Ow!

Are they getting more fragile? Is it the breeding? Is it the training? Is there a trend towards a weaker, more injury prone group of performers?

No, I'm not speaking of the horses. In defense of them, there seems to be a lot of jockey injuries recently. Bejarano, Jara, Velazquez, P Val(?), etc. Maybe we should analyze their family trees, their training schedules and the types of floors they walk on at home. Perhaps we need to install Poly-Jock. It may actually be mandated in California by the time you read this.

More trouble for Maryland

Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association has announced changes to eligibility criteria for Pennsylvania-bred registration in the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund, generally extending its residency requirements for foals or broodmares.
Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association President Peter Giangiulio said when slot machine operations begin this later this year, they will help the state's breeders' fund grow to more than $20-million.

"The purpose of the revisions is to require a greater commitment to Pennsylvania commerce from participating breeders whose stock is not regularly boarded in the state," Giangiulio stated.

These new regulations will continue the exodus from Maryland. A number of large operations have already moved north to the greener pastures of Pennsylvania. The Maryland horse racing industry is in a horrible downward spiral, and does not appear to be making any efforts to change.

Anna Napravnik Update

It has been a while since we have posted about our favorite jockey Anna Napravnik. Anna (previously known as Rosie), is once again atop the jockey standings at Laurel Park. Through 9/23 she has a 20% winning percentage, and 47% in the money. Her closest rival, Ryan Fogelsonger is 5 wins back, and has about $80,000 less in earnings. Baring injury or illness, Anna should once again run away with the Laurel Park jockey title. Two other jockeys in the Laurel colony that you should keep an eye on are Dane Kobiskie, and Jonathan Joyce. I have been watch these two guys recently, and they are both the real deal. Kobiskie is an aggressive rider that does not give up. He will ride the horse from gate to wire. He is the kind of rider that owners love. He will hustle a horse up from 6th to 4th in the final 16th, unlike the jockeys that accept mediocrity. Joyce is hardworking jockey who seems to always have his horse in a good position.

It's a Rich Mans Game

As it often does, today's water cooler talk turned to horse racing. A co-worker and I both enjoy the ponies, and find a way to turn any topic into a discussion about racing. A third co-worker chimed in with the comment "Horse Racing is a Rich Mans Game". I thought for a few seconds and asked....."Are you crazy"?

I know that a lot of people feel that horse racing is a game for the rich. They hear about $16 million yearlings, and the famous people that are buying horses. No one ever points out that you can by a nice horse at action for as little as $1000. Some you can buy for less behind the sales pavilion. When they think of Stallions, they think Storm Cat and AP Indy, not the local talent that stands for $3000 or less. I have even encountered wealthy people that think you need many millions to buy into horse racing at even the lowest levels. The general public views horse owners as "sliver spoon" snobs.

I responded to my co-worker with a few questions? How much is the least expensive ticket for a Ravens game? The answer, $85. I told him that it was $2 to get in to Laurel Park, and that parking is always free. I asked if he had and friends that owned a sports team? He then smirked at me because he knew where I was going with my questioning.

We as fans need to help change the views of the general public. The public sees Merv Griffin, Jess Jackson, B. Wayne Hughes. They do not see the working man who bought the $1200 two year old, or the $3500 claimer.

Superstars

The horse industry needs superstars. We need superstar horses, trainers, jockeys, and owners. You may say that we already have them, and I would agree. However, the rest of the world (people who are very casual fans, and people that can become fans) is yet to meet the superstars. Every year, the world meets a new superstar on the first Saturday in May. This year it was Barbaro. Unfortunately, until we have a Triple Crown winner, the Kentucky Derby winner will fade off the sports pages in early August. Then the Breeders Cup gets about ten seconds of coverage, and that is all the world sees about horse racing.

In order to reach out to a new and younger fan, the industry must show off its superstars using new and modern methods.
I know that jockeys don't really get vacations, but it would not hurt a jock like Julien Leparoux to hire a public relations, and entertainment agent. The public could really grab on to him if they met him on late night talk shows, and entertainment venues. The same goes for owners. If the owners had representation, they could line up interviews for the high profile type. The morning shows, the late shows, the news shows. The public would eat up Merv Griffin if they saw him as a horse owner. The Jacksons rarely gave interviews after the Barbaro accident, but could have won support for the rest of there stable.

Now for the trainers.......These guys are the ultimate in sitcom characters. Todd Pletcher, D. Wayne Lucas, Contessa, Trombetta, Leatherbury. You can't create better characters than these guys. Love them or hate them, people can really latch on to them. Trainers have the same appeal as college football coaches. They hang around for ever, and people love to root against them.

To sum it all up.....If the NTRA spent a few bucks on marketing the people, things could turn for the best!

The MALL at Laurel Park

We don't have slots at our racetracks in Maryland, but wewill have a huge mall. The more I think about this, the more I like it. This will make it much easier to have a "family" day at the track. According to all the talks, this mall will also include 10 new restaurants. I invasion this scenario in my future. Wife....Lets go to Laurel Park for the day. You can take the older boy to the races, and I will take the younger one shopping. We will meet after the 6th race for a bite, and then we will all go back to the grandstands. Shopping will not increase purses like slots, but it will make it a lot easier for me to escape to the track with the family. I think Magna may have a good idea with this one!

