It was a chalky Eclipse awards last night in Miami. There were no real surprises during the evening – including Kenny Rice’s horrible jokes – leading up to the Horse of the Year coronation of Zenyatta. That moment was a surprise for me. Racing has always had an “old school” mentality and art of that mentality is that awards and champions are decided on the track. Be it a nose or nine lengths, Blame won the battle on the track and I suspected that would carry over to the vote. As close as I thought the vote would be, it really wasn’t. Blame finished with 102 votes, Goldikova with 5 but the queen smoked them all with 128.
Some takeaways for me on the evening:
- Acceptance speeches for the most part were God awful with the connections of Dubai Majesty taking the cake;
- Omar Moreno was sincere and heartfelt when he said that winning the Best Apprentice award was the best moment of his life;
- Kenny Rice needs to go. His jokes were not only flat, but in several instances sexist. I’m not easily offended (I’ve been in racing and gaming for 12 years!) but he managed to do it. Second bad year in a row, time to move on;
- The Moss’ were as gracious in victory as they were in defeat;
- Al Stall, Jr., while clearly disappointed, gave an equally gracious interview at the end of the night.
- Marylou Whitney pinning the responsibility for OTTBs on the owners was only about 40% correct. As Teresa Genaro pointed out during the Thoroughbred Times live chat during the ceremony, Breeder’s play a large role in the proliferation of horses as well (percentages were mine).
I can’t let Mrs. Whitney’s comments go untouched here. I am sure that from her perspective owners should care for their horses from birth until death, but that is easier said than done. She deals in the blue bloods. It’s not often that you’ll find a Whitney horse running in a $5,000 claiming race at Beulah Park. When you are talking about claiming horses that may change hands a dozen times over a career, they are much tougher to keep track of. While you can stipulate on a horse’s papers that you want to be contacted if the horse is going to be retired/sent to slaughter, you are also relying on the integrity of that last trainer/owner to honor your request. As hard as it is to believe, there are some unscrupulous characters running around the racetrack and the draw of money now versus maybe a few bucks later is too much for many.
Breeder’s need to step up and more minor fees need to be assessed that go to the retirement of racehorses. Hopefully the recession has stopped the practice of overbreeding racehorses. The decreasing foal crops should at least allow the supply to start running more in line with demand in a few years.
In addition, support your local retirement charity whether you are a fan, owner or just plain horse lover. So many wonderful groups exist around the country from CANTER to ReRun to Neigh Savers, Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue and even right here in Minnesota where we have the Minnesota Retired Racehorse Project. Pick your favorite and lend a hand.
Finally, there are some Blame fans that were clearly not happy with the outcome. As I mentioned yesterday, I would have voted for Zenyatta but I can certainly understand the sentiment: when you win on the track, that’s supposed to be enough. As many of Zenyatta’s other opponents have found out, against her your best is rarely enough. She is a deserving champion.
Congratulations to all the winner’s tonight. Enjoy the after party!
Showing posts with label Eclipse Awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eclipse Awards. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Horse of the Year
All the votes are now in and Horse of the Year is decided. We’ll find out tonight on TVG if Blame or Zenyatta will take home the hardware. I don’t have a vote but if I did my vote would go to Zenyatta. Last year I argued that Rachel deserved HOY because of her more rigorous campaign. It could be argued that Blame had the more rigorous campaign of the two this year. I know Zenyatta won all Grade Is while Blame did not and he even lost a race before their meeting. And I know it’s not Z’s fault that she didn’t face top notch competition in every race – she entered Grade I races and was there to be beaten. No one did. Ultimately, to me, the best argument for Blame is that he won the head to head meeting between the two.
What it comes down to for me are two things:
1. She brought so much attention to racing this year that there is no way to argue that she hasn’t done more for the game than any other horse this season – while winning every race save one, and;
2. The WAY she lost to Blame throws enough doubt into the equation so that #1 sways the case, in my opinion. She was phenomenal in defeat. If Blame had beaten her by two or three, I go the other way on this one.
