Here we are on the eve of the greatest gift giving day on the calendar. A day where it is said, it is better to give than to receive.
That being said, I would like to share with my readers my very own list of gifts to the horse racing community.
Appropriately, I start with,
SANTA ANITA - I give a 2010-2011 season of immeasurable success.
Traditionally the start of the racing calendar in California, the day after Christmas will see Santa Anita begin it's 74th racing season. This meeting will most certainly attract as much attention, if not more, than any of it's other 73.
This year Santa Anita will usher in a new/old surface. They will race on a traditional dirt track for the first time in three years following a "spotty" trial with a synthetic main surface. In doing so, the eyes of the racing world will be on the Arcadia track to see if it can return even partially to it's former glory. Here's hoping it will!
To The CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD - I give improved, and state of the art testing facilities that most certainly will be overworked this winter.
"Super Trainer" Steve Asmussen recently announced his intentions to bring thirty horses to race at Santa Anita this winter.
This is in addition to the So. Cal. mainstays Doug O'neill, Mike Mitchell, and John Sadler who regularly push the CHRB to the limits. These trainers have somehow gained all the power, and have the upper hand when it comes to staying one step ahead of the spineless CHRB policing tactics.
To the HORSE RACING INDUSTRY itself - I give two gifts. (After all, it's a big industry). First, I give a united governing body.
North American horse racing is in desperate need of organization, and leadership! For too long, there's been a mentality of reaping without sowing. Each year the harvest is getting leaner, and leaner because of it, and this mindset MUST stop before the sport implodes on itself like a black hole.
Impossible as it may seem, the only way I see racing getting back to where it needs to be, is by having a strong, trustworthy individual from within the sport rise up, and get the industry to follow.
In organizing, the industry can attain mass appeal by showcasing a more superior product instead of the watered down, mediocre product that is currently being displayed.
Second, I give racing a Triple Crown winner. Thirty two years is more than enough time to wait, and a TC winner would give racing a "shot in the arm" it so desperately needs.
To the European racing dynasty that is COOLMORE - I give a top stable jockey to replace Johnny Murtagh.
For years, The Coolmore racing conglomerate headed by MESSRS. John Magnier, and Michael Tabor has dominated the European racing scene. Along with their North American presence, they have become arguably the most powerful racing team in the world. Challenged only by the Dubai based Godolphin organization.
Their recent division with Johnny Murtagh leaves one of the top jobs in the industry up for grabs. Names like Ryan Moore, Christophe Soumillon, and Pat Smullen have been bantered about. All fitting of an organization of their stature.
To jockey DANIEL SANDOVAL - I give recognition and success.
A name most racing fans will be unfamiliar with is that of rider Daniel Sandoval. Unheralded, and vastly underrated, my hope is that by this time next year, he will become a rising star in the world of racing.
He is currently based at Los Alamitos Race Course in California. While riding a handful of thoroughbred, and quarter horse races a night, he has quickly impressed me with his ability. He looks well balanced, and multifaceted in his race riding.
As time goes by, he is starting to receive mounts at the "big" meetings in So. Cal. Even though the So. Cal. circuit is often a graveyard for even the most talented riders, the arduous task of riding against some of the best in the world can sometimes benefit a talented rider. Assisting in the honing of his craft.
And finally, last but definitely not least. To my girl. BIG Z! The one and only ZENYATTA - I give a happy, successful retirement. With a happy life of motherhood..........oh yeah, and a Horse Of The Year trophy.
I know some may feel she doesn't deserve it this year. I know the arguments for both sides. I can honestly say I'm not sure if she deserves it this year or not. My heart wont allow me to ponder that argument. The one certainty is that it would be a far bigger injustice for her to have never won a HOY, than for Blame to be denied this year's trophy.
To all my readers I wish a very merry Christmas, and prosperous new year. Let us all remember why we celebrate this time of year, and the glorious birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
God bless you all, and see you in 2011
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Euphoria To Devastation Quicker Than A Zenyatta Flash
Many of my "Quarter Pole" followers have asked why I waited a full month before updating my blog.
Well, after much persuasion, and a full month has past, I am prepared to share the devastating, and sometimes comical reason why.
I offer you a video of my family and I, as we watch The Great Zenyatta suffer her first, and only defeat in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic.
Enjoy!
