136th Preakness Stakes up next: May 21st

[Glimmerglass]

Least anyone forgets a Magna bonus was paid out today - just not the mega one to Dialed In. Magna had a bonus tied to also-rans in the designed pre-races:

Shackleford earned $1.1-million for his owners, including a $500,000 bonus for running in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park and following up with a victory in the Preakness at Pimlico. Magna Entertainment Corp., which owns both tracks, offered the incentive. Romans earned an extra $50,000 bonus.

Another video replay version of the Preakness Stakes

Final equibase chart - Preakness 2011

As for the Derby and Preakness runners appearing in the Belmont that isn’t being ruled out

[Laurierace]

[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;5618787]
Looks like the perfect weather and Keagasus paid off for Magna and Pimlico although intoxicated people do not equal wagers. Still in a recession to land in the top 10 of all-time wagers is damn good

2011 Preakness attendance balloons 12.1% as handle dips 3.6%[/QUOTE]

Really? I am shocked by those numbers. The place seemed empty to me. There weren’t five people standing next to us when the Preakness went off and the infield was not crowded at all.

[Slewdledo]

@ivy62;5618758

So you do not like the owner so the horse is bad?

When did I say that? There are LOTS of people in this business I don’t care for, and yes, I root against them, but that doesn’t mean they have “bad horses.”

Is it because he wants to race clean?

Not at all. It’s the way that he has approached voicing that to a mainstream audience that likely isn’t informed as to what he is referring when he spouts things like “get the FBI involved to clean it up.”

A lot of people didn’t like Jess Jackson either but he was very good for racing…
I was one of them.

It is interesting that the top 2 finishers were both in the KD and not"fresh" horses…
NBC mentioned that of the past 20+ Preaknesses, a Derby horse has finished in the exacta. So interesting, yes, but not unique!

(Am I the only person thinking Motion won’t last long as the TV trainer? How long could YOU put up with Irwin?)

[Beverley]

It was a heckuva good race- I was sorry to see AK not quite get there, and but for the sideways start and having to take back behind a wall of horses and angle outside, who knows. But I was impressed with his stretch run- and with Shackleford all the way around. Too bad the owners didn’t get Raptured, I’d happily take either horse home!

[Calamber]

[QUOTE=Slewdledo;5618731]
He said on national TV he wants to get the FBI involved in regulation. Yeah, THAT’S great for the sport.[/QUOTE]

If that is what it takes to get the wanna be blue bloods to pay more attention to what their trainers are putting into the horses, so what? What are you worried about? I mean who are you so worried about? The people who are shooting up the horses, the trainers who are looking the other way, or the owners who don’t give a damn what either does as long as they win. Make another suggestion as to how this shit can stop and please stop whining about Barry Irwin’s courage to stand up and name names if he does. Amy Vanderbilt’s company manners or Robert’s Rules of Order never won the American Revolution and that it seems is what it will take to clean up the crap which US Racing has become.

Did you ever hear Arthur Hancock on this subject? You do know who he is right? He said, “get the thugs and the drugs out of racing.” What do you think he is/was referring to? Thank God there are still some people with a backbone. Now you are attacking Graham Motion as a “tv trainer”, what in the name of heaven are you talking about? What has your knickers in such a knot, some silly notion that it is not polite? I have a little cultural flash for you, telling the truth is not at all polite nor popular. I really do not see it necessary for the FBI to get involved, but if the industry will not clean up the mess, who exactly do you expect will. If the industry had been self policing, the problems would not be so huge. If you do not think the problems are that bad, go to the stats again. The Wall of Shame website would be a good start, but even that does not even begin to cover the numbers who break down, do not die and are never to be seen again.

I am not saying Barry Irwin is not a bit crass and somewhat off the top full of himself, but, he is outspoken about what matters and that is very good. Much better than Mr. Dopetrow and his Big Crack horse who just plain blew hot air and what ever else that would better be picked up with a blood test. Open up your eyes and become part of the solution, or, as they say, you are just part of the problem.

Finally watched the race, Shackleford was flat out at the end, a little more and Animal Kingdom would have eaten him up and he had to weave through tight situations, came wide and charging. I like that horse.

