Horse Racing questions and answers

[Snowball]

Did you folks see Michael Buffer at the Preakness? IMO, about 2 sentences of him is awesome. But several minutes seemed painful.
I don’t know you guys. I’m really worried about Md. racing as we move forward. I will get to discuss this with a new friend I made who is the chairman of the racing commission fairly soon.
A very knowledgeable man who has been in racing for a long time. I’m hopeful for success but have to admit I am nervous about the future. I do know he will do everything he can to keep it viable.

Im not from the area, but I was disappointed to hear that they will be consolidating Laurel and Pimlico into the new Pimlico only.
I don't think the problem has anything to do with horse racing per se. It has to do with lack of "affordable housing", and the real estate values of where these tracks around the country are located, especially those in residential areas. The astronomical real estate values make it very tempting to cash out rather than commit land for tracks. Plus, there's the older (still only a couple decades) problem of casinos taking over where both horse and dog tracks used to be.

The way things are today, it is more possible than ever to bet online and use all the information and video feed which an OTB provides. Of course, it's not the same as being there, but for the vast number of casuals, unless the wife or buddies want to go, you're (our) desires as active handicappers can feel like solo endeavors. Anyway, it is good to see some younger interest in the sport, and I expect this to stay good, but the physical imprint of tracks probably isn't going to grow, maybe ever. I'm thankful that Fanduel supports the industry and I hope that doesn't change. I have come to rely on their channel (formerly TVG) for live races (better than watching a computer screen), and also FS2 has been contributing, but they have more commercial interruptions.

[JBEX]

so if we go by about 1.5 secs or 7 lengths then you would add 11 points to his 98 beyer giving him a very respectable 109 ..if you factor in cruising to the wire way in front that might lower it to 106-107 ..he ran a 108 in the santa anita derby so that falls in line nicely with this adjusted effort .. these are very solid figures for a 3yo at this stage

think this is too generous .. 4 +/- more like it to me

[JBEX]

army mule saturday



churchill 1 @ 12:45
#6 shewontbudge (7-2)


churchill 7 @ 3:50
#1 wisconsin gal (15-1)





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[str]

army mule saturday



churchill 1 @ 12:45
#6 shewontbudge (7-2)


churchill 7 @ 3:50
#1 wisconsin gal (15-1)





.

Shewontbudge looks like she fits in that race. I can't say I really like her but you know she will be trying.

And poor Wisconsin Gal.
You know she will give her all. Now if her trainer only had something to give when it comes to choosing races, things would be just fine. And if it is the owner choosing the races, , shame on that trainer for tolerating it.
I guess another blood and guts 5th for her today?

[JBEX]

Shewontbudge looks like she fits in that race. I can't say I really like her but you know she will be trying.

And poor Wisconsin Gal.
You know she will give her all. Now if her trainer only had something to give when it comes to choosing races, things would be just fine. And if it is the owner choosing the races, , shame on that trainer for tolerating it.
I guess another blood and guts 5th for her today?

agree with you on both horses str ..if WG could get 2nd or 3rd would be very impressed with the quality of this field

[JBEX]

agree with you on both horses str ..if WG could get 2nd or 3rd would be very impressed with the quality of this field

or maybe should be viewed in a different way ..we like AM to exceed pp expectations,did win at this track as a 2yo and finished 2nd at this level at kee 2 back .. not the most ridiculous thing by any means .. would feel better about it if she was rested instead of going to ny and returning in 2 weeks

[str]

So my last thoughts on the Preakness are as follows.

Should there have been a DQ in the race ? My opinion is No.
Should any riders have been asked to review the films with the Stewards. In my opinion , Yes. The winning rider should have been asked to explain what happened. Unless he told me something I have not considered, I would have given him days for that incident.
Reason being, this time next year when the riders show up to ride in the Preakness, they will show up with the mindset that what took place in that race is Ok. It is Not ! But what else are they supposed to think if there was no problem with what happened?
Riders are like little kids when it comes to this stuff. Behind closed doors most would admit that.

