So let's get back to this conversation that an organic surface is better than an inorganic surface.... And how horses will be sounder and how they will be safer....
Two more horses broke down this morning at Hollywood. One was Pletcher, it was put down. The fate of the other is unknown by me. And these are not the first to be injured. Hind legs have been breaking, tendons, etc.
The track was closed to training this morning at 7:45ish as the track was deemed unsafe. This after the last was apparently delayed some as the riders were complaining about the surface...
Seems Cushion track is not all it's cracked up to be. Maybe Polytrack would have been a better choice...
Inglewood, Inglewood....
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sunday_silence
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sunday_silence
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I listened to Richard Shapiro, the head of the CHRB, on the Willman show this morning. I was as big a critic of the synthetic track as anyone. I thought it was too fast, knee jerk, not well thought out considering the California climate and not a little unfair to the breeders and horsemen which selected their stock and their matings based on the status quo.
That said, I agree with Willman, Shapiro and Toby Turrell. California is committed now. We have to work this out and make it work. There is a learning curve and apparently the track guys were tinkering on a surface that may have lower tolerances for that. The old days are gone and someone has to figure out this track.
As for the injuries, I've heard through the grapevine there have been an unusual rise in hind end problems. But there is bias all around this issue. Some of the critics probably would prefer to train at Santa Anita anyway. Sometimes it's easiest to blame the track when things go wrong. Some of the rosiest people love polytrack anyway so its tough to evaluate what they are saying.
But here's one bottom line in my book. If the surface can reduce the catastrophic breakdowns in the afternoon, I'm all for it even if horses are still getting hurt in the morning. Call me shallow but we live in an Internet world. A horse went down in the first at Aqueduct yesterday and he probably wasn't dead an hour before someone updated this database with an RIP. The most coverage the day after the Breeders Cup was about Pine Island and in several newspapers, that was the only photograph run. The biggest story all year has been Barbaro (and deservedly so).
Racing needs a break from the mudslinging and fans don't need to be treated to carnage when they try to relax at the track. Breakdowns and accidents are going to happen. As responsible owners, trainers and breeders, we need to minimize it to the best of our ability. If Cushion track can do that, let's fix it. It was a pleasure at Hollywood yesterday to see them all come home on the main track. It certainly was nicer than the apprehension I felt all meet at Del Mar.
That said, I agree with Willman, Shapiro and Toby Turrell. California is committed now. We have to work this out and make it work. There is a learning curve and apparently the track guys were tinkering on a surface that may have lower tolerances for that. The old days are gone and someone has to figure out this track.
As for the injuries, I've heard through the grapevine there have been an unusual rise in hind end problems. But there is bias all around this issue. Some of the critics probably would prefer to train at Santa Anita anyway. Sometimes it's easiest to blame the track when things go wrong. Some of the rosiest people love polytrack anyway so its tough to evaluate what they are saying.
But here's one bottom line in my book. If the surface can reduce the catastrophic breakdowns in the afternoon, I'm all for it even if horses are still getting hurt in the morning. Call me shallow but we live in an Internet world. A horse went down in the first at Aqueduct yesterday and he probably wasn't dead an hour before someone updated this database with an RIP. The most coverage the day after the Breeders Cup was about Pine Island and in several newspapers, that was the only photograph run. The biggest story all year has been Barbaro (and deservedly so).
Racing needs a break from the mudslinging and fans don't need to be treated to carnage when they try to relax at the track. Breakdowns and accidents are going to happen. As responsible owners, trainers and breeders, we need to minimize it to the best of our ability. If Cushion track can do that, let's fix it. It was a pleasure at Hollywood yesterday to see them all come home on the main track. It certainly was nicer than the apprehension I felt all meet at Del Mar.
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Tucumcari
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You are right about the hind end issues. I called that long before they trained over it. If they can't dig in, their *sses will fall apart.
I'm all for safety for horses and riders, believe me! But I don't think an artificial surface is going to be the be all end all. As I said in some pre Hollywood opening for training, people thinking that horses aren't going to breakdown on a synthetic surface will give them license to press on things that shouldn't be pressed on. And as a result horses will continue to get hurt. The art of horsemanship is quite something when it's applied. And a consience for equine and human life is a really lovely thing.
They aren't just getting hurt in the morning. and to me an injury in the morining is no less devastating than it is in the afternoon. We do need to fix the problems with injuries, but I think we have to start with backing off when they are sore. Start at the point of origin for the injury, which isn't necessarily the surface's fault alone. IMHO.
They are committed, all right. That place is looking more and more like a subdivision with each passing day.
The other day a woman who's house looks over the backside (very closely over the barn area) was complaining to security that the horses were keeping her awake in the wee hours of the morning. I thought to myself, Lady you live in Inglewood, you ought to be thankful it's only horses waking you up in the middle of the night. I thought it was kind of funny.