Well, after much persuasion, and a full month has past, I am prepared to share the devastating, and sometimes comical reason why.
I offer you a video of my family and I, as we watch The Great Zenyatta suffer her first, and only defeat in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic.
Enjoy!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Rules Of The Game
I was up late tonight reading up on the latest information in the world of horse racing. I was routinely browsing my favorites, DRF.com, Equidaily.com, etc., and I came across a story that both puzzled, and angered me.
It was a link on Equidaily that originated from the New York Post website. The link was entitled "appeal abuse".
Surely, most of my readers are quite aware of my necessity to click such a link. The current state of "system abuse", and further lack of responsibility by the human elements of racing, are a common topic of the "Quarter Pole".
The story was a two paragraph story within a full column/blog about the New York racing scene. The paragraphs centered around New York Jockey Maylan Studart. Studart, being a "journey-woman" for less than a year, with moderate success, was suspended fifteen days for an incident that took place in late spring. A suspension she successfully delayed until this winter.
When first reading the story, I was taken back at the length of the suspension. I wondered how odd it was that I hadn't even heard about an incident that, given the penalty, must have concluded with multiple injuries, or deaths. Thankfully, not so!
While reviewing the race in question, I witnessed a rider make an extremely careless, yet strategic action, that was a catalyst to her 41-1 long shot winning the race. Not unlike the example I address further down.
I have no issue with the length of the suspension. As most of you already know, I'm a "hang-'em" type of guy. The more we hold the humans of our sport accountable for their actions, the better it will be.
I just wonder where all those apologists are now. You know, the ones who are always in the streets crying, and clamoring for justice whenever any rider receives a three to five day suspension. Other than this column, half a year later, I haven't seen one single dot of information about this story. I certainly haven't seen anyone come to her defense with the vigor and hyperbole allowed to other riders. Who can forget the apocalyptic reaction to Paco Lopez's five day suspension during the Monmouth summer meet. To hear him, and his lawyer speak, you would have thought the moon would have descended into the seas, and the sun would burn to the Earth's core if P.L. would have had to serve his suspension when it was handed to him this summer.
Unfortunately, the apparent double standard given to jockeys isn't even the most disturbing issue arising from this incident. All too often, the horse's number is allowed to "stay up", and the stewards will deal with penalizing the jockey, at a later date.
In doing so, it badly disrupts the integrity of the whole parimutuel model. By allowing a horse to keep their placing, it's basically allowing the rider to do whatever is necessary to win a race. From a parimutuel, and purse standpoint, the owner, trainer, and jockey loses nothing.
A perfect example was this year's Cinderella stakes at Hollywood Park. Rafael Bejarano rode the 3/5 favorite She'll Heir. While racing along the rail most of the way, he found himself trapped at the head of the lane, and would have had a difficult time finding room in time to win. Instead, he made a very aggressive, and dangerous move to force his way out into a tiring horse, causing that horse to take up dramatically, and lose any chance she had at a better placing. Quite similar to the action taken by Miss Studart.
In doing so, he received a suspension (only five days), but the horse was allowed to "stay up". The owner, trainer, and jockey were all allowed to keep their purse, and parimutuel winnings. I'm sure that in the minds of the stewards, the horse he interfered with would have finished well beaten either way. Maybe so, but by separating a rider's actions and a horse's placing, it tears at the integrity of the game, and perhaps even larger, it becomes a safety issue for the horses that can never be tolerated.
Every horse player knows about poor trips, and racing luck, and have come to live with it. That's just part of the sport. Sometimes your horse is much the best, but doesn't get the trip. Other times, you beat a horse that was much the best, but had a horrendous trip. It may not seem true sometimes, but it usually evens out. It's one of the many things that makes this game so challenging, and provocative to us.
As long as the rules are the same for everyone, we feel protected. Once it starts turning into a wild west rodeo, and riders from a parimutuel standpoint are able to use any strategic means necessary to win, we begin to lose that trust. We can never allow the rules of racing to become so blurred that the public no longer feels protected.
In this instance it was an eighty one thousand dollar stake race. What if it happens in a million dollar race? What does a rider have to lose? He makes room by forcing his way out into a tiring horse and wins. The stewards set him down for five days. Does it really matter at that point? He's already collected his hundred grand from the purse. Five days off for a million dollar race? For most jockeys, I believe it would be more than a fair trade off.