Riding Out

The Bloodhorse - Final Turn on August 29th shares a great story by Wayne Sweezey. Wayne explains a story about a jockey giving up four strides before the wire. I see this all the time, and it drives me crazy. So many jockeys stop riding when they realize that they are not going to win, or not coming in the top three.

I often wonder why owners don't kick the crap out of a jockey after the race. Many times, the difference between fourth and fifth place is over $1000. To an owner, that means a huge difference. Sometimes you see the fans giving it to the jockeys after the race (especially at Belmont), but rarely do you see a trainer yelling at a jockey after a race. Everyday, at every track you see jockeys giving up early.

As fans of the game (and sometimes bettors) we should hold the jockeys accountable. When at the track, give the jockeys a bunch on stuff after they give up on a race. I hope the trainers hold these guys accountable also. And while I am on this topic.......Pedro Monterey Jr, you owe me a bunch of money!

Back to Belmont

It was a beautiful day for my return to Belmont on day 2 of the meet. 80 degrees and three Grade 1's. I took a few interesting pictures that you will not see in the mainstream media. I hope Mr. Paulick stops by our blog to see what many of our group are trying to tell him.

Here is Barclay Tagg giving Cornelio Velasquez his instructions before the $500,000 Man o' War Stakes.

Here is Barclay explaining to Gretchen and Roy Jackson why Showing Up couldn't do better than 3rd in the above-mentioned race

And here is Julien Leparoux. As he was heading out between the 9th and 10th races, he was willing to autograph everything you put in front of him and take pictures with anyone who asked.

Unfortunately, the picture of Julien and me came out too fuzzy to publish. My friend had a little difficulty operating my camera. Julien was such a class act. He is just what racing needs.

Goodbye

Often the stories we write are about graded stakes, successful sires, and outstanding performances. Tonight, I want to share with you the story of a great sportsman and fine gentleman.

When we first met, he was a small modestly bred yearling colt. The friendliest, sweetest horse on the farm. The kind of horse that would walk a hundred yards across his field to say hi (even if I forgot to bring carrots that day). As he trained for his racing debut, he continued to grow as an athlete and a gentleman. Never rank, and always ready to breeze. His racing career started in November of his 2 year old year (2005). He ran twelve times before his start on Tuesday night. He jumped out of the gate first and ran in the lead pack. With one furlong to go, he started to make his move. As his legs powered forward his heart began to weaken. His driving strides turned to a weak gallop as the field pulled away from him. Doing what he was bred to do, he galloped to the finish line. After crossing the line, the jockey jumped off his back, knowing that something was not right. Only after everyone was safe and he could harm no other, he fell. Like a good sportsman, he left it all out on the field. On that cool September night, your body lay lifeless on the track in that small Pennsylvania town.

You taught me so much about this crazy game.

I always like the races, but you showed me how to love the horses.

Thanks Buddy.....I will miss you!

Funny Cide - Great for the sport

The Woodward (G1) at Saratoga featured six graded winners among the field of ten. But in the paddock the press was clearly focused on the 2004 Derby and Preakness winner. Everyone was watching Funny Cide while he was being saddled. The crowd along the paddock rail gave the former champ a round of applause as he headed to the track and the fans on the frontside also warmly applauded as Funny Cide was announced in the post parade.

When was the last time you saw a seen like this for a horse? When they retired Cigar? Maybe....

People love this Gelding. Why? Because he is still racing. He won the hearts of America when he won the Kentucky Derby, he solidified his place when he won the Preakness. And how can we forget his owners, and Barclay Tagg. This is a great story, and it only gets better. So big deal he does not win all the time, or some of the time. We still love him!

People flock to see Funny Cide run because he is a name and a horse that people can recognize. The world saw Afleet Alex 3 times. By the time they knew him, he was in the breeding shed. People come out to see familiar names. They go to the ballpark when Bonds comes to town, and they go to the track when horses like Funny Cide run.

So thanks to that undescended testicle for giving us all a horse to root for.

Check out: www.FunnyCide.com

The Green Monkey

When agent Demi O'Byrne purchased the Forestry - Magical Masquerade colt on behalf of John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith the world went crazy. $16 million for an unproven 2 year old?

While on the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, my 3 year old son decided to play the race horse game (the old carnival game where you roll a ball into a set of holes and your horse moves along the track on the wall). After about 30 seconds, the bell rang, and the young colt by Baloo was the victor. The attendant came over and told my son to pick a prize from the bottom row. Without hesitation my boy yelled...."I want the Green Monkey!"

Well, like Demi O'Byrne, my 3 year old son also has an eye for talent. Though the investment in our Green Monkey was just $1, I think we may get more enjoyment out of ours.

Stay tuned..........Lets see who makes it to the track first!