PETA or Not We Need Fixing

Entertaining is probably not how the “powers that be” in racing would describe the ongoing discussions over PETA’s alleged “undercover investigation” of trainer Steve Asmussen’s operation and allegations of animal abuse and misdocumented workers.  However, I have found it to be just that.  There are so many sides to this issue I can’t keep the arguments straight.  So I made myself a list in order to keep things straight in my own mind.

• If someone took 9 hours of video of me over the last 8 months and wanted to dice me to pieces in a 9 minute, heavily edited synopsis, they certainly could.  And I’m pretty sure that I could do it to anyone reading this;
• How in the world did a groom get access to fancy dinners and so much “inner circle” stuff?  Just wondering…
• Scott Blasi has a foul mouth;
• How in the world did the Zayat’s NOT know about Nehro’s feet?  Seriously.  Do they NOT review the bills and see that the horse was costing them more than double on shoes than anyone else in the barn?  This didn’t raise questions?  Just who handles the day to day business operations over there and what is it are they doing?  While appearing “admirable” it appears a bit disingenuous given how outspoken and active they are;
• Where is the Department of Labor?  Hard to believe we haven’t gotten a whiff of an investigation on the whole fake names and SS numbers debacle.  There’s a shoe to drop there and don’t kid yourself, it’s a big one;
• There is a camp that wants Asmussen to move his top trainees, Tapiture, a top Derby contender and Untapable, a top Oaks contender, to other trainers so that he won’t be a disruptive influence in the biggest 3-year old races of the year;
• There is a camp that feels that the best thing that can happen is that Asmussen not only stays in, but wins the races since all the “unwanted” attention will force the industry to clean itself up;
• Horses shouldn’t have pulses in their feet and if they did it would be a sign of trouble – something PETA conveniently leaves out and actually lets the inference be that it’s quite the opposite.  Crap like that weakens your case;
• Injections occur and they are not always bad.  Much as an elite human athlete may get cortisone shots to help treat a joint condition, many an equine athlete receives an injection to treat passing maladies as well.  Because it comes in a needle does not make it bad. We never know what is being injected and why – and that’s how PETA likes the public to view it.
• Just because the messengers CLEARLY have an agenda and are, in my opinion, over the top loons, doesn’t mean that there aren’t things wrong in our industry that need to get cleaned up.  Pronto. 

WHATEVER side (and there are several) you come down on, the sport desperately needs two things: universal medication rules and a national governing body.  I really feel for trainers that come up to Minnesota from states that may not have as strict medication guidelines because it really changes the playing field for them.  And I’m not talking about what’s illegal, but those medications that are legal.  There is a lot more to prepare to move from one jurisdiction to another than just lining up trucks.  Changing a horse’s entire regime may be necessary.  Again, I’m not judging good or bad, but it is different.  Uniform rules would take out this one huge headache for trainers and make the transition from state to state easier.  Now, they’ll need to come together on race day Lasix…

While states may give way on universal medication rules and standards, I find it hard to believe that any of them are going to want to give any ground on the regulation.  States have been regulating racing since the beginning and there is a lot of revenue that is associated with it.  Perhaps state racing commissions become unnecessary with a National Horse Racing Commission or the local entities exist more to police nationwide regulations and racing infractions?  It’s a bit more complex than calling for a commissioner, but I think it’s doable if someone/some group would sit down and do it – at least develop the framework to get it started.  But then who will be the first to offer to subjugate them to it?  Which state would lead the way?  Which governing body would be the first to back it?

There needs to be collaboration, cooperation and, to paraphrase everyone’s favorite Vulcan, a way to make sure that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.  Our sport needs it.

Breeders' Cup - Day 2

Day One was a mitigated disaster: yeah there wasn’t a single win on the card for me but my top choices did finish 2^nd three times and 3^rd twice over the course of the six races.  If I was a show better this would be outstanding; as a win/place better…not so great, but mitigated rather than unmitigated. The biggest disappointment on the day for me was the Ladies Classic where I had longshot Include Me Out in the exacta with winner Royal Delta.  Joe Talamo had Include Me Out in good position but the one thing I was afraid of, that she just wasn’t as good as the top horses in there, panned out as she was outfinished for the second spot by the very classy My Miss Aurelia.  It was a microcosm of a tough day.

BUT…there is Day 2.  As a horseplayer we always live to fight another day and “another day” is today.

Juvenile Turf

Several really nice graded stakes winners in this field including Noble Tune (Gr 3 Pilgrim), I’m Boundtoscore (Gr 2 Summer), Balance the Books (Gr 3 Bourbon) and Joha (Gr 1 Breeders’ Futurity).  You can even through in European Group 3 Solario Stakes winner Fantastic Moon and Group 3 Acomb Stakes winner Dundonnell into that group.  There are also a variety of running styles in here but only one of the really classy horses that I would consider good early speed and that’s Joha.  He just missed wiring the field in the Grade 2 With Anticipation before his gate to wire score in the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland. 

