get your horse's shoes off!!" Kavi, also owned by Eamonn Wilmott, is a five-year-old gelding who races on the flat barefoot. On February 14, 2005, he was entered in a race at Lingfield Park over 1M, 4 furlongs, on the all-weather surface, and at post-time he was rated 16th of 16 runners. Three furlongs from home, Kavi cruised up to take the win easily by 3 lengths. Racing Post thinks it may be the first ever win on the flat for a horse without shoes. He paid 64-1 on the tote.
Similarily, the 2006 Kentucky Derby starter, Brother Derek, trained without shoes. As per the Associated Press 2/9/06: "San Rafael winner, Brother Derek, galloped 1-1/2 miles without shoes for trainer Dan Hendricks. Dan notes, 'He trains without shoes and he's worn glue-on shoes since Del-Mar to allow his feet to air out and expand naturally.' The colt's next start was in the Santa Catalina on March 4, 2006, a Grade 2, which he won.
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| Brother Derek training with his glue-on shoes. |
The question still remains though, how many trainers and owners will race their horses barefoot? Has their been enough research done to satisfy questions of safety, traction, and comfort or discomfort to the horse? Would it ever be possible for Standardbreds to race barefoot given that they are raced more frequently, with a tougher track surface than Thoroughbreds? Will glue-ons eventually take the place of steel or aluminum shoes? I guess we will have to ponder this, one step-at-a-time...shoeless of course...ahem!
excerpts from Novita, Tomas G. Teskey, Barefoot Performance: Horse Racing, Thoroughbred Times
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
You Know What Really Grinds My Gears??
Today's blog post is basically a b#$ch fest because I cannot believe how much money is being spent on trying to detect illegal drugs in the racing industry. STOP CHEATING, damnit! My blog friend at View From The Racetrack Grandstand posted about how the industry now has to come up with at least $100,000 to try and detect ONE drug, yes, you heard me right, ONE FREAKIN' DRUG! Go on, read his blog post, I'll wait.
We CANNOT and SHOULD NOT have to keep dumping this type of negative cash flow into our industry. I know, I know, I get the fact that someone has to be the watchdog, and the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium are doing their best, but they're pulling their hair out trying to detect the next best ILLEGAL wonderdrug. Seriously, they're shoving crap into horses that unless you were a chemistry major from MIT, you wouldn't know what the hell it was. I can't even pronounce half the stuff on the recent ruling list. Honestly though, that money could be spent elsewhere in order to create positive changes! Hey, I know a toteboard at a local racetrack that's still made out of freakin' plywood, wheel some cash over there! Similarily, ensure that the drivers, trainers, and grooms make a bit more dough, they have to make a living too you know! Toss some funding to rescue facilities, hell, the majority of those horses that are lucky enough to make it there have been dragged through the chemistry lab as it is. It's no wonder they end up going for meat!
Ok, off the soapbox. Ahem.
For those that are interested, you can view the Recent Rulings on the RMTC website here. Talk about jaw dropping.
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Can We Use Astrology to Pick Winners?
I'll admit, I love astrology, but I'm not quite sure that knowing a horse's "sign" is going to put you in the money, let alone the winner's circle. While perusing the internet, I decided to google it, (what the hell), and amazingly their are websites out there that do believe you can win using the "stars". There's even software to help you out! I know, weird eh?? Anyways, I began reading an article that wasn't so much about using astrology, but about basing your picks on a concept called, "Synchronicity". No, that doesn't mean you listen to the band, The Police, and then pick, but it's based on the concept that YOU WILL ONLY WIN MONEY WHEN YOUR PROGRESSIONS AND TRANSITS ALLOW IT. Huh? Well, that's what this guy says. He also says to find any possible reason to bet against the public. Well, I've done that once or twice, only to end up getting my a## kicked at the wire. Didn't work.
So here's a clip from his blog - let's read what his crystal ball says:
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"Anyone can spot a horse with form! It really does not benefit you to bank a horse with a good form line unless you absolutely have to. These favorites don't come in 25 percent of the time, and that is where the big money lies. I studied the discarded tickets of thousands of other punters, noticing the ‘pipes’, legs in which up to 99 percent of punters went ‘thin’ on a favorite, and the large payouts that occurred when these 'pipes' burst. Many factors can cause this to happen. Jockeys can ride a horse incorrectly, choose the wrong lines, read the pace incorrectly, front-run a non front-running horse, get 'boxed in' or purposefully lean on the horse’s neck at the 200 to slow it up. Lots of things can go wrong.
So here's a clip from his blog - let's read what his crystal ball says:
At the age of 28, I was introduced to a punter known in several cities as the ‘Master’. He showed me how to take ‘consolation bets’ (betting against yourself in case your own ‘pipe' bursts: a small 'consolation' ticket can sometimes pay huge dividends). He taught me how to follow breeding (of the horses' parents and grandparents) versus distance, and focus on betting, which was similar to receiving the best tips from the best stables simultaneously, since nobody likes to lose money. If a horse was previously punted heavily for no apparent reason, and came nowhere, then it is almost a sure-fire thing for the next meeting or two, and the odds will be better. Horses, like humans, also have bad days.
