One came off the turf yesterday at the PHA (Centerofattraction), and today's (My Son Spider) was a judgment call because the dirt surface at the PHA is such a boggy, muddy mess.
So, we'll try again.
Two entries, two scratches here in the soggy mid-Atlantic
Moderators: Roguelet, WaveMaster, Diane, K~2
Denise,
probably for the best. Hopefully can spot them in another race without having to wait too long.
I have a couple of questions if you have the patience.
when you scratch a horse from a race is there a penalty? Is the jockey relieved not to have to take a mud bath or thinking he/she lost a ride?
I have watched races on many a rainy, muddy day. I watch my horses slip slide in my pasture on days like these and wonder how race horses manage to stay on their feet. So I guess I'm asking if you scratched for safety, because these two have not done well previously on a wet track, or something else entirely?
Thanks,
JonR
probably for the best. Hopefully can spot them in another race without having to wait too long.
I have a couple of questions if you have the patience.
when you scratch a horse from a race is there a penalty? Is the jockey relieved not to have to take a mud bath or thinking he/she lost a ride?
I have watched races on many a rainy, muddy day. I watch my horses slip slide in my pasture on days like these and wonder how race horses manage to stay on their feet. So I guess I'm asking if you scratched for safety, because these two have not done well previously on a wet track, or something else entirely?
Thanks,
JonR
Hey Rags
You can always scratch a turf horse without penalty if a race comes off the grass. Our mare can't stand up on the dirt, so she's a pure "turfer."
LOL. Sometimes, if you scratch a horse, the trainer and horse can get "days", where they have to wait a period to enter/run again. We had a couple of experiences in NY, with NY breds, having to leave them in a race that came off the grass, in order to keep our "date" good for running. Sometimes you don't get days, but you get penalized by the horse having to start over in terms of a good "date" for entering turf races, losing preference over others with earlier dates.
Spider's just a baby, a 3yo. with only one start under his belt. The dirt track at Philly can be very hard on horses when it's had this much rain, and been sealed. The trainer felt it would not have benefited Spider one bit to even gallop over the surface. Her suspicions were confirmed when she talked to another trainer at Philly who said his horse that ran there yesterday, with glue on shoes, lost two of them in the mud and came back a little sore.
I can't imagine how hard it must be for the jocks to come back full of mud, because it's certainly not easy on the horses who come back full of it in their nostrils and eyes, either.
LOL. Sometimes, if you scratch a horse, the trainer and horse can get "days", where they have to wait a period to enter/run again. We had a couple of experiences in NY, with NY breds, having to leave them in a race that came off the grass, in order to keep our "date" good for running. Sometimes you don't get days, but you get penalized by the horse having to start over in terms of a good "date" for entering turf races, losing preference over others with earlier dates.
Spider's just a baby, a 3yo. with only one start under his belt. The dirt track at Philly can be very hard on horses when it's had this much rain, and been sealed. The trainer felt it would not have benefited Spider one bit to even gallop over the surface. Her suspicions were confirmed when she talked to another trainer at Philly who said his horse that ran there yesterday, with glue on shoes, lost two of them in the mud and came back a little sore.
I can't imagine how hard it must be for the jocks to come back full of mud, because it's certainly not easy on the horses who come back full of it in their nostrils and eyes, either.
makes sense
Denise thanks for the response.
I can now picture the horses running down the track with red rubber plungers on their feet instead of shoes. I can certainly see now how the horse has to work harder and would come back sore.
Post your next dates if you have a mind to.
Thanks,
JonR
I can now picture the horses running down the track with red rubber plungers on their feet instead of shoes. I can certainly see now how the horse has to work harder and would come back sore.
Post your next dates if you have a mind to.
Thanks,
JonR
Next start
We're in Saturday at the PHA with Lei Diavalo, NW2L, 7F on the dirt.
The weather forecast is much better in the next few days, so that one should be a go.
The weather forecast is much better in the next few days, so that one should be a go.
