Who is this fellow training Rockport Harbor ?

FOS · Postby **FOS** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 1:15 pm

hi all

When Smarty Jones was an undefeated colt going into the Ky Derby...it seemed that his relatively little-known (other than regionally of course) trainer John Servis was on top of everything relating to his star trainee.

Approaching the 2004 Ky Derby I sensed that even a single hair out of place would not have been missed (or overlooked) by Servis and his team...and that SJ (and his health and condition...and doing what's best for the horse) was Priority Number 1.

Fast forward to 2005...and low and behold it appeared that trainer Servis had in his care another Ky Derby prospect in Rockport Harbor.

If you recall...last November (2004) it was reported that Rockport Harbor suffered a gash or "severe laceration" (per DRF) in the area of the lower-pastern-to-heel area of a foot...during the running of the Remsen. Approx 4 months later...according to a report in DRF (3/26/2005) "Part of the old injury site was found to be moving independent of the rest of the foot......"

Servis was quoted (in the DRF) as saying "He had an opening in the hoof from the old injury," "It wasn't a quarter crack. What happened was when he would step down, the hoof would shift." "(Blacksmith) McKinlay pared out a portion of the foot, then wired it so the old injured portion would be in unison with the rest of the foot, giving consistency to Rockport Harbor's step."

Fast forward approx one month (from that report) to the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (on April 23, 2005). Prior to the race...trainer Servis shared his confidence in the colt...and seemed to make little (if anything) of the fact that the Keeneland track was sloppy. A video segment during the live broadcast highlighted the colts foot injury...which had apparently been "pared" "wired" and sealed or patched (per DRF).

The many previous reports and the video segment (re: the colt's foot injury)...coupled with the sloppy track etc raised some questions (at least in my mind) regarding whether or not (All Things Considered) it was prudent to run the colt.

Rockport Harbor raced...and was beaten (as the 7-10 favorite) by over 20 lengths. And even after his STINKER of a performance...Servis did not rule out the possibility that RH might be Ky Derby-bound.

Is this the same John Servis that we watched handle Smarty Jones in 2004...hmmm ?

What are your thoughts ?

Respectfully

reenci · Postby **reenci** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 8:26 pm

sum it up in two words....."derby fever"....this strange afliction will cause many level headed people to lose there sense of of what they want to do an what they should do. other words whats right and whats wrong.

roving boy · Postby **roving boy** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:01 am

I think it is the same John Servis. He has been very judicious in his handling of a colt who has been extremely impressive. The Lexington was the last chance for RH to shwo if he could go to the Derby.

After Saturday, I would expect Servis to back off and point RH to Saratoga (Travers?).

FOS · Postby **FOS** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:45 am

hi guys

Having seen and heard so much about the "severe laceration" Rockport Harbor suffered...and the fact that it had not originally healed properly...and that months after the injury it had to be "pared" and "wired" and patched or sealed just last month...I was perplexed.

Considering the course of events...then seeing the video segment (during the live television coverage on race day) re: Rockport Harbor's foot...it bewildered me even more. The expression...'No foot, No horse'...came to mind...not the word "judicious."

Has anyone heard a follow-up report re: Rockport Harbor's foot and/or condition...since the Coolmore Lexington.

Best to you.

Respectfully

Mahubah · Postby **Mahubah** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:40 pm

There's an article posted at the Blood-Horse website. Basically, what is says is that Rocky came out of the Lexington in good physical shape but his connections will skip the TC races in favor of freshening him for a late summer campaign, with the Haskell and the Travers as possible targets.

reenci · Postby **reenci** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:26 pm

roving boy wrote:I think it is the same John Servis. He has been very judicious in his handling of a colt who has been extremely impressive. The Lexington was the last chance for RH to shwo if he could go to the Derby.

After Saturday, I would expect Servis to back off and point RH to Saratoga (Travers?).

right on ...then i would have to agree that the fever has broke, derby fever that is.........

FOS · Postby **FOS** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:17 pm

hi Mahubah

Thanks...read the article.

Mahubah...the CURRENT status of the injured foot was NEVER specifically referenced in the article...only some general comments (including) that Rockport Harbor emerged from the race in "great physical condition" (a statement credited to owner Rick Porter)" and "...we will ship back to Philadelphia Park next week and resume training. ..." (credited to Rick Porter again) etc.

Are we to assume that the colt's foot is okay? That was one nasty injury. I look forward to hearing something specific re: not only the current but also the ongoing status of RH's previously reported "severely lacerated" foot...that as recently as last month was reportedly "pared" "wired" (per trainer Servis as reported in the DRF) and sealed or patched.

Best to you.

Respectfully

louis finochio · Postby **louis finochio** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:21 am

To many Tb have been pushed over the cliffs edge trying to make the Derby. The trainers from the old school paid there dues on their way up and would have stopped these TB before they were thrown for breakdowns.

The new generation of trainers havent paid their dues and will breakdown these TB in order to make the Derby. I hope JS has paid his dues and will turn out RH before he becomes a statistic of breakdowns that was rushed to make the Derby. m

Nessa · Postby **Nessa** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:53 pm

louis finochio wrote:To many Tb have been pushed over the cliffs edge trying to make the Derby. The trainers from the old school paid there dues on their way up and would have stopped these TB before they were thrown for breakdowns.

The new generation of trainers havent paid their dues and will breakdown these TB in order to make the Derby. I hope JS has paid his dues and will turn out RH before he becomes a statistic of breakdowns that was rushed to make the Derby. m

I hope so too. Rockport Harbor's sire was pretty much destroyed as a runner in the need of the owner/trainer to make the Derby.