The ‘Master’ has made hundreds of thousands of rands from horse-racing, all with reasonably small bets. I keep records of my small wagers, and am also well ahead. (By the way, I only know a handful of successful punters, and they all bet against favorites whenever possible). Racing is truly a challenging game of skill, allowing players to excercise far more control than with other more sterile odds-based methods of gambling.
The best advice I can give is: You can save yourself a lot of time by avoiding the time-consuming study-path mentioned above. The rules always boil down to the same basic paradigm: YOU WILL ONLY WIN MONEY WHEN YOUR PROGRESSIONS AND TRANSITS ALLOW. I cannot stress this point enough. At the times permitted for you to win money, whatever method you employ to make your bets will work. Therefore, why choose a more difficult path of calculation? After studying factors influencing horse-races for many years, I can report that a method that offers equally good results is based on the concept of synchronicity.
You wonder how that lady down the road picked the winner 'In Full Flight' of this year's big race? It's because her daughter caught a plane that morning! They are all over the place, a huge, unrepresented number of mainly women who consistently pick winners based on events happening to themselves or the world at the time. Believe it or not, synchronicity really works. Women are intrinsically more intuitive than men. They have had to evolve that way to safeguard the homes and emotional centres of our communities. When it comes to intuition, they beat men hands-down. That is the reason why so many more women follow Astrology, they are able to see the truth that lies beyond the scientific reasons as to why it should not work.
It is hard for me to teach you to spot synchronicity in your own lives. Perhaps a few examples that happened to me will help.
A while back, I was lying in hospital in pain with a stuck kidney-stone and read that a horse, 'Flaming Rock', was running in the Rothman's July Handicap, our biggest race. During that same week, comet Shoemaker-Levy crashed into Jupiter. I banked the horse and it won the July.
A while later, a horse called 'Lethal Attack' was running in the same week that there had been a nerve-gas attack in a Tokyo subway. It won.
These are examples of what I call 'Global' synchronicity. There is also another form that works very well, and let's just call that 'Personal' synchronicity for now. It occurs when an external concept ties up with something that is only relevant to you or your close circle at that time. For instance, suppose yesterday you read an article about, say, Eagles. Today there is a horse running called 'Eagle Rising'. The chances of that horse of being in the money today, placing or even winning, are excellent. You have to learn how to spot a synchronous tie-up, and to know when it is too vague to be of relevance.
A final form of synchronicity (that I am aware of) is synchronicity that occurs within the names of the horses in each race. I have had hundreds of examples of this, and it seems to work about three-quarters of the time. It needs you to be relaxed, alert and requires some delicate handling of your intuition. For example, if there are horses running called 'Royal King' and 'Royal Ruler' in the same race, it is very likely that at least one of these horses will win or place. Often both come in. Study of this has convinced me that it occurs more than the average amount of times, had it been caused by 'chance'. Note, I say 'place', they do not necessarily win, they are just in the money. You will have to experiment with this concept to find whether it works for you."
So there you have it, get yourself synchronized and get out there and bet your socks off. Ok, this is extremely odd because as I'm typing this blog post, "Stompin Tom", is playing his infamous song, "The Good Old Hockey Game" on my radio! Hang on...going to quickly look at a few entries for this week at my local track...
(insert elevator music here)
Guess who I'm betting in the 10th race at Hiawatha this Thursday? The 7 horse, Heshoots Hescores!! Let's see if this "sync" stuff really works!!!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Happy Canada Day!!
What's On Tap This Weekend For The Racing World?
Clinton Raceway - Kin Pace - Sunday, July 3, 2011 - $70,000 Purse - View Card Here
Dresden Raceway - OSS Grassroots - Sunday, July 3, 2011 - View Card Here
Mohawk Raceway - Beat The Heat Pacing Series - Saturday, July 2, 2011 - Appearances by Betterthancheddar, Bunny In The Bank, Grumpy Jake, and Ok Boromir - 2011 NA Cup Contenders, Foreclosure N, Rockabillie, Eighteen, and Bestofbest Hanover also make appearances during the night - View Card Here
Flamboro Raceway - Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final - Sunday, July 3, 2011 - $130,000 Purse - View Card Here
The Meadowlands - Titan Cup Final - Saturday, July 2, 2011 - $220,750 Purse - Special appearances by Lucky Jim, Buck I St Pat, and Arch Madness - View Card Here
Tioga Downs - Historic - Saturday, July 2, 2011 - $76,200 Purse - View Card Here
Harrahs Chester - The Ben Franklin Final - Sunday, July 3, 2011 - $500,000 Purse - Foiled Again, Won The West, We Will See, and Bettor Sweet all go head to head - View Card Here
Thoroughbred Stakes Races This Weekend
View Schedule Here
Good Luck To All And Have A Great Holiday!!
Stay safe, keep your hooves on the ground, and keep reaching for the wire.
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