Hi Rags
Not very good, unfortunately. She "dwelt" in the gate again, spotted the field 5 lengths immediately, and came flying at the end to just get nicked out of 3rd. She was only beaten about 4 lengths. Just infuriating.
She is once again on the starter's list and earned herself a few schooling trips to the gate. She's absolutely sound, no problems, feels good....but just stands there when the doors open. And she CAN run, which is what really drives us crazy.
They're working with her this week and we will do the right thing by her. If she doesn't want to race for a living, someone could probably take her as a show horse. She has a lovely, easy disposition and is flashy looking.
This all probably goes back to a miserable trip at Aqueduct last Nov. with a jockey who shall remain nameless, who jacked on her head and whacked her in the gate at the start. She's been odd every since.
We're on the AE for a turf race with Centerofattraction at the mountain (Penn) Wednesday, but probably won't draw in.
She is once again on the starter's list and earned herself a few schooling trips to the gate. She's absolutely sound, no problems, feels good....but just stands there when the doors open. And she CAN run, which is what really drives us crazy.
They're working with her this week and we will do the right thing by her. If she doesn't want to race for a living, someone could probably take her as a show horse. She has a lovely, easy disposition and is flashy looking.
This all probably goes back to a miserable trip at Aqueduct last Nov. with a jockey who shall remain nameless, who jacked on her head and whacked her in the gate at the start. She's been odd every since.
We're on the AE for a turf race with Centerofattraction at the mountain (Penn) Wednesday, but probably won't draw in.
tuff spot. have a horse that can win, but is happy in the hole. how much easier life would be if you were Dr. Doolittle. I can sympathize with your frustration. Gate work has to be tough, you can create a new problem fixing the old one.
Good luck on wednesday. I hope to look at the pedigrees wednesday morning before the rabbit starts the chase (they don't use rabbits, then how do the horses know to run?).
JonR
Good luck on wednesday. I hope to look at the pedigrees wednesday morning before the rabbit starts the chase (they don't use rabbits, then how do the horses know to run?).
JonR
Hm. Poor mare. Some horses are like elephants, they NEVER forget. It's just an idea, perhaps if the gate crew are sympathetic they might let you mess around with her there. Could a hackamore help for training, just to get her over the fear of having her mouth jerked?
So Run for the Roses, as fast as you can.....
Well, they worked her this morning in a set of three out of the gate. Broke just fine. Somebody stayed in there with her this time, which could have been the problem during the race: they left her alone.
Who knows? We can only eliminate one possibility at a time, so at least we know something today that we didn't know yesterday. She might need a gate crewperson in there with her, petting her, praising her, etc.
Very girly girl.
Who knows? We can only eliminate one possibility at a time, so at least we know something today that we didn't know yesterday. She might need a gate crewperson in there with her, petting her, praising her, etc.
Very girly girl.
Re: Hi Rags
Denise wrote:We're on the AE for a turf race with Centerofattraction at the mountain (Penn) Wednesday, but probably won't draw in.
Looking at the entries for Penn dont see centerofattraction running today.
Glad Lei Diavalo gate work went so well.
JonR
Center was deep on the AE tonight at the mountain, so hopefully, she'll get in next week in a NW2L on the lawn.
My Son Spider's in Sunday at Delaware, MCL25K, mile and 16. He tried MSW at the distance at Pimlico last month and tired, but did get caught in a salty heat. This upcoming heat's no bargain, but he's gained a little more maturity after his first experience, so we'll see.
My Son Spider's in Sunday at Delaware, MCL25K, mile and 16. He tried MSW at the distance at Pimlico last month and tired, but did get caught in a salty heat. This upcoming heat's no bargain, but he's gained a little more maturity after his first experience, so we'll see.
Well, a win...then a DQ to 2nd.
My Son Spider made a game effort, but lugged out a bit in the stretch and got DQ'd to 2nd. Bittersweet, obviously, but he improved greatly off his very first start, so we'll watch him the next few days and see how he comes out of it.
The Yin and the Yang, again....
The Yin and the Yang, again....