I found this story today about I'll Have Another, It makes me really mad!! Especially the last paragraph. Thoughts comments????
http://www.yahoo.com/_ylt=Al3.pTjUVh2sYgJCE4XQYuibvZx4;_ylu=X3oDMTZ2Zzhh...
I believe the entire scenario was planned from the beginning by the owner and trainer, because they knew the horse could not perform well at 1-1/2 miles. This way the stud fee will be higher than if he lost the Belmont. JMO.
Dusty
Home of top breeding shed horses...
http://www.horseracegame.com/community/content/294474/voodoo-fever
http://www.horseracegame.com/community/content/398263/practical-advice
http://www.horseracegame.com/community/content/679541/not-so-simple
First off, I don't have any respect for Pat Fartme...lol
Has he seen the scans?? I too had my doubts about the suddeness of the injury and the trainer being "drug" O'neil didn't help matters. But, the judgement is way off base. The guy is an ass in my opinion. He doesn't have any more knowledge than you or me concerning this. His 'theory' is just that, THEORY. Something to badmouth this sport. What about Baseball and steroids??? Did I forget about football? Sorry.
Let's get some uniform rules for all racing, and have strict enforcement. Till then, don't whine his 'possibile' reasons for the scratch. At least the horse isn't hurt and he's still alive. They could've ran him if they wanted, might've pulled up, maybe not serious, then retire and say it was the track. To me the guy is a pompous fool with little knowledge if any about racing. What's the percentage of violations in the total realm of the US racing industry? That would be a more relevant figure. Not just say, oh...he's had several violations. I'm not sticking up for Doug or Dutrow, but where are the relevant facts? Tell people that before you just trash the whole sport. I have my doubts, as I've said. but that guy is a phallus!
Don
I did see two different veterinarians on tv from Belmont Park confirming the injury and agreeing with the decision to scratch him from the race. They said that it could take as long as one year to heal and that he'd most likely be able to race again.Hearing that, it does make sense to retire him to the shed.
I hate to admit it but Don made me pull out my Large Print webster Dictionary to see what Phallus means......I now know what it means but can't repeat it here in laymans terms because I dont want Don to get banned from the site...LOL
Actually, I think he's ok since he didnt call anyone on the site a real Phallus....
Always Remember That A Bad Day At The Races Is Better Than A Good Day Anyplace Else !!!
I think this is ludicrous. What trainer would scratch a horse with a chance to win the triple crown unless he had a true injury. A tendon injury is serious. I dont know how bad it was, but if was bowed than that would take awhile to heal and chance of reinjuring is strong. Dont think that was the case. Horses are very fragile and can get hurt easily. With the type of equipment they have diagnose these injuries they can tell before it gets bad. Back in the day he probably would have ran because it would have gone undetected
I believe the injury to be real. But both Dutrow and O'Neal give the sport a black eye. But they are not the only ones. Anybody remember Cole Norman.....lol
Not sure what you are angry about. I was in and around harness racing for 25 years. My best friend has been a trainer for over 35 years. I have hunfreds of stories. Most would give a black eye to the sport. Much of the reason why in 1996 I said enough. I don't want to be part of this anymore. In Michigan, I saw a trainer get banned for life only to later somehow not only get back in, but become President of the Michigan Harness Horseman's Association. Really??? Or a trainer/driver who owned a farm in Michigan get busted for smuggling horses from overseas, stashing them on his farm, plus an assortment of drugs and syringes on his farm. He was banned in Michigan, sent to jail. Raceway Park in Toledo allowed him to drive and was driving there on a work release program. Are you kidding? He could not drive the last race every night because he had to be back in jail by midnight. So if you are angry because somebody called horse racings integrity into question, save it. They have done it to themselves.
I remember Cole Norman. He raced in my neck of the woods. He had some good med. Not good in a good way. His horses made the lead and never quit. Does anyone know if he did time or not for running over and killing a lady while he was high on Pain killers. Please pm me with any info. I believe the women he killed was related to Pres Clinton. It happen in Arkansas. By the way their is cheating in every sport. As long as money is involved, they will try to cheat
Looks like Cole served nine months.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/2009-01-29-3275214880_x.htm
I tend to believe that it has everything to do with money. I'll Have Another is worth a huge amount of money as a stud horse in breeding and the long 1 1/2 mile Belmont race could easily have caused a possible break down where the animal would have to be destroyed.
Or simply put a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.