Any number of Ifs and she wins the race and there is no discussion. I know that “Ifs” are part of the game and “Ifs” don’t matter, the results do. I understand that. But to me these two horses are equal. Run the race 100 times and it could be like flipping a coin. Zenyatta proved her greatness and I think the ancillary piece of what she did for the sport pushes her over the top. Again, Blame wins by more convincingly and this isn’t even a question.
However it goes, I’m OK with the result. Both horses had outstanding campaigns. I just shudder to think of the vitriol that will spew forth from the losing camp. My congratulations go to the winner, no matter who it is.
What it comes down to for me are two things:
1. She brought so much attention to racing this year that there is no way to argue that she hasn’t done more for the game than any other horse this season – while winning every race save one, and;
2. The WAY she lost to Blame throws enough doubt into the equation so that #1 sways the case, in my opinion. She was phenomenal in defeat. If Blame had beaten her by two or three, I go the other way on this one.
Any number of Ifs and she wins the race and there is no discussion. I know that “Ifs” are part of the game and “Ifs” don’t matter, the results do. I understand that. But to me these two horses are equal. Run the race 100 times and it could be like flipping a coin. Zenyatta proved her greatness and I think the ancillary piece of what she did for the sport pushes her over the top. Again, Blame wins by more convincingly and this isn’t even a question.
However it goes, I’m OK with the result. Both horses had outstanding campaigns. I just shudder to think of the vitriol that will spew forth from the losing camp. My congratulations go to the winner, no matter who it is.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Summer Bird Has A New Barn
A couple of hours ago, Tim Ice was fired as the trainer of Summer Bird by owner K.K. Jayaraman. Of course the Eclipse winning Summer Bird was only the top name of the Jayaraman Stable that was removed from Ice's care. Twenty four other horses were also taken from Ice and moved to trainer Tim Ritchey. In the Yahoo! Sports article, the reason cited by Jayaraman was "a lack of communication".
Admittedly, I know nothing about the circumstances surrounding the split, but it does open up a conversation about trainer communication and what is and isn't enough. I think a lot has to do with the personality of folks involved. A controlling person probably needs more care and feeding than a laissez faire owner. I fall somewhere in between myself. I have enough trust, faith and confidence in my trainers to let them do their job. By the same token, though, as a syndicator I have a responsibility and an obligation to make sure the partners in the horse are well informed of their progress. Part of my thought process when dealing with my partners is that the more involved in the process they are, the more enjoyment they'll get out of owning a racehorse.
At this point in our 2010 Claiming Partnership we have the money and now we're shopping. Not much to report on that front, but I sent a note out to the group anyhow on Friday just to let them know we're still looking. I actually feel guilty that I haven't sent anything out since then, but there really isn't anything new to report - and it's only been 4 days! Maybe that's a bit overboard, but the point is that you're better off being a little more communicative than less.
I try to set aside a set day and time to touch base with my trainer(s). I don't try and take up too much of their time, I just want to get a rundown on any aches and pains, how galloping has been going, any works the horse may have had and where we are pointing them for their next race. That's all I really need on a weekly basis. Of course that's pretty easy when you only have a handful of horses in training. What happens when I have 25? I have to say that I don't really know, though I'm looking forward to having that problem. I would think that more extensive communication would be required - possibly to the degree of receiving written updates on a regular basis. While it's hard for a trainer to find that kind of time, if you multiply a day rate of say $70 times 25 horses, I would think you'd make the time for someone paying you $1750 a day plus a cut of the purses.
Some trainers are of the opinion that owners are like mushrooms: just keep them fed, watered and in the dark. I don't know if Tim Ice is that kind of trainer. Some owners are overbearing, think they know better than the professionals they hire and change trainers like they change underwear. I don't know if K.K. Jayaraman is that kind of owner. I like to think that my position is a bit of the middle ground and I'm fortunate that my trainers are open to dialogue and discussion. I also like to think that neither of us would have it any other way.
Admittedly, I know nothing about the circumstances surrounding the split, but it does open up a conversation about trainer communication and what is and isn't enough. I think a lot has to do with the personality of folks involved. A controlling person probably needs more care and feeding than a laissez faire owner. I fall somewhere in between myself. I have enough trust, faith and confidence in my trainers to let them do their job. By the same token, though, as a syndicator I have a responsibility and an obligation to make sure the partners in the horse are well informed of their progress. Part of my thought process when dealing with my partners is that the more involved in the process they are, the more enjoyment they'll get out of owning a racehorse.
