As the work week approaches and the weekend comes to a close, I thought I’d share a couple of tidbits courtesy of Ron Correll over at Tracksideview.com that I found rather interesting.
Source: http://articles.tracksideview.com/2008/06/28/what-do-you-have-to-say.aspx
Ron and company are looking to hear from racing fans what their opinions are on several hot button issues that have popped up recently. Namely:
- If you were the owner of Curlin, with big plans mapped out for the remainder of 2009, would you move him to another barn in the event that Steve Asmussen draws a lengthy suspension? If yes, to what trainer would you move him?
- What one change that is the control of horse owners do you wish would happen to improve your enjoyment of horse racing?
- What is your opinion of federal regulation of the sport?
Regarding Curlin, I responded that it would be nice to see either Ken McPeek or Helen Pitts get a shot to train the super-colt should Asmussen serve a lengthy suspension. It was McPeek after all who “found” the colt for $56,000 at the auction. McPeek has since returned to training horses and has put on quite a show thus far this year. Pitts is of course famous for having trained the colt through is early setbacks (calcium deposit in his hoof, sore shins) and got him prepared for a smashing 3 year old debut - a debut so impressive that Jess Jackson arranged to buy him immediately afterwards. Obviously it would be optimal to see Curlin continue down the path he’s on, as Asmussen and his staff haven’t made a wrong move with him since the Haskell last summer. If Jackson had to go elsewhere - my vote would be for McPeek or Pitts.
As far as changes that horsemen have the power to make, I’m all about getting rid of as many drugs as we can. I say copy the systems of Europe and Australia so that horses worldwide get a level playing field in terms of care and safety.
Lastly, with respect to Federal regulation - I’m one of those types that doesn’t like the Federal government poking it’s nose around anywhere. I highly doubt the motives of our elected officials in even the recent hearings on Capital Hill were anything but taking advantage of an opportunity to grandstand. The real answer to me is that the game has to govern itself. Something has to be done that gives more central authority to the NTRA over the individual stats and other conglomerations. The NTRA needs to have the control capabilities that the commissioner’s of the NBA and NFL enjoy.
Anyhow, that’s my take. If you’ve got an opinion on these matters I’d highly encourage you to stop over at Tracksideview.com and sound off.
While you’re there, check out a little heart-warming tidbit to help start your week on the right foot. It seems that Lael Stables and Michael Matz are busy training a 2-year-old brother of Barbaro named Nicanor. Can’t wait to see that guy hit the track. It also brings me special joy since they are training at Fair Hill - which is almost within sight of the house I grew up in. Of course, Barbaro trained there as well - which is one of the things that first drew me to him.
Hope you enjoy, and don’t forget to look for Curlin’s first turf workout this week at Churchill. What are the odds that I might post something about that? 1/9? 
keven; stay by your computor this evening i`m going to give you and all a great tip on 6f turf racing. i`m am now and always have made $$$$$$$ on this therory……..glc
can’t wait to hear it buddy! Always glad to hear money making tips!
kevin and all; sunday they ran 2 6f sprints on the grass. i got both races real good neither horse was a favorite but both were locks in my mind.
both were first time turfers that had been losing ground sprinting on the dirt but had good numbers in speed figures.
race 5=i`llthinkofsumthin==12.60=5.50
race 8= gold vendetta=19.80=9.00
what make the 2 horses interesting both have great sprint turf numbers tiger ridge 40.9% ….glcin a sample of many races 18 sprint wins and 44 total turf wins. gold fever 43.8% with 7 turf sprint wins and16 total turf wins.
i get this info from breedingwinners.com free
the key from my study is most of the horses on the list should be showing they don`t sit down for the drive on dirt. thats the ones that win at an alarming rate go back and look at the forms on those horses and you will see.
kevin and all i failed to mention tiger ridge and gold fever were the sires of the winners. ignore the glc in the middle im not a great typer.
Very intersting. I usually pay quite a bit of attention to horses coming from the turf and running on dirt. Looks like I need to pay a bit more attention to the reverse.
I’ll have to check out this breedingwinners site -could be a gold mine of information.
kevin it is a good site they break out a lot of sire reports on firsters and distance i print there reports out every week. 40 years of playing horses and still learning. its the best mind game going. to do this game at a profit is the best and most rewarding thing i have ever done in my 66 years. hope i help you all…..glc
Kevin,
Thought you would get a chuckle out of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh32PePVGBs
Bangtails!
oh my that’s priceless! Ole Moe has burned me before at Pimlico…that blasted bangtail!
I’ve obviously got nothing on “psychic Goofy” as a handicapper.