I am new to these discussions, so forgive me if I am being repetitive. However, I can’t help but wonder if the accidents/injuries are becoming more frequent on the race tracks. I could be way off base-please correct me if I am wrong.
[QUOTE=2boys;2724944]
I can’t help but wonder if the accidents/injuries are becoming more frequent on the race tracks. [/QUOTE]
I am going to go with no on that one.
Not to sidetrack this - I was a BIG fan of Teuflesberg’s - but no, injuries are not on the rise. Trainers are worse. Drugs (legal and non) are rampant. We’re breeding for quarter-mile speed and prettiness, not stamina and ability. Polytrack isn’t the answer for any of those.
And shame on ESPN for reporting hearsay. SHAME ON THEM.
Okay, well that is a relief then.
We were there today for a very short time, as it was just too hot and way too crowded. I am very relieved we missed all of that. 
I know they were considering changing the saddling and walking ring arrangements to keep the crowd away… this should pretty much ensure that that happens.
Any updates–there has been nothing on Thoroughbred Times or Bloodhorse web sites
that I can find about the accident.
Not to hijack the thread. Why does it seem that sesamoid injuries are so common. What causes them and how can we as a racing community fans, breeders, trainers, jocks help to stop them.
Seems like while running that is the bone that go’s most often. While misteps take their fair share of fetlocks and cannon bones. It that area of the leg the most stressed during running?
Are most break downs due to misteps and falls? Or are the more often caused by horses straining at the limits of their speed and endurance?
Not looking for a train wreck…just curious!
I wish they could have tried to save Gold Train - but I guess it was not possible.
Wondering - are racehorses routinely x-rayed to see if anything looks suspect - to detect anything leading to possible future breakdowns? I think if I had a racehorse I would x-ray on a regular basis - knees/cannon bones on down.
Their legs are felt about twice a day - that would show most problems.
Terrible Day
Hi All,
Yesterday was horrible - by the time Gold Train broke down I was running to the bathroom to barf (sorry if that is TMI for a lot of you).
First, Dream of Angels, then Teuflesberg, and finally Gold Train.
Don’t get me wrong - I’ve seen unknown horses break down, but this was starting to echo in my head like the 1990 Breeders Cup at Belmont (Shaker Knit, Mr. Nickerson, and Go For Wand). I was there when Ruffian broke down (1975) in The Great Match Race, and when Exogenous flipped at yet another Belmont Breeders Cup (2001). I know breakdowns are part of the sport but I was overwhelmed yesterday.
And, I think it is fair to point out that Teuflesberg is a long way from out of the woods. Fusing an ankle is no picnic with the complications that can arise…but I’m hoping for the best.
I’m not going to get into polytrack type surfaces vs. traditional, but you’ve got to remember that long range results are a long way off on polytrack ‘type’ footing…I said long range, not short range.
And, if I could have leapt through the TV and strangled Jeanine Edwards for uttering hearsay about the training of one of the horses, I’d have done it. How DARE she second guess a trainer, track vets, and stewards (which is what the hearsay indirectly inferred)? Incredibly stupid and unprofessional.
As far as the rest of the broadcasters, some very soft words and farewells would have gone a long way. I’m surprised at each of them. More kindness might have gone a long way to help both experiences racing fans as well as the newbies.
I’m very upset,
Hallie McEvoy
Racing Dreams, LLC
Looks like Tueflesburgh will have surgery in the next day or two. He was given blood thinners to help lower leg blood flow, 75% chance of having long-term recovery…
The location and function of the sesamoids make them prone to injury, further exacerbated by long toes / low heels / honking toe grabs on shoes. The two little bones act like a pulley for the tendons/ligaments, which are put under a great deal of strain at speed. Not only can that area of the leg easily get clipped by other hooves, the horse’s leg flexes so much during the weightbearing phase at the gallop that the sesamoid area can practically touch the ground – especially for horses with long pasterns.
Do you routinely get x-rays? Probably not. They cannot show a misstep anyway. Race horses are gone over everyday with a finetooth comb, things do not get missed or overlooked on graded stakes winners. Probably we look for things wrong, that are not there. Anything suspicious is x-rayed or ultrasounded. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is put them down, as in the case of Gold Train, we could only be so lucky.
[QUOTE=Slewdledo;2724973]
And shame on ESPN for reporting hearsay. SHAME ON THEM.[/QUOTE]
Others too have said this as well and I have to concur. It was far out of line to repeat essentialy barn banter on a nationally broadcasted event. I like Jeannine Edwards and think her skills as an interviewer are excellent, but off the cuff remarks aren’t welcomed no matter who the reporter is.
Was ESPN just trying to fill air space and keep their audience informed - sure - but you cannot whatsoever do that with illinformed conjecture regarding workouts, mere visual inspection and prior scratches. Every day the backstretch is full of people willing to take a swipe at other’s horses. ESPN easily could be looking at a lawsuit. The remarks effectively (1) called into question the care and decision making of Jamie, et al and (2) could hamper Teuflesberg’s future stud value by having a suggest cloud of “not being fit” for breeding.
The action this weekend - putting aside the unfortunate misery - was brilliant. Some of the best racing day after day and both here in the States and across the pond in a long time!
Im not sure if ESPN televised two days of racing or if I was just watching races I missed Sat. But the ones I watched at Keenland yesterday were brillant. Lots of good strech drives and battles.
The latest I can find:
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2007/October/08/Teuflesberg-given-75-chance-to-survive-injury.aspx
Surgery for Grade 2 winner Teuflesberg was postponed on Monday at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington to allow the three-year-old Johannesburg colt’s white blood cell count to recover.
Teuflesberg took a bad step and was pulled up during the $200,000 Phoenix Stakes (G3) at Keeneland Race Course on Saturday. The colt fractured both sesamoids in his left front leg.
He will not race again, but there is hope he could serve stallion duty as early as next year, said trainer Jamie Sanders.
“He was scheduled for surgery at [1 p.m.] today, but Dr. [Larry] Bramlage didn’t think his white blood cell count was where it needed to be to do the surgery,” said Sanders, who co-owns the colt. “We think it’s just the stress he’s going through. He is very excitable. We had to get our own help that he recognizes to baby sit him. He’s like a pet and he’s so used to having people he recognizes. He doesn’t know what’s happening.”
Bramlage reported good blood flow to the injured limb and estimated the colt’s survival chances at 75%, Sanders said.
…
Anyone on here with info on what happened ?
What really happened? Didn’t he have a last minute jockey change? Why?
Did anyone notice that he didn’t look right before the race?
Dream of Angels
He did not flip over in his stable, as was reported previously in this post. He flipped over in the paddock in plain view of everyone. It was one of the most awful, tragic things I have ever witnessed. My heart goes out to the owner and trainer - it doesn’t look like anyone could have done anything to have prevented it. Just a horrible accident.
Many jingles for Teuflesberg and his connections.
I know all too well what they are going through right now…
And oops, I don’t know where my brain was the other day… no, it wasn’t opening day at Keenland on Saturday, duh. Hehe.
