Kind of switching topics…1) I am NOT very knowleagable about racing and usually only watch the Triple Crown races. Anyway, I came here to see if anyone had anything to say about Verifying. I know horses get tired and drop back but I was watching and had just said to my family, he doesn’t look right, his stride is really short (he was still leading though), and a few strides later the jockey essentially pulled him out of the race hand galloping home. I admit I haven’t seen the replay, can’t bring myself to for some reason. Good on the jockey for not pushing him though. Did I see that or am I wrong. Haven’t seen anything on the internet mentioning the stride or that he was lame later. This thread sadly reminds me of a time I was at the paddock and I saw a horse that was off, but it was subtle. When the groom came by I did try to mention it because I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I hadn’t. He looked me but ignored me…horse was dead lame at the end of the race. I may have been railbird and it was officially none of my business but it didn’t have to end that way.
Yes, this is of course the problem of all horse sports, staying ahead of the chemist who is developing new drugs. However, my understanding has always been that it’s prohibitively expensive even to test samples for all banned substances let alone every known and unknown substance. I find the subject really interesting, compared to racing procedures based on your statement, but a quick Google seems to indicate that the testing performed on racing samples depends on the lab and the state, and they also seem to test for a limited number of substances. I have not found a good comprehensive article though, so if anyone could point me towards one that would be great.
They are typically using ELISA and mass spec to test the samples. In all cases, you must know what you are looking for, although it can be a large panel of compounds in a single sample. For example, when I used mass spec to ID compounds in bacterial extracts, I fed in a panel of thousands of compounds that we might find. But it cannot be used to ID a novel drug, because it requires a reference standard.
Why are you so damned determined to crap on Forte’s conenctions for doing the RIGHT THING?
Also, not every horse in every race gets tested. The Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup races are different, but for most of the regular everyday allowance and claiming races, it’s the first three finishers and a random horse or two. Or if a favorite puts in what appears to be an inexplicably bad effort, say finishing last or almost, then they’ll test that horse.
Because she clearly knows more about the situation that they do.
Why they didn’t consult her remains a mystery. 
And she can read Todd Pletcher’s/Mike Repole’s minds. Must be a useful skill.
Another observation is that it is possible for a horse to bruise a foot and not show any sensitivity on it, which I am guessing (a total guess since I don’t possess clairvoyant skills) was the case Thursday when Pletcher says they found it. These horses are so closely watched and monitored - they probably know how many cubic feet of gas are in every one of Forte’s farts.
When we are trying to ID an unknown for stuff at work, though I am not the chemist I do get the pay the bill. Holy cow can we rack it up quick - high 5s are quick and easy, 6 figures for the really critical “find me” games. Multiple 6 figure runs trying to find the source of same unknown substance.
For my work they have to request certain drugs if they are suspected which costs more. Normally they hit the basics.
He went too fast too early and ran out of gas, jockey stopped pushing him and let him coast home as is standard when a horse has run out of energy to protect the horse. You did see him drop out of contention, You did not see him pulled up. You did not see him limping because he was not lame, just tired. You can safely watch the replay. Velocity gave it everything he had. He’ll be back.
Back in the “ good old days” a jockey would have been expected to keep pushing an exhausted horse to avoid the appearance of throwing the race. We have made progress in horse welfare, believe it or not.
Exactly. 
People who aren’t experienced with racing first hand don’t really put together that hard work, fast, on any type of surface, can and does make their feet sore. It’s very easy to get a hoof bruise from working hard or even just ramping up the work - sometimes they don’t even look lame until you swap to pavement or gravel.
This was absolutely the right thing. It’s the comments from the owner and trainer that are concerning. Their comments make it clear that they really didn’t see the bruise and how it affected the horse’s soundness as an issue. That is troubling.
He was running fine. Got tired, drifted into the rail, steady & then fell back because he was out of gas, not due to being pulled up.
He finished 16th.
I guess you missed it. I told you, based on my opinion I questioned the actions. Read the post. It is my opinion and I am entitled to it it. You are entitled to yours. I a NOT new to the training industry. More than anything else, racing seems like a factory farming industry in which livestock," is raised to provide a profit." can LOVE the horses but i am not obligated to blindly endorse or support practices of mass trainers and the industry. To each their own.
AS an aside, I know there are some small breeders here, Thank you for breeding and raising your horses with love and concern. I have had many a TB from, a small breeder as a “dressage,” partner and they were FANTASTIC horses.
I agree here and thank the jockey for taking care of the horses. I remember the old days of beating an exhausted horse to death.
Many thanks for speaking up. The fact that the trainer and owner seemed not to understand how a hoof bruise could effect one is what bugs me. It makes me wonder if they have done it before.
Have you ever had a bruised toe or foot after a horse stepped on it? Have you ever stepped on a stone or rock at the barn? Have you ever had a torn toenail? A minor ankle sprain? A bruised heel or sole? A cut on the bottom of your foot from stepping on something? Remember how those minor injuries hurt and how you favored that foot. I bet you did not run 1 1/4 miles on it full speed on a foot/leg that hurt a little. Why should we expect the horse to do it? It appears that this whole concept was forgotten. If it still hurts then why are you asking a horse to run full speed on it? That is what bothers me.
foot, you
Where are you getting that the owner doesn’t understand? Didn’t see any video of him arguing with the vets, saw much footage of him saying it was the right thing to do. He has a right to say he’s disappointed, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t understand, fact he’s one of the more involved owners when it comes to his horses. Or so it seems as I don’t know him personally. Certainly never claim to know his feelings well enough to blame him…especially for doing the right thing.
True, however off the wall it may be.
Ask ASBStarmaster they are a VERY knowing. You and I are looking and interpreting at statements differently. I would NEVER use a statement of disappointment to reflect one ability to access health and the risk of potential injury.
No more then you own, unless you know it all and you are the only one in the universe which has an opinion that counts. Sad if you believe that.