I'm all for safety for horses and riders, believe me! But I don't think an artificial surface is going to be the be all end all. As I said in some pre Hollywood opening for training, people thinking that horses aren't going to breakdown on a synthetic surface will give them license to press on things that shouldn't be pressed on. And as a result horses will continue to get hurt. The art of horsemanship is quite something when it's applied. And a consience for equine and human life is a really lovely thing.
They aren't just getting hurt in the morning. and to me an injury in the morining is no less devastating than it is in the afternoon. We do need to fix the problems with injuries, but I think we have to start with backing off when they are sore. Start at the point of origin for the injury, which isn't necessarily the surface's fault alone. IMHO.
They are committed, all right. That place is looking more and more like a subdivision with each passing day.
The other day a woman who's house looks over the backside (very closely over the barn area) was complaining to security that the horses were keeping her awake in the wee hours of the morning. I thought to myself, Lady you live in Inglewood, you ought to be thankful it's only horses waking you up in the middle of the night. I thought it was kind of funny.
Last edited by Tucumcari on Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Tucumcari
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sunday_silence wrote:I'm sorry it's dead, whoever it is. Why is it so wrong to want to know who? Geez.
I personally am tired of the RIP threads. And it's really not that relevant. It's kind of like slowing down at a car accident to see what you can see... what's the point. Morbid human curiosity. I'm sure some one will answer that question sooner or later, but it won't be me.
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sunday_silence
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You know, whatever, OK? I've been following several of the horses in Pletcher's California string since they broke their maidens, so they mean something to me, even though I am not personally connected to them. Jumping to conclusions about people's motitvations is kind of insulting. I hope it's comfortable sitting up there on your high horse.
It's funny but I went down to the track yesterday and looked at the surface close up. I had never seen it before. It reminded me of Betty Crocker brownie mix before the egg, the oil and the water.
Obviously she's already learned how to sleep through the police and ambulance sirens. A friend of mine calls that the "Official Song of Inglewood".
Next to that, I can see how horses could be very disturbing.
The other day a woman who's house looks over the backside (very closely over the barn area) was complaining to security that the horses were keeping her awake in the wee hours of the morning. I thought to myself, Lady you live in Inglewood, you ought to be thankful it's only horses waking you up in the middle of the night. I thought it was kind of funny.
Obviously she's already learned how to sleep through the police and ambulance sirens. A friend of mine calls that the "Official Song of Inglewood".
Next to that, I can see how horses could be very disturbing.-
Tucumcari
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sunday_silence wrote:You know, whatever, OK? I've been following several of the horses in Pletcher's California string since they broke their maidens, so they mean something to me, even though I am not personally connected to them. Jumping to conclusions about people's motitvations is kind of insulting. I hope it's comfortable sitting up there on your high horse.
I love my high horse. Suits me well.
Like I said someone will post it. Won't be me.
Have a lovely day.
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Tucumcari
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[Obviously she's already learned how to sleep through the police and ambulance sirens. A friend of mine calls that the "Official Song of Inglewood".
Next to that, I can see how horses could be very disturbing.[/quote]
And of course the gunfire and the planes...
I personally find the backside sounds soothing... seems she didn't feel that way... she might have bought in the wrong location... atleast for the next few years...
My money is on a mass exodous of horses for trainers who regularly train at Santa Anita, who split their stables to train over the "holly." They'll be heading for familliar surfaces.
Next to that, I can see how horses could be very disturbing.[/quote]
And of course the gunfire and the planes...
I personally find the backside sounds soothing... seems she didn't feel that way... she might have bought in the wrong location... atleast for the next few years...
My money is on a mass exodous of horses for trainers who regularly train at Santa Anita, who split their stables to train over the "holly." They'll be heading for familliar surfaces.
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Melhor_Ainda
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Sysonby wrote:A horse went down in the first at Aqueduct yesterday and he probably wasn't dead an hour before someone updated this database with an RIP.
For the record, I take them out when I see them. I've even sat on horses for days afterward and end up having to take the same comment out a couple dozen times (I'm STILL dealing with Second Of June). The only thing that needs to be in there is a "Died xx/xx/xx" Those RIP comments are stupid and a waste of space.
Post your condolenses here, don't waste bandwidth in the database.
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louis finochio
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Re: Inglewood, Inglewood....
Tucumcari wrote: One was Pletcher, it was put down.
Sure didn't mind dropping his name, though. For what purpose?
If your point is to aviod RIP's and keep the thread on subject by making each breakdown 'horse x' then perhaps it should be 'trainer x' as well.
I do not agree with "withholding names" in any case, but if you are going to do it, don't publicize the name of the trainers, owners, or other connections. Hyprocritical statements will generate a lot more posts, also not on topic.