Where in the pedigree chart are the Tail Male or Tail Female?
Thanks, that has been puzzling me for years.
While I am at it, what is a ‘route’ race?
This might help (it’s a dog site, but same basic principle):
http://www.canadamt.com/education/read/tail_lines/tail_line.htm
A route is a longer race (a mile or more).
The very “top line” of the sire’s pedigree (all males) and the very bottom line of the dam’s pedigree (all females). As shown in Harvestmoon’s example.
Tail female that traces to a “blue hen” mare is held in much higher regard.
As far as the term IMO “route” or rout as some pronounce it at least 1¼ but more like 1½. Two turns. The only race track in this country that can field a one turn mile on the main oval without the use of a chute is Belmont . So IMO that is why a 1 mile race is considered a “route”.
As the English say, a horse that likes a “route of ground”
12 furlong races/horses are are highly regarded there. Here they are called plodders and boring. Typical of Americans, we want it now and fast. We have no appreciation for what it takes and the caliber of horse to win at the top level going a “distance of ground”.
Thank you for asking the questions and for the answers. I didn’t know either and had always wondered too.
Huh! Thank you both. I also believe that good dams beget good dams.
However I pay equal attention to the dam sire of a stud. Interesting traditions we have.
OK, can anyone give me the origins of ‘Blue Hen’? Is it folklore/fable based, I kind of remember ? (I always thought that was a neat term).
[QUOTE=gumtree;7535609]
As far as the term IMO “route” or rout as some pronounce it at least 1¼ but more like 1½. Two turns. The only race track in this country that can field a one turn mile is Belmont. [/QUOTE]
Laurel has a one-turn mile.
They used to have two chutes; a straight one off the back stretch for 7f races and an angled one off the clubhouse turn for 1m races. To save money they eliminated the 1 mile start, stretched out the other to 7½f and added another finish post 110 yards past the original. They light a light on the post in use for the current race.
Aqueduct and Churchill Downs also run one turn miles. Routes are generally 1 mile+. More and more the European breeders are favoring the winner of the Guineas (run on a straight mile) over the Derby at 12f. While Europe still considers 12 the “classic” distance, they seem to want to breed to milers.
[QUOTE=Plumcreek;7535818]
Huh! Thank you both. I also believe that good dams beget good dams.
However I pay equal attention to the dam sire of a stud. Interesting traditions we have.
OK, can anyone give me the origins of ‘Blue Hen’? Is it folklore/fable based, I kind of remember ? (I always thought that was a neat term).[/QUOTE]
Wikepiedia not the most accurate, however this seems to be a likely origin of the term; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Hen_of_Delaware
Thanks skydy. Somehow I always had a mental image of Blue Hens that laid Golden Eggs, which would fit with the revered broodmare concept. However the closest I can fine on Google is a conversion to a hen for the Goose that laid the Golden Egg, and the hen is not blue. Oh well, off to strip wallpaper.
[QUOTE=WhiteCamry;7536346]
Laurel has a one-turn mile.
They used to have two chutes; a straight one off the back stretch for 7f races and an angled one off the clubhouse turn for 1m races. To save money they eliminated the 1 mile start, stretched out the other to 7½f and added another finish post 110 yards past the original. They light a light on the post in use for the current race.[/QUOTE]
Arlington Park also has a chute for one turn miles.
Does Colonial Downs not have a mile chute too? Seems like it would have to, given the main track is 10f.
Saratoga and Hollywood previously had such chutes, before they were done away with due to track reconfiguration.
Ellis Park still has the odd angled chute at the Clubhouse turn, similar to what Laurel had, which allows for 1.5 turn mile races. I believe it’s the only US track left with that kind of chute.
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;7538203]
Arlington Park also has a chute for one turn miles.
Does Colonial Downs not have a mile chute too? Seems like it would have to, given the main track is 10f.
Saratoga and Hollywood previously had such chutes, before they were done away with due to track reconfiguration.
Ellis Park still has the odd angled chute at the Clubhouse turn, similar to what Laurel had, which allows for 1.5 turn mile races. I believe it’s the only US track left with that kind of chute.[/QUOTE]
Just remembered Gulfstream has one turn miles too, since it was redeveloped in the last decade.
So that’s…
Belmont
Aqueduct
Churchill
Gulfstream
Laurel
Arlington
Colonial??
[QUOTE=gumtree;7535609]
The very “top line” of the sire’s pedigree (all males) and the very bottom line of the dam’s pedigree (all females). As shown in Harvestmoon’s example.
Tail female that traces to a “blue hen” mare is held in much higher regard.
As far as the term IMO “route” or rout as some pronounce it at least 1¼ but more like 1½. Two turns. The only race track in this country that can field a one turn mile is Belmont. So IMO that is why a 1 mile race is considered a “route”.
As the English say, a horse that likes a “route of ground”
12 furlong races/horses are are highly regarded there. Here they are called plodders and boring. Typical of Americans, we want it now and fast. We have no appreciation for what it takes and the caliber of horse to win at the top level going a “distance of ground”.[/QUOTE]
Looks like I should of clarified my comment, Belmont is the only track in this country that can field a 1 turn mile on the main track, oval. With out the use of a chute. It is a 1 ½ mile oval with big sweeping turns. Which IMO would tend to be more forgiven on horse.
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;7538203]
Saratoga and Hollywood previously had such chutes, before they were done away with due to track reconfiguration.[/QUOTE]
In Saratoga’s case it was seating reconfiguration. The mile start was a 90-degree angled chute leading to the top of the clubhouse turn. They eliminated it to install high-priced bleachers (not even a grandstand extension.) I believe Saratoga doesn’t run dirt miles anymore.
Saratoga had the chute (that extended into what is now parking) into the 50’s. It was called the Wilson chute (or Wilson Mile.) It was done away with but looking at the configuration of the fences, you can see where it was. It was long gone when I started attending the races in the 70’s.
In the 90’s they decided to run some miles with the gate positioned against the outside fence on the turn but it was a disaster.