At this point in our 2010 Claiming Partnership we have the money and now we're shopping. Not much to report on that front, but I sent a note out to the group anyhow on Friday just to let them know we're still looking. I actually feel guilty that I haven't sent anything out since then, but there really isn't anything new to report - and it's only been 4 days! Maybe that's a bit overboard, but the point is that you're better off being a little more communicative than less.
I try to set aside a set day and time to touch base with my trainer(s). I don't try and take up too much of their time, I just want to get a rundown on any aches and pains, how galloping has been going, any works the horse may have had and where we are pointing them for their next race. That's all I really need on a weekly basis. Of course that's pretty easy when you only have a handful of horses in training. What happens when I have 25? I have to say that I don't really know, though I'm looking forward to having that problem. I would think that more extensive communication would be required - possibly to the degree of receiving written updates on a regular basis. While it's hard for a trainer to find that kind of time, if you multiply a day rate of say $70 times 25 horses, I would think you'd make the time for someone paying you $1750 a day plus a cut of the purses.
Some trainers are of the opinion that owners are like mushrooms: just keep them fed, watered and in the dark. I don't know if Tim Ice is that kind of trainer. Some owners are overbearing, think they know better than the professionals they hire and change trainers like they change underwear. I don't know if K.K. Jayaraman is that kind of owner. I like to think that my position is a bit of the middle ground and I'm fortunate that my trainers are open to dialogue and discussion. I also like to think that neither of us would have it any other way.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
"Welcome to the World Sophia! Eclipse Award?"
I enjoy the Eclipse awards like most everyone else in our business. I think they are an interesting barometer of the top flight performers in our industry and it's fun to see some recognition come our sport's way - even if it's only for a few moments...in industry publications...and nary a mention in the 'mainstream' press. But another event that occurred within a few hours of the awards sent me off on a tangent: the birth of my second cousin (if that is indeed what you call my first cousin's child).
First things first. Sophia Clara Pedigo entered this world about 1:30 AM Mountain Time. Born to my cousin Nicole and her husband, Kevin, she weighed in at six pounds eleven ounces. Mom and daughter are doing great. As a little girl, this kid doesn't know what she's in for. She has two older brothers and both of my biological children are boys as well as my stepson. In addition to being our first little girl, she is also named for my mother and grandmother. Spoiled does not BEGIN to describe her future! Neither can anything else, really. It's an unknown.
A few hours earlier, the stars of our sport gathered to receive their 'Oscar' or 'Emmy' equivalent (ESPY, maybe?). The famous gathered and the awards were handed out. IEAH was there, as was Frank Stronach picking up his yearly breeding award. Curlin and Zenyatta were rightly feted. Of the thousands of Thoroughbreds that race every week and jockeys that ride in anonymity and trainers that toil with these animals every day of the week and, yes, even we owners that run a handful of claimers, these were our champions. Allegedly the best of all of us.
I had written some time ago that this can be a trying business and there are no guarantees for anyone. That there is no 100% lock. No guarantee that money or breeding can buy. Yet the same folks win everything every year and the rest of us, well, we don't. My unscientific assessment? It's a numbers game. The more dough you have, the more chances you take and better shot you have. However, I digress. I look at those of us out here that run every day and try and make a go of it - and maybe even build something great - and I see parallels to Sophia's start in life.
She'll have advantages. Her parents aren't wealthy, but they are comfortable and will be able to give her a nice start. Her grandparents (my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Bernie) made the difficult decision to leave their home and travel 2500 miles to move where their grandchildren are, leaving all they know behind and starting anew. Quite a sacrifice. She'll be well fed, nurtured and loved. We'll all spoil her and her big brothers, though they won't know it for a few years, will watch out for her - probably too much for her liking. But there are no guarantees. No pat, 100% happily ever afters.
