tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266573065584680131.post2639958761049748595..comments2023-05-23T06:58:05.579-04:00Comments on Fugue for Tinhorns: What a difference 100 years makesGlenn Cravenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09760553404742644042noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266573065584680131.post-34186408701240238682010-08-17T11:06:41.774-04:002010-08-17T11:06:41.774-04:00Thanks for the correction, Teresa. I should have j...Thanks for the correction, Teresa. I should have just said "during the Saratoga meeting," because it did cross my mind to wonder. ... Accuracy without specificity.Glenn Cravenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09760553404742644042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266573065584680131.post-30485353016289898332010-08-17T09:23:11.467-04:002010-08-17T09:23:11.467-04:00Thanks for the mention, Glenn. One note: the 1910 ...Thanks for the mention, Glenn. One note: the 1910 meet was scheduled for 21 days; three days were added to the end of the meet to make it 24. Saratoga wasn't six weeks way back then, making Novelty's accomplishments all the more noteworthy.Teresahttp://www.brooklynbackstretch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266573065584680131.post-74841962391154762922010-08-16T22:39:54.021-04:002010-08-16T22:39:54.021-04:00Drugs, particularly Lasix, may indeed be partial r...Drugs, particularly Lasix, may indeed be partial responsible in terms of associated water weight loss, as are the attitudes of American trainers and their training methods.<br /><br />In Australia, where Lasix is forbidden and horses run drug free, it is not at all unusual to see top horses run back quickly. For example, top middle-distance runner Rangirangdoo ran 5 races from February 6 to April 17 this year, with about 2 weeks between each race. He won the G2 Expressway S. (1200m, or 6 furlongs) on February 6, followed by a second-place in the G2 Presentation S. (1400m/7f) on February 20. On March 6, he finished second in the G1 Chipping Norton S. (1600m/8f), followed by another second in the G1 Ranvet S. (2000m/10f) on March 20, and then a victory in the G1 Doncaster Mile (1600m/8f) on April 17. Except for the Expressway, each race had fields of 11 or more, including 20 in the Doncaster (my point there being it's also not like these American graded stakes with small, even overmatched fields which quality horses should easily be able to win). If you examine Australian trainers, they have no problem, if a horse is healthy, running them back again and again, even true stayers (over 12 furlongs). I also blame the advent of the Breeders' Cup for seriously limiting racing of top horses; the point, like in the case of Sidney's Candy, is to do just enough to get them to the "big" race. How silly when any little thing could set them back, or prevent that run. If they are healthy, RUN!<br /><br />Another difference: in Australia, horses run in barrier trials against one another, not timed workouts and they are fewer and far between. Why must trainers have their horses crank out bullet works? Aren't they leaving it on the track a tad soon? Steve Asmussen is one who likes modest workouts and it works well for his horses. If you see a bullet from one of his horses, beware!<br /><br />Also, in Australia, many times horses aren't stabled at a track where they are basically confinded to a stall most of the day, but at trainers' facilities/farms where they can get far more diverse exercise, such as running up and downs hills, as well as on sandy beaches and even in surf. One of the only trainers in America that I can think of with a similar approach is Jonathan Sheppard with his PA farm, and we know what a miracle worker he is. Cloudy's Knight?Valerie Grashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02696887655473752690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266573065584680131.post-4648485854433302312010-08-16T19:46:59.462-04:002010-08-16T19:46:59.462-04:00It's no wonder that Novelty was so sound. He w...It's no wonder that Novelty was so sound. He was sired by the mighty Kingston. 138 starts from ages 2-10, 89 wins (the most of any American racehorse), 33 places, 12 shows. Kingston was a good 2yo, the best 3yo of his crop, and stayed in top handicap company for the rest of his long career. He won at just about every distance offered, from 5 furlong sprints to heat races, and retired as the all-time leading money earner. He led the sire list twice. <br /><br />If a horse like Kingston were racing today, I imagine he'd be retired after 2 or 3 stellar seasons, and get less than half of those starts per year. I believe that today's Thoroughbreds have the potential to be legends, even better than the horses of the past, but modern training is holding them back.Miss Woodfordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266573065584680131.post-62268165801822788442010-08-16T19:34:14.323-04:002010-08-16T19:34:14.323-04:00Very good topic of discussion. Now I'm not a h...Very good topic of discussion. Now I'm not a horse doctor or anything close but logic tells me that maybe the reverse is true from the thinking of trainers. If pro football or basketball players, for example, played a game every 6 to 10 weeks and went out for a jog once every 4 to 7 days, I would have to believe we would see a whole lot more injuries. In most sports the players that are active on the playing field as well as off are less apt to be injured. Just a thought, Glenn.... I know if I stop exercising on the eliptical for about 7 days, I feel weak and out of shape but I'm not a young thoroughbred... more like an eighteen year old horse. My point is that maybe it would be good for a young colt to get out and race every other week. And just how long does it take for a horse to heal 3 to 6 days? NFL players have to get ready in 6 days or less, why not a horse? Anyway good point for discussion... where's a horse whisperer when you need one?<br />BobThe Track Philosopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05754510181537292542noreply@blogger.com