My Choice: Joha

Filly & Mare Sprint

Groupie Doll.  Moving on…

Dirt Mile

This turned out to be quite the fun little race.  Fan favorite Shackleford will lead the field to the post after a couple of disappointing efforts post Met Mile triumph.  Emcee, just on his outside has only failed to record a triple digit Beyer number in only two of his career starts.  Mystic Lake Derby runner up Delegation will try dirt for the first time off back-to-back wins over the artificial surface at Woodbine and Jersey Town comes in after surprising just about everyone (including Shakleford) in the Grade 1 Kelso with ease.  Shackleford and Emcee both like being on or near the led early and, unfortunately for them, so do Fed Biz, Delegation and perhaps even Second City.  All that speed could set things up for the improving Jersey Town to surprise them again.  I don’t think that Jersey Town is the best horse in the race, but ask The Fugue if the best horse always wins…

My Choice: Jersey Town

Turf Sprint

Not a fan of this race, though it does appear to be a bit wide open and could present a decent wagering opportunity if you really have a strong feeling.  This is one race I do not have an overly strong feeling about, but may jump on Unbridled’s Note if the price is right.  Steve Asmussen has Great Mills in to oush along the pacesetters like California Flag (if I DON’T pick him, he wins – so be forewarned) and Renneesgotzip.  Normally you could throw Bridgetown into that mix but in the Grade 3 Woodford he sat off the pace a bit and came charging late to blow past Great Mills to win that race.  The hope here is that Bridgetown, second off a layoff, feels a bit more keen than last time and tries to take to the lead.  Unbridled’s Note won’t be too far behind and will pick up the pieces.

My Choice: Unbridled’s Note

Juvenile

The Juvy looks like it comes down to undefeated Todd Pletcher trainee Shanghai Bobby and Bob Baffert trained Power Broker who appears to have figured out this racing thing in the Grade 1 Front Runner.  Power Broker is going to want to sit off an early pace while Shanghai Bobby will want to stay close to, if not on, the early lead.  Power Broker’s connections have Title Contender breaking from the one hole and, while certainly not out of his depth in here, will certainly ensure a solid early pace to run at.  Will Bobby take the bait and go or be able to sit off of Title Contender’s flank until it’s time to run?  While Shanghai Bobby is stretching out, the distance should not be an issue while Power Broker has a win at this distance AND over this course.  This one is a toss up: do you prefer the local angle or the undefeated colt that has yet to throw in a clunker?

My Choice: Shanghai Bobby (but narrowly)

Turf

A nice mixed contingent in the turf with some very nice Euros squaring off against an American entry that is seemingly getting stronger with every start.  A nice colt prior to trying the turf, Point of Entry has turned into a monster once he was introduced to the sod by trainer Shug McGaughey.  Carrying the fabled colors of the Phipps stable, Point of Entry is on quite a roll, winning his last five races: four graded stakes, the last three of which were grade ones.  His Beyer numbers have increased with every race during that streak and he’s come from far back and from just off the pace to tally the wins.  Prior to shipping he threw two bullet works and is as sharp as can be heading into the biggest race of his career.

My Choice: Point of Entry

Sprint

There is surely enough early speed in the race to ensure a fair trip around the oval which really leads you to two horses: Amazombie or The Lumber Guy.  Do you believe in the local prep and Amazombie needing that last after a layoff to sharpen up for this one or do you buy into The Lumber Guy’s amazing 110 Beyer in the Grade 1 Vosburgh off the bench?  The Lumber Guy had been training superbly before leaving New York and sprinting certainly seems to be his forte.  Amazombie, who I’ve heard has been called the best dirt sprinter in North America, emerged from seclusion for 1:08.3 to take the Bing Crosby over the artificial surface at Del Mar before heading back to get ready for this race.  He certainly loves being home in California and if he did indeed need one race before the Sprint, Amazombie will be tough to beat – especially with all time BC winningest rider Mike Smith aboard.

My Choice: The Lumber Guy (BUT…and this is a big but here…should the locally prepped horses earlier on the card keep outperforming their Eastern counterparts, I’ll be on Amazombie here)

Mile

US v. Europe.  The best turf miler in America, Wise Dan, takes on the second best turf miler in Europe, Excelebration.  In his last 10 starts, Excelebration has won 6, placing in three and third in the other.  The winning horse each and every time?  Some git named Frankel!  But does losing to a super horse by  combined 16 lengths automatically make you a world beater as well?  I think if they were Affirmed/Alydar type duals then I think the case would be stronger.

Wise Dan has won four of five starts this year and narrowly missed an undefeated season when he just couldn’t get there in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster ...on dirt.  Wise Dan has been remarkably consistent this year winning each mile race with ease and recording solid Beyer figures in each race. 