[Slewdledo]

TV = Team Valor

[Slewdledo]

[QUOTE=Calamber;5618829]
If that is what it takes to get the wanna be blue bloods to pay more attention to what their trainers are putting into the horses, so what? What are you worried about? I mean who are you so worried about? The people who are shooting up the horses, the trainers who are looking the other way, or the owners who don’t give a damn what either does as long as they win. Make another suggestion as to how this shit can stop and please stop whining about Barry Irwin’s courage to stand up and name names if he does. Amy Vanderbilt’s company manners or Robert’s Rules of Order never won the American Revolution and that it seems is what it will take to clean up the crap which US Racing has become.

Did you ever hear Arthur Hancock on this subject? You do know who he is right? He said, “get the thugs and the drugs out of racing.” What do you think he is/was referring to? Thank God there are still some people with a backbone. Now you are attacking Graham Motion as a “tv trainer”, what in the name of heaven are you talking about? What has your knickers in such a knot, some silly notion that it is not polite? I have a little cultural flash for you, telling the truth is not at all polite nor popular. I really do not see it necessary for the FBI to get involved, but if the industry will not clean up the mess, who exactly do you expect will. If the industry had been self policing, the problems would not be so huge. If you do not think the problems are that bad, go to the stats again. The Wall of Shame website would be a good start, but even that does not even begin to cover the numbers who break down, do not die and are never to be seen again.

I am not saying Barry Irwin is not a bit crass and somewhat off the top full of himself, but, he is outspoken about what matters and that is very good. Much better than Mr. Dopetrow and his Big Crack horse who just plain blew hot air and what ever else that would better be picked up with a blood test. Open up your eyes and become part of the solution, or, as they say, you are just part of the problem.

Finally watched the race, Shackleford was flat out at the end, a little more and Animal Kingdom would have eaten him up and he had to weave through tight situations, came wide and charging. I like that horse.[/QUOTE]

The FBI isn’t going to stop horses breaking down or people sending their horses to the killers. My horse broke his maiden 3 weeks ago. He was the only horse on the program not running on Lasix. He’s also a gelding and already has his retirement assured AND backup plan as well. I don’t think that’s my being “part of the problem.”

Juicers DO get penalized by the current governing entities. Do I think penalties are harsh enough, not necessarily. But Barry Irwin isn’t the guy to be the spokesman. Sorry.

[CVPeg]

Watched the replay again.

I thought Shackleford was done for as well before the race…

But then I remembered back to all those horses I’ve seen lathered up or carrying on just beforehand - both nervous with their ticket in my hand, or being proud I’ve bet against them - only to find them in front at the wire anyway!

Loved watching his walk back - he was so pleased with himself.

And still very impressed with AK as well.

Hope to see them both this summer.

[Laurierace]

Some pics from yesterday

[Laurierace]

Here is a video of the walkover

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150188760581375&oid=189840138971&comments

[CVPeg]

[QUOTE=Laurierace;5618959]
Here is a video of the walkover

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150188760581375&oid=189840138971&comments[/QUOTE]

@Laurierace;5618958

Some pics from yesterday

Thanks for these and the pics, Laurie.
Interesting how there was a crowd ahead of Dale Romans, yet Graham Motion was pretty well left alone…

[findeight]

@CVPeg;5619106

Thanks for these and the pics, Laurie.
Interesting how there was a crowd ahead of Dale Romans, yet Graham Motion was pretty well left alone…

Nah, not really, Dale is a talker and was featured in a Versus interview (while RM hemmed and hawed about Shackleford chances). Motion is unlike his name, pretty quiet.

[Laurierace]

Not to mention Graham had been interviewed about a million times during the past two weeks. He didn’t need to talk on the way over too.

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=Slewdledo;5618871]
The FBI isn’t going to stop horses breaking down or people sending their horses to the killers. My horse broke his maiden 3 weeks ago. He was the only horse on the program not running on Lasix. He’s also a gelding and already has his retirement assured AND backup plan as well. I don’t think that’s my being “part of the problem.”

Juicers DO get penalized by the current governing entities. Do I think penalties are harsh enough, not necessarily. But Barry Irwin isn’t the guy to be the spokesman. Sorry.[/QUOTE]

If it takes federal drug charges to get the Dutrows of this world and the owners who look the other way out of racing, so be it. Irwin’s just saying the truth. It’s not about anti-slaughter people with their knickers in a twist over sending horses to kill–I actually don’t care what you do with a horse if it’s yours and I’m not able/willing to buy it. It’s about trainers who are happy to shoot up horses with painkillers and Lasix and anything else they can get away with whether it’s legal to keep badly inbred glass-ankled animals running just long enough to put in some fast sprints before they break and get sent to the shed to breed more junk. It’s about wagering interference by betting on horses who may or may not be doped (and wagering IS what the sport’s ultimately about.) Are they DIRECTLY going to stop breakdowns? No one can do that. If horses who are unsound can no longer be given painkillers and run anyway, will there be fewer breakdowns? Yes.

