The Making of a Champion Thoroughbred: A Race Horse Owner’s Blog - Entry 15

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Which racetrack is the top racing facility in the United States?

Santa Anita by far - it has all the components from beauty to history and racing schedule to make it the number one choice

27%

Gulfstream Park - with its new renovations and fantastic racing schedule, Gulfstream Park gets my vote.

15%

Churchill Downs - simply because it's the home of the Kentucky Derby.

21%

Saratoga Racetrack - a spectacular summer meet that highlights history while featuring top competitive thoroughbreds.

22%

None of these racetracks qualify as America's premier racing facility.

16%

Total votes: 475

Weekend recap

Frank the Barber

Well what can I say, he was an embarrassment. Yes we know he is not a sprinter but he needed a tuneup. He got absolutely nothing out of the race. Finished last and did not want to run. I was questioning why we put him this and not the 1 1/16th race on the turf afterward....and while he was not going to win that race he would have gotten more out of it. He will be targeted for a Jersey Bred Stakes going long in 3 weeks and right now the other partners are not happy with me because after the race I continued to question the thinking on the placement in this race. While I did not get any good answers I got my message across...that I dont want to keep putting this horse in spots over his head.

Beacon Beach

He did a lot better. While I thought the fact the trainer brought his mom in to watch the race and told us to stall so she could get her wheel chair down for the win photo,was a good sign....I guess it was a little to optimistic for a horse coming off an 8 month layoff. He was beaten and beaten well....but he even though he tired he could of given up and just quit, but when a couple other horses passed him he decided to rally and move back up into second. I really thought he needed this race and will hopefully set him up well for the next one.

What you did not see (because tvg had the race on tape delay) that before the race a horse broke through the gate and was not scratch, Beacon sat quietly for 3 minutes in the gate...right before the the horse was reloaded, Beacon too broke through the gate. The starter had him in hand and he did not get loose but they had to close the get and adjust him back...the damage was done, he smashed his nose against the metal. After the race he had a pool of blood in his nose. We quickly scoped to make sure it was not a bigger problem . It was not, it was from the start. Having blood in your only breathing canal also did not help his race. We also be making a jockey change, while the ride was not bad he did not listen to instructions. He was told two things (through a translator) only whip him left handed and tuck him right behind the leader. The leader got lose and Beacon was 3 lengths back he kept whipping him right handed, never switch to his left hand. The horse lugged in closer, almost hitting the rail. eventually beacon was able to switch leads but if he whipped left handed Beacon would have switched leads much sooner. The trainer was not happy and wants to be someone a little more experienced on his back (i.e. Stewart Elliot)

All of this gives me hope...and tell you the truth pick up a 2nd place check and breeders awards and keeping the condition is not all that bad.

I think I'd have a hard time in a partnership. Probably as many unknowns as for a given horse. I mean, how much do the others actually know about horse racing? Where does the horse have his/her best chance. The class ladder, proper distance, etc.
Wouldn't it be better to let the trainer handle that aspect? As far as the rider not listening to your instructions, I'd find another boy too. Can you imagine if he/she was riding one of the top horses for one of the top trainers and he/she didn't listen to instructions. You'd never hear the end of it. I'm wondering if some of these jockeys have their own class ladder as far as who they're riding for. If so, what an insult. Anyway, I hope things get better. Whatever decisions are made in the future, it is best not to run the horse over his head.
You know this. Maybe the others don't.

Does each owner have a say in the next race? Do you all look at the condition book and pick out a few that may work then discuss the options or does the trainer make the decision for you?

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May they all come home safely!!!

sound-The trainer has a problem with some of the top jocks with ego's...if you are a nothing trainer they will always think they know more. So our trainer seeks out jocks who will listen. If you are a pletcher, you dont have these problems but for many trainers they do.

Ron- As for our involvement in decision making. It depends on the group. Our managing partner is somewhat of a vocal pain and puts pressure on the trainers. Many trainers don't like this (and the best wont take owners like this at times but if you have a good horse all trainer will learn to deal), it is a give and take in different spots on where to put the horse but usually our information comes from the trainer so we usually agree on what they want to do . It is a fine balance, for us and as long as our managing partner has a say I will make sure i do too. If I dont like it I can vote by taking my money elsewhere....but tough decisions it comes down to a couple voices and that is our managing partner and trainer .

Other issues on who to breed too, might be a group decision it all depends on the one of many issues you face how you handle.

When joining a partnership it is your decision as an owner to determine how active you wish to be....after all YOU are paying the bills so ultimately you are the boss.