It is not impossible to fix this however and Adam , the chief steward knows exactly how to deal with this. I would bet a nice chunk that he goes to the jocks room before the races start next Preakness day and warn all the riders that what happened last year will not be tolerated moving forward. Adam actually did that a few years ago after an incident in the Derby and it worked. I would love to have a bet on if he does it next year. If he drops by the reunion next year in April, like he did this year, I’ll ask him.
He is a sharp guy and he does get it.

That’s my take.

[str]

In a discussion about the Preakness and the no change or penalty in the finish or to any riders I had this back and forth with someone. I thought I would share it for you all to see.




Him: Yes, the people who bet on him should get screwed, but it wasn't unnecessarily. It should be because the horse/rider broke the rules.

You shouldn't adjust the outcome based on the bettors. Why have rules?

So you can cheat?


ME: If the penalty was to be issued, why involve the betting public when the horse to be put up was clearly beaten?

It wasn't like those others involved were going to catch the eventual 2nd place horse. So DQ' ing the horse does exactly what? Obviously the horse was the best horse in the race.

Give the rider days but don't DQ a horse that was clearly best and put others up that clearly were not.

Don't screw the public. Give the rider days . That's my take.



Him: Its a little thing called consistency. Either you have rules or you don't.


Me. Being consistently wrong is ridiculous. Rules can be seen and judged with different interpretations and penalties. There is no reason to DQ the horse .
He was the winner and no other horse was going to win that race on its own effort ,bump or no bump.

Penalize the guilty party, in this case, the rider.
Just because a rule has been judged a certain way for years doesn’t mean it was judged as well as it could have been. That’s how I see it.



Me following up :

I thought I would add something to this:

For many a decade before I was born and the number of decades I have lived, horse racing rarely took into consideration the people that make all this work. The customer.

Many a rule was made to police and regulate the game but do any of those rules recognize and consider the fans, who without them there would be no revenue to allow the game to function? The answer is very close to, if not , No.

Consistency is needed in all sports for understanding the rules but horse racing better recognize those that support it in a hurry.

I spent my entire career stabled in Md. I ran out of town sometimes but not too often. I left the game for reasons not pertinent to this story but since leaving I have been able to clearly see where racing had and in certain circumstances still does fail the customer. Maybe being a little inconsistent and changing the narrative somewhat is what is required to help recognize that you don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
Just my opinion.



Question for everyone:

Wouldn't you guys be all for this? Please let me know if you think I am missing something.

Thanks

[Madison]

Str, you are incredibly well spoken for a person who spent a large portion of their life in a barn. Where were you educated?

Also, the volume of your typing. Personally, I failed typing despite being top of my class and circa mensa. How can you pen so much thought?

Wishing you and yours a great holiday weekend.

Gotta go now and see if I can dredge up a winner. LOL.

[Madison]

Str, or others, would appreciate thoughts on Tip Top Thomas today. BEL R3 #4.

Seems to me I've seen him more than 3 times. Last was his first since 10/24/24.

You might notice a few familiar names in his prior starts as well.

Kind of how I handicap (by sight) but watch his first start 8/24/24. Watch the run from the horse that ran 4th. You may remember him. I added him to my stable that day as one to watch as he matured and the races got longer. Watch the head down drive in the last eighth or so.

[str]

I’m sorry Madison, I am unable to look at your inquiry today.
I thank you for the kind words and will respond soon

[str]

It is with a heavy heart that I tell everyone that Christophe Clement has passed away at the age of 59.
I am stunned. I only met him once about 11 years ago but that was all it took to realize what a talented and special human being he was.
Wow. What terrible news.
Some people we meet just have “ it”. He was one of those few.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/trainer-christophe-clement-passes-at-59/

[Madison]

59. Oh my, hopefully a typo. Feeling older and older.

Seems like he lived a wonderful life, unfortunately way to short.

[JBEX]

he certainly did a great job with deterministic along with countless others .. one of the best in his profession in my opinion and passed way too young .. will be missed

[JBEX]

army mule ..monday



mth 3 @ 1:54
#6 mission first (15-1)



churchill 5 @ 2:45
#8 hope restored (4-1)



baq 5 @ 3:06
#6 ferris muler (15-1)




lone star 11 @ 7:37
#4 us army (20-1)