I hate when they run in slop:mad:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/05/21/horse-dies-after-winning-first-race-of-preakness-saturday/
Oh no!!
Geez, were they running an event cross country course there?
how heartbreaking for all involved •
The first one had nothing to do with track conditions. The second one didn’t necessarily have anything to do with track conditions, either. Unfortunate that they both happened, though.
Just talked to somebody at a harness track right up 95 that does not even want to watch the races there because of the conditions.
I stopped watching any of the races live. I wait until they are done and no one has died and watch replays.
Jingles & AO for all the rest of the riders and their horses to have ‘safe travels’ this afternoon ~
[QUOTE=JustTheTicket;8672793]
The first one had nothing to do with track conditions. The second one didn’t necessarily have anything to do with track conditions, either. Unfortunate that they both happened, though.[/QUOTE]
Are you saying this as fact or opinion?
I have worked in enough mud to know that it works your system harder and it is not as good as footing and easier to break a leg.IMHO
Could be a million reasons, but as I said I hate seeing horses being worked on bad footing.
[QUOTE=Tuffytown;8672800]
I stopped watching any of the races live. I wait until they are done and no one has died and watch replays.[/QUOTE]
That is exactly when I do, ever since Ruffian.
WOW so horribly sad.
[QUOTE=Tuffytown;8672800]
I stopped watching any of the races live. I wait until they are done and no one has died and watch replays.[/QUOTE]
I so struggle with racing. On one hand, it’s horses at the top of their game, doing what they have been bred to do. On the other hand, it’s racing.
We were supposed to go out to watch the races and do some silly betting. I’m probably going to pass.
[QUOTE=Jim R;8672820]
Are you saying this as fact or opinion?
I have worked in enough mud to know that it works your system harder and it is not as good as footing and easier to break a leg.IMHO
Could be a million reasons, but as I said I hate seeing horses being worked on bad footing.[/QUOTE]
The first death was almost guaranteed not to be related to track conditions - it was likely heart or more likely aortic rupture and it can even happen to horses doing nothing.
If the track has a good base that isn’t giving way because of the water, catastrophic injuries are pretty rare if the surface turns to slop; slop is more water than dirt. Heavy going can cause soft tissue damage. The worst catastrophic injury I ever saw was on a bone dry track - filly took a bad step and broke both front legs.
^^ Exactly. The horse could have run an equally hard race on a perfect track and still have dropped in the way back to the barn. Same with the one breaking its leg. It could have and does happen on perfect track surfaces. So, the track conditions didn’t necessarily have anything to do with the deaths. It was just a bad day.
[QUOTE=Louise;8672822]
That is exactly when I do, ever since Ruffian.[/QUOTE]
Ruffian’s death broke my heart. I love watching thoroughbreds run. There simply isn’t a more beautiful sight in the world, but the break downs… :sadsmile:
I’m glad I didn’t plan on seeing the racing today, how absolutely horrible. Prayers to the connections.
Homeboychris was a really nice horse. Both deaths are beyond sad. What a rotten day for horse racing.
I have 3 OTTB’s, including one who ran at one of the races leading up to the Belmont, with jockey John Velaquez. Watching them in the field, running down hills, spinning, bucking and just being TB’s takes my breath away and makes my heart stop at times.
Is this sport any different than eventing, fox hunting, grand prix jumping, etc? What about trail riding? I had a boarder who took a bad step on a pace event and broke a leg and was euthanized on the spot.
It’s tragic whenever any horse suffers a catastrophic injury that results in death. But to say the sport is cruel or should be eliminated, opens the door to conversation about all other horse sports, that put both horse and human at risk.
Prayers to all those that suffered losses today…
[QUOTE=MoonWitch;8672943]
I have 3 OTTB’s, including one who ran at one of the races leading up to the Belmont, with jockey John Velaquez. Watching them in the field, running down hills, spinning, bucking and just being TB’s takes my breath away and makes my heart stop at times.
Is this sport any different than eventing, fox hunting, grand prix jumping, etc? What about trail riding? I had a boarder who took a bad step on a pace event and broke a leg and was euthanized on the spot.
It’s tragic whenever any horse suffers a catastrophic injury that results in death. But to say the sport is cruel or should be eliminated, opens the door to conversation about all other horse sports, that put both horse and human at risk.
Prayers to all those that suffered losses today…[/QUOTE]
I can’t imagine what that must feel like to see your own horse coming down the stretch. I had goosebumps just watching my OTTB’s old races on race replay. That has to be the stuff heart attacks are made of!
We lost two horses this spring to pasture accidents. Both broken legs just from horse-ing around with their buddies. It certainly can happen anywhere under any circumstance. I’m sorry for both those horses and their connections.
So sad to hear this.
[QUOTE=Jim R;8672820]
Are you saying this as fact or opinion?
I have worked in enough mud to know that it works your system harder and it is not as good as footing and easier to break a leg.IMHO
Could be a million reasons, but as I said I hate seeing horses being worked on bad footing.[/QUOTE]
Homeboykris died on the way back to the barn… he’d gone about 100 yards before he collapsed.
Pramedya (sp?) broke her cannon bone in a turf race. Track officials talked to the winning jock (Velasquez I think) who said surface was fine and no indication of any issues until she broke down. Fortunately, all the horses behind her were able to avoid her and all stayed on their feet and finished the race. Condolences to the Jacksons and other Lael connections.
