Five Days in July

And JFK thought 10-days in October were rough. It's been quite the year already but the last five days have been something else.

July 2

Horrible breakdown at Canterbury Park that resulted in the death of a racehorse and severe injuries to jockey Scott Stevens as well as major back injuries to Paul Nolan and Don Proctor. The single greatest factor in the severity of the accident was that the horse on the lead was the one that went down. I don't care what your reaction time is, at 40 mph on suddenly spooked and scared 1100 pound racehorses when the horse in front of you breaks down the result is in God's hands. It was a miracle that no jock was killed and that fourth jock in accident, Dean Butler, was able to walk away with minor injuries.

I'm not going to preach about the perils of race riding (I've done that already) but they are folks with families and livelihood and the Don McBeth Fund was set up years ago to help injured jockeys and their families. Rachel Blount in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune had a nice column on this accident and the work of the Fund. Try to ignore the many ignorant trolls that commented on her work. David Miller over at View From the Quarter Pole has a good take on this as well.

July 4

Tabby Lane gets railroaded in a $10,000 Starter Allowance. It was a race she should have been competitive in but she was not. I was in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan visiting family for the 4th and was unable to watch the race live. One of our partners texted me the details of the race and it wasn't pretty. Bernell and I talked and have some ideas for changing things up for her, though she made need to get away for a few months and then we can start from scratch. While not heartbreaking, it certainly was disheartening. I still have been unable to bring myself to watch the replay.

July 6

I was meeting one of our partners at the track in the early morning hours to visit One for Zetta (as well as Tabby). It was his first time on the backside and it happens to be his first time owning a racehorse. We get there and Zetta seems relatively antsy in comparison to when I usually go by and see her. Turns out she's going to gallop in an hour so we stick around which is no real sacrifice for me. She heads over to the training track and Frankie warms her up and turns her to pick up her pace. No sooner does trainer Christine Riddle get the words "She's had some problems at this point over the track" out of her mouth than Zetta decides that she's all done, puts on the breaks, rears and goes, as my mom would say, ass over tea kettle. Thankfully horse and rider are fine but Zetta is free and she's going home and tears out for her barn. There are few things scarier than a horse loose on the backside and, to my horror, it's my horse!

Zetta gets back to the barn and Frankie and Chris settle her down, dust her off and up he goes to get her back on the track for the work. She needs to learn that her antics don't reward her with a bath, lunch and her stall and they handle it like champs. There is no retribution, just a patient return to the training track where she's taken around three times (looking like a horse that's never seen a racetrack rather than one that worked like a champ through the gates just days before!!) and then Frankie patiently takes her to her problem area and moves her around and makes her stand still from point to point, all the while talking in her ear. I can imagine him telling her, "See, it's OK. Nothing is going to hurt you here." She leaves the track much more settled (and having learned a little something) but her connections a bit shaken.

Will all this work out? Of course it will. I look forward to the day when I write about the best five days that I've ever had racing. This game can take you to great highs but it also makes sure that it keeps you humble.

I Don't Know What to Expect; Accident Mars Canterbury Card Friday

How's that for honesty? Heading into Tabby Lane's race this afternoon I have absolutely no idea what to expect. If Andy Beyer was handicapping this race he would throw her right out immediately as a horse on the decline. To be honest, I would too. Since shipping north she's been seriously off form and there is no physical reason for it. As a juvenile she shipped from Florida to Ontario to New Jersey and back south again but maybe she got comfy in the five months she was there and isn't thrilled about being north again? We went over every possible angle we could think of and it all left us shaking our heads. So here we go again with what we thought was some class relief ($10,00 Starter Allowance) but turned out not-so-much.

1. Thelifeoftheparty (Rarick/Rivera) - Stomped Tabby by 12 1/4 when Tabs tried Canterbury for the first time. She hasn't run since that date and is using the race as a tune up for the $75,000 Claiming Crown Glass Slipper (I remember having that dream once...). 8-5 in the Morning Line and deservedly so.

2. Clever Thought (Van Winkle/Eikleberry) - Big win at $7500 followed up by a losing a head bob to Alacazar at $15,000. Will want to get out quickly and try and wire this field.

3. TABBY LANE (RHONE/BUTLER)

4. Lilys Shadow (Rhone/Arterburn) -Showed some speed early but faded. To be expected in the first back since late November. Should improve off of this effort and the switch back to dirt.

5. Alacazar (Kirby/Nolan) - As mentioned, a head bob winner last out after being eased the race before. Certainly seems sound as a pound after that effort.

6. Lil Dish (Oliver/Keith) - Runaway winner in a $7500 non-winners of 3 lifetime race last out, her form seems to be strengthening since moving north and should also be competitive in a closely grouped bunch.

If Tabby has shaken off what's been bugging her we certainly have a shot. Canterbury's handicapper mentioned on their website that she's been off form since shipping north and is better than she's showed. Probably the most succinct analysis of her experiences over the last two months. Maybe it's a form cycle issue? It could be between her ears but she shows all the signs of being a happy, well adjusted filly. She galloped like a champ the past two weeks and has show every indication that she is ready to go.

I wish I had sage words or searing insight. She's back on dirt, so that's good. She's going back to six furlongs, so that's good. Dean Butler has chosen to stay aboard her which I appreciate to no end. I can't be at the race due to family commitments in Michigan that day so the odds on her winning just improved again. I wish I had more to go on - all I got right now is hope and a prayer.

Stevens, Nolan, Proctor Hurt in Spill

Speaking of prayers, ours go out to the families of Scott Stevens and Don Proctor who are both still hospitalized after a terrifying spill at Canterbury Park on Friday evening. Stevens mount, Sombre, broke down on the turn for home setting off a chain reaction that took down four of the six horses in the field. Stevens broke his collarbone in two places, ribs, back and suffered internal injuries to several organs as well. Proctor remains hospitalized pending test results on his back. Today's DRF has the latest update. Dean Butler, who as you all know is our top jock, was banged around but able to finish the card and continue riding through the weekend.

Everywhere we look on Facebook and other places we see an awful lot of folks scrambling to help the equine athlete - which is important and long overdue. This accident helps bring into focus how much our human athletes endure to pursue their passion. Jockeys are the toughest, strongest athletes on the planet who are braver than many realize and the spectre of this type of accident hovers over them at all times. Please take some time and visit the Don MacBeth Memorial Disabled Jockeys Fund. There is a lot of wealth and glamor at the top end of this profession, but the majority of riders work very hard and at great risk (does an ambulance follow you around at work?) and only get paid when they ride. A career ending accident can mean a life of poverty and destitution. Visit the website, read up and keep in mind that there is a human element to racing as well.