Lethal White Over-riding: Fatal Flaws in American Horse Racing Industry
Written by Mr.Prospector on 2009/03/25 – 3:04 pm
For Mr. Prospector’s article about the Greyhound Racing Industry, please read “”
Please refer to Mr. Prospector’s latest post: About the pressure racing journalists and fans were able to bring to bear on the Greyhound Racing Industry – to achieve much needed reforms and to institute humane managment of the racing stock.
By: Admin, Lazy R Ranch
= 30 =
Hi Mark,
Attached is a new Mr. Prospector opinion. [see below]
On another matter: I know you are familar with racing in the Far East.
I have an abundance of racing prospects that would suit buyers in such places as Hong Kong, Singapore, etc. but have not been able to reach such individuals.
If you have any ideas it would be appreciated.
Regards,
Mr. Prospector
What is wrong with American Thoroughbred Horse Racing Industry?
addendum 2: (Two year olds) x (running two-furlong races) = ( too, too dumb )
Dateline: 4 February 2009; 20:28 pm PST
Author: Mr. Prospector … still prospecting for Thoroughbred Gold, in them thar’ Californy Hills.
You’ve seen those highway sig alert signs hanging over your head as you race above the posted limit with not a care in the world haven’t you?
Those signs, often posted during holiday rush periods, say speed kills!
Speed is a horse killer!
Every phase of training thoroughbred racehorses in the United States borders on putting as much speed work into them as they can literally stand. All done with the stop watch in hand during morning workout sessions in near race time.
Far too many trainers and buyers are impressed by “The Green Monkey” syndrome.
You remember the Monkey?
In a two-year-old trial this unlucky colt mesmerized a couple of individuals with abundant money and matching egos with a scintillating under 10 second scamper for a one furlong work. One egoist beat out the other and coughed up $16M.
Once the Monkey realized real races were longer than one furlong he pitched tent and is now camped out as a non-performer standing at stud.
What caused those zany egoists to wage a bidding war up to $16M for that two-year-old?
Speeeeeeeeeeed!
Those slick maneuverers were impressed by a one furlong drill.
Can you believe it?
The Green Monkey had more than his share of setbacks while in training and it can only, repeat only, be attributed to his stupid quarterhorse-like drill and training, before the big wasteful spenders got into their bidding tussle.
I do not know when The Green Monkey was actually 24 months old but the chances on that dreadful day he worked so fast with big spenders on hand clutching their check books this poor creature was not a two year old in actuality but only because of the insane worldwide rule that makes every horse a year older come January 1. Even if on that date they are 19 or 20 months old.
That is why I have long been a proponent that no two-year-olds races be scheduled anywhere in the northern hemisphere until September 1 each year.
But who’ll listen to anything sane?
With today’s emphasis and demand for allout speed on racetracks in general,
where gaining position is so vital,
thoroughbreds being pushed to extreme limits is the major cause of eventual breakdowns.
Sure, there are flukes such as Barbaro’s ill-fated and unfortunate first steps out of the gate that awful Preakness day.
Stepping in holes on the track can’t be foreseen.
Oh, you don’t believe speed kills?
Tear down the highway at 85 miles and hour on a motorcycle and something, anything gets in your way.
Call the coroner.
Driving fast and recklessly in a car.
Same results.
Push a thoroughbred racehorse to its extreme limit.
Well, you get the point I hope …
From what I see the huge emphasis about pushing for speed,
and this primarily can be attributed to dirt racing,
is to get position.
What causes that huge demand for “getting position?”
Two things stand out …
One, homestretches at most major racetracks are in the 990 foot vicinity. That is far too short.
Two, tight turns as found at the vast majority of major tracks mean you’ll get shut off if not in position.
Let’s look at the first point:
In commonly run six furlong races , gunning out of the ‘chute down the backstretch is a necessity to get position. It is why such races post much faster times for the first two furlongs than the last two. By the time horses reach the head of the homestretch most of them are staggering around the corner at an angle Olympian Usain Bolt leans when running a world record in the 200 meters.
He can handle it on somewhat spindly legs as the poundage he carries is minute in comparison.
A thoroughbred, especially a two year old, puts a terrific strain on his four legs; ankle sizes much the same as Bolt’s, but balancing a vast difference in weight.
And we expect that horse not to suffer some leg injury?
Do it often enough and something is guaranteed to give,
and usually it is one of the front legs.
~ Rail Hugging ~
Definition of :Rail hugging”: the art of TB Horseracing in the United States of America, today.
Why tracks have such wide homestretches is beyond me when 99% of all races on dirt end up down on the inner rail.
Look at the photo [below] of horses rounding the final turn of a race.
Jamaican Bolt [2008 Olympic Gold Medalist] would make it comfortably,
… but the angle these horses come around the corner puts an unbelievable strain on their slender underpinnings.
If they are two year olds with knees and ankles still not 100% matured the risk is higher and often devastating.
My entire argument is that two-year-olds need to have a chance to grow up.
They are not getting it as owners “need to recover their investments.”
Good show, huh?
~ Mr. Prospector
- 30 -
[ed. note. You betcha good show, Mr P.
It doesn't take much to beat these horseracing geniuses pair of twos.
You might want to point out to them their gluteous maximus, they are probably having a hard time finding that, also.
~editor
post instructions: run the presses
]
[...] About Thoroughbred buyers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkmenistan, Australia … Written by Mr.Prospector on 2009/02/05 – 12:12 am Hi Mark, Attached is a new Mr. Prospector opinion. [see below] On another matter: I know you are familar with racing in the Far East. I have an abundance of racing prospects that would suit buyers in such places as Hong Kong, Singapore, etc. but have not been able to reach such individuals. If you have any ideas it would be appreciated. Regards, Mr. Prospector In reference to below [ CITED from source: = http://www.horsesense.ws/SeattleSlew/2009/03/25/lethal-white-over-riding-fatal-flaws-in-american-hor... [...]