Both horses need some speed to run at since neither is going to take this field wire to wire.  A horse that will try is Obviously.  Ridden by Joe Talamo, Obviously has won three straight in frontrunning fashion, including the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile and the Grade 2 Arroyo Secco Mile over this very course.  There isn’t a whole lot of speed in this race to go with Obviously so Talamo will gun to the lead and try and hold on the charge.  If he can succeed at slowing down the middle quarters, it will be tough for the top two to catch him since he is really no slouch himself.

My Choice: Obviously (he might not be the best, but he may get the best trip)

Classic

I know it’s been said a million times already, but this Classic is the deepest I’ve ever seen.  Every entrant is a graded stakes winner: many multiple and most just this year.  Of Flat Out, Alpha, Fort Larned, Game on Dude, Richard’s Kid, Ron the Greek, Mucho Macho Man and To Honor and Serve – one of them has to finish eighth!!  We could all make a case for just about any horse in here winning and I could agree with the justification.  I need to make a pick here because I have to, but there is a very, very good chance that I’ll be watching this one without a ticket in my hand.

My Choice: Game On Dude (going with who I think is the best horse – but this will be a test for sure)

In the Hello Race Fans/Breeders’ Cup Fantasy Capping Challenge I need a high priced exacta, so my contest pick will be the exacta box of Mucho Macho Man and Fort Larned (I TOLD you, I need a high payer).

Best of luck everyone!

It's A Wonder We Don't Eat Our Young

"Dear Jess Jackson, You are a complete wuss!! Thank you for, yet again crushing the hopes of racing fans everywhere. Please grow some testicles and run your horse against me like you promised America you would. Thanks!!- Z"

- Status of "Zenyatta" on her Facebook fan page after the decision not to run Rachel Alexandra in the Apple Blossom

"Rachel is overrated....a horse racing exemplification of an air-ball....overrated....chonk chonk ch-chon-cha-chonk-adonk-overrated tw*t..."

- Comment on a Yahoo! Sports article on the Apple Blossom


I was searching for the nasty comments regarding Zenyatta, but they were too far back for me to dig up. But make no mistake - they were there. That she was a 'false' champion for never leaving home. That the Moss' were scared to run her on dirt or way from home. That she was simply the marvel of the synthetic surface and weak home state competition. It went on and on as well.

This should be a time that we look at the racing industry and think "Damn, are we lucky!" Instead, the blessing we have received by having two of the greatest distaffers of all time racing during the same time period has turned into a degrading and disgusting attempt to try and discredit and belittle each other's camp.

My choice for Horse of the Year last year was Rachel Alexandra. I simply thought her campaign criss-crossing half the country, beating not only her class, but 3-year old colts and older colts as well, was a better body of work than Zenyatta. My clear choice for moment of the year was Zenyatta's win in the Breeder's Cup Classic. I still don't think that I have ever seen a greater performance in my life. Secretariat in the Belmont may be close, but it was different: it was clear domination. Zenyatta's win was surreal.

The more I read, the sadder I get. Instead of being appreciative of what we were - and hopefully will continue to - able to witness last year it has become imperative for "fans" to tear down the other side. Right now it's Rachel and her connections' turn to be lambasted for being "afraid". Last year it was Zenyatta and her connections' turn for the very same reasons.

How about we admit, first of all, that these are racehorses, not machines? They do have to be fit and ready. They do have preferred surfaces. They may not fire every time out on the track. It is a very real possibility that Steve Asmussen may be right (horrors!) that Rachel was not fit and ready to go. Is it THAT important to be committed to the April 9 date or is it MORE important that the athlete is at her best and ready to go? I would think that Asmussen and John Shirreffs know more about their horses than we do. I'm willing to take them at their word.

Secondly, shut the hell up with the bashing already. I made my case for horse of the year last year in this space and on the radio show. I also prefaced every comment with, "I think that Zenyatta is amazing and it would not break my heart if she won". In my opinion, the important thing - the overwhelmingly important thing - is that I was lucky enough to be able to see the two of them run. Some of the greatest performances in racing occurred last year and were provided by these two. We are tremendously blessed to be graced by BOTH of these racehorses. It's time each "side" recognized the attributes of the other.

Finally, I want these two to meet - preferably more than once. I would like to see them go three or four times over dirt, synthetic and maybe even a romp over the grass. I do NOT want to see them in a match race. I also want both to be sharp, sound and at their best. At the end of the day, our sport is about winning. That is why we run the races. It's commendable to be passionate about your favorite horses. But be passionate about YOUR favorite horses, not against a competitor.

As racing fans we've had a lot to moan about the last few years: lower handle, dismal sales numbers, higher takeouts, bankruptcies and the closing of landmark racetracks to name a few. We have the opportunity to enjoy two of the greatest to ever step on a track. Don't lose sight of the beauty in front of you and get dragged down into the mire. There is no shame in admiring them both. In fact, it may be a bit helpful for the sport if we did. Racing could use this to bring more appeal to the masses and showcase two great champions. Let's take all that energy and channel it into something positive for the sport, not yet another self-inflicted black eye.