(I've included a video of the Cinderella Stakes, and you can go to calracing.com and search race replays for the horse "Auric Girl", or you can find race 6 from Belmont Park on May 31st through another replay website to see the race.)
It was a link on Equidaily that originated from the New York Post website. The link was entitled "appeal abuse".
Surely, most of my readers are quite aware of my necessity to click such a link. The current state of "system abuse", and further lack of responsibility by the human elements of racing, are a common topic of the "Quarter Pole".
The story was a two paragraph story within a full column/blog about the New York racing scene. The paragraphs centered around New York Jockey Maylan Studart. Studart, being a "journey-woman" for less than a year, with moderate success, was suspended fifteen days for an incident that took place in late spring. A suspension she successfully delayed until this winter.
When first reading the story, I was taken back at the length of the suspension. I wondered how odd it was that I hadn't even heard about an incident that, given the penalty, must have concluded with multiple injuries, or deaths. Thankfully, not so!
While reviewing the race in question, I witnessed a rider make an extremely careless, yet strategic action, that was a catalyst to her 41-1 long shot winning the race. Not unlike the example I address further down.
I have no issue with the length of the suspension. As most of you already know, I'm a "hang-'em" type of guy. The more we hold the humans of our sport accountable for their actions, the better it will be.
I just wonder where all those apologists are now. You know, the ones who are always in the streets crying, and clamoring for justice whenever any rider receives a three to five day suspension. Other than this column, half a year later, I haven't seen one single dot of information about this story. I certainly haven't seen anyone come to her defense with the vigor and hyperbole allowed to other riders. Who can forget the apocalyptic reaction to Paco Lopez's five day suspension during the Monmouth summer meet. To hear him, and his lawyer speak, you would have thought the moon would have descended into the seas, and the sun would burn to the Earth's core if P.L. would have had to serve his suspension when it was handed to him this summer.
Unfortunately, the apparent double standard given to jockeys isn't even the most disturbing issue arising from this incident. All too often, the horse's number is allowed to "stay up", and the stewards will deal with penalizing the jockey, at a later date.
In doing so, it badly disrupts the integrity of the whole parimutuel model. By allowing a horse to keep their placing, it's basically allowing the rider to do whatever is necessary to win a race. From a parimutuel, and purse standpoint, the owner, trainer, and jockey loses nothing.
A perfect example was this year's Cinderella stakes at Hollywood Park. Rafael Bejarano rode the 3/5 favorite She'll Heir. While racing along the rail most of the way, he found himself trapped at the head of the lane, and would have had a difficult time finding room in time to win. Instead, he made a very aggressive, and dangerous move to force his way out into a tiring horse, causing that horse to take up dramatically, and lose any chance she had at a better placing. Quite similar to the action taken by Miss Studart.
In doing so, he received a suspension (only five days), but the horse was allowed to "stay up". The owner, trainer, and jockey were all allowed to keep their purse, and parimutuel winnings. I'm sure that in the minds of the stewards, the horse he interfered with would have finished well beaten either way. Maybe so, but by separating a rider's actions and a horse's placing, it tears at the integrity of the game, and perhaps even larger, it becomes a safety issue for the horses that can never be tolerated.
Every horse player knows about poor trips, and racing luck, and have come to live with it. That's just part of the sport. Sometimes your horse is much the best, but doesn't get the trip. Other times, you beat a horse that was much the best, but had a horrendous trip. It may not seem true sometimes, but it usually evens out. It's one of the many things that makes this game so challenging, and provocative to us.
As long as the rules are the same for everyone, we feel protected. Once it starts turning into a wild west rodeo, and riders from a parimutuel standpoint are able to use any strategic means necessary to win, we begin to lose that trust. We can never allow the rules of racing to become so blurred that the public no longer feels protected.
In this instance it was an eighty one thousand dollar stake race. What if it happens in a million dollar race? What does a rider have to lose? He makes room by forcing his way out into a tiring horse and wins. The stewards set him down for five days. Does it really matter at that point? He's already collected his hundred grand from the purse. Five days off for a million dollar race? For most jockeys, I believe it would be more than a fair trade off.
(I've included a video of the Cinderella Stakes, and you can go to calracing.com and search race replays for the horse "Auric Girl", or you can find race 6 from Belmont Park on May 31st through another replay website to see the race.)
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