When we try and get a horse to the track, we encounter all of that. We nurture the best we can. We provide sound nutrition and exercise. We try and find the best vet care and a trainer that will bring out the best in our baby. We sacrifice as well. For those of us in the middle to lower range of the sport, this is not a cheap business, but we're chasing a dream and doing what we love. But, again, there are no guarantees.
Before you go crazy and think I'm nuts in comparing a human baby to our equine athletes, I'm not really. I'm more trying to point out that the canvas is blank when we start. We may all start in different places, but that's no guarantee of where we will finish. That Sophia's start in life made me think of all the owners and breeders out there that do what is best and right every day and achieve some measure of success. We all will not become presidents of corporations or of the US, but that doesn't mean we are not successes. We all won't win Oscars or ESPYs or other awards, but that doesn't mean we aren't winners. In my own case, Fizzy Pop probably won't win next year's Eclipse award for best turf horse, but he'll win a few races. He'll give the group some excitement and enjoyment. He's a good horse with a great personality. He's a success to us. Sometimes that's what you have to be happy about. That is also being a winner.
Now does all this mean I don't care if I reach the top? Now that is nuts!!
First things first. Sophia Clara Pedigo entered this world about 1:30 AM Mountain Time. Born to my cousin Nicole and her husband, Kevin, she weighed in at six pounds eleven ounces. Mom and daughter are doing great. As a little girl, this kid doesn't know what she's in for. She has two older brothers and both of my biological children are boys as well as my stepson. In addition to being our first little girl, she is also named for my mother and grandmother. Spoiled does not BEGIN to describe her future! Neither can anything else, really. It's an unknown.
A few hours earlier, the stars of our sport gathered to receive their 'Oscar' or 'Emmy' equivalent (ESPY, maybe?). The famous gathered and the awards were handed out. IEAH was there, as was Frank Stronach picking up his yearly breeding award. Curlin and Zenyatta were rightly feted. Of the thousands of Thoroughbreds that race every week and jockeys that ride in anonymity and trainers that toil with these animals every day of the week and, yes, even we owners that run a handful of claimers, these were our champions. Allegedly the best of all of us.
I had written some time ago that this can be a trying business and there are no guarantees for anyone. That there is no 100% lock. No guarantee that money or breeding can buy. Yet the same folks win everything every year and the rest of us, well, we don't. My unscientific assessment? It's a numbers game. The more dough you have, the more chances you take and better shot you have. However, I digress. I look at those of us out here that run every day and try and make a go of it - and maybe even build something great - and I see parallels to Sophia's start in life.
She'll have advantages. Her parents aren't wealthy, but they are comfortable and will be able to give her a nice start. Her grandparents (my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Bernie) made the difficult decision to leave their home and travel 2500 miles to move where their grandchildren are, leaving all they know behind and starting anew. Quite a sacrifice. She'll be well fed, nurtured and loved. We'll all spoil her and her big brothers, though they won't know it for a few years, will watch out for her - probably too much for her liking. But there are no guarantees. No pat, 100% happily ever afters.
When we try and get a horse to the track, we encounter all of that. We nurture the best we can. We provide sound nutrition and exercise. We try and find the best vet care and a trainer that will bring out the best in our baby. We sacrifice as well. For those of us in the middle to lower range of the sport, this is not a cheap business, but we're chasing a dream and doing what we love. But, again, there are no guarantees.
Before you go crazy and think I'm nuts in comparing a human baby to our equine athletes, I'm not really. I'm more trying to point out that the canvas is blank when we start. We may all start in different places, but that's no guarantee of where we will finish. That Sophia's start in life made me think of all the owners and breeders out there that do what is best and right every day and achieve some measure of success. We all will not become presidents of corporations or of the US, but that doesn't mean we are not successes. We all won't win Oscars or ESPYs or other awards, but that doesn't mean we aren't winners. In my own case, Fizzy Pop probably won't win next year's Eclipse award for best turf horse, but he'll win a few races. He'll give the group some excitement and enjoyment. He's a good horse with a great personality. He's a success to us. Sometimes that's what you have to be happy about. That is also being a winner.
Now does all this mean I don't care if I reach the top? Now that is nuts!!
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