And if when the feds finish passing laws on racing, they maybe decide to go after sport-horse vets writing “just in case” prescriptions and trainers who keep bottles of schedule drugs in their show barns to give their horses all those injections the owners never ask about (and get the owners too), good.

I’ll take ten owners like Irwin and Team Valor who put their horses where their mouths are over one of those who looks the other way because the trainer has had some big-name winners.

[findeight]

I’m neutral on Irwin but that is a great point about it being about wagering…and ALL information being available concerning an entry’s chance to allow proper handicapping. Like it should be in any sport where alot of money can change hands because somebody knows the scam is on.

If for no other reason then money, that might get the job done by getting the feds involved (which I normally would never ask for) and it will trickle down to actual horse welfare.

Wouldn’t break my heart to see a general change in attitude about how any competition horse is managed…not in the zero tolerance camp but some are waaaaay across the line.

[Flashy_Gray_VA]

Laurie - great pics, love the floral print dress! Looks like it was a nice day.

The more I watch the replays of the race the more interesting it is, tactically. Will be looking forward to hearing the next steps for some favorites, be it the Belmont or beyond.

As for Preakness attendance - from TV I thought the crowds looked a little thin, myself.

“Kegasus” needs to go away and join those who wanted to “get their Preak on” in the history of Truly Terribly Awful Marketing Schemes.

[Calamber]

[QUOTE=Laurierace;5619188]
Not to mention Graham had been interviewed about a million times during the past two weeks. He didn’t need to talk on the way over too.[/QUOTE]

I would certainly love to be left alone to think and reflect at that time. Nevermind that all that would be on my mind is if my horse gets a safe trip and comes home with everything intact. Too much babbling for the masses sake and very little that could be said where you don’t look like a fool on the walkover. All that can be done has been done, it is just fodder for the babblers at that point.

Thanks for the walkover video Laurie, I do miss those Maryland oak trees and the thoroughbreds, what a beautiful day! I have to say though, I cannot imagine why they allow those cameras and all those people grouped around those poor horses and the people who are trying to keep them safe. I would be livid to have the camera poked in my face or the horses face in those close quarters. Sheesh, media whores. Who are the two big bays they were focusing on? Is one Mucho Macho Man? Both Shackleford and Animal Kingdom are chestnuts right? Shackleford has a big beautiful blaze and some chrome right? Lovely, lovely animal. You are so blessed to be right there.

[Calamber]

[QUOTE=Slewdledo;5618871]
The FBI isn’t going to stop horses breaking down or people sending their horses to the killers. My horse broke his maiden 3 weeks ago. He was the only horse on the program not running on Lasix. He’s also a gelding and already has his retirement assured AND backup plan as well. I don’t think that’s my being “part of the problem.”

Juicers DO get penalized by the current governing entities. Do I think penalties are harsh enough, not necessarily. But Barry Irwin isn’t the guy to be the spokesman. Sorry.[/QUOTE]

I am referring to being part of the problem by not working to change the policy, not your personal horsie’s life after racing. How about those thousands of others? Life is kind of funny that way though in terms of who becomes the leadership and who becomes the spokesman. It is a self selection process of whoever has the mind, the heart and the backbone to take a stand. Those are the ones who change the course of history. Not the little people who only care about their own little world. Big thinkers, big dreamers with big and good ideas, they change history.

[vineyridge]

What might have been. If the race had only been another 1/16th of a mile. . .

If they don’t send AK to the Belmont, his connections are crazy. Why give the race and its purse to Nehro? AK is one of the few horses out there in his cohort who is actually bred to go 1 1/2 miles.

[ivy62]

Vineyridge- I couldn’t agree more. It will be interesting to see…If he can do this and run a nice campaign for the rest of the year he is certainly looking at some nice races. Weather it be in the USA or abroad. I think if he does well someone will buy him and ship him overseas to be bred. They run races at length we do not any more sadly…