Glim-
You have a PM regarding the horse in the first race.
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;4447215]
…In regards to the first race with the horse vanned off is he ‘ok’? The tarp screen was up and seeing him hobble on the equine ambulance didn’t look too good. I happened to watch the tv version on my DVR last night and it wasn’t mentioned…[/QUOTE]
I have been wondering (and worrying) about that one too. I was watching it live (via Goldcup website cam). Didn’t see the actual fall, but noticed the horse down and struggling to get up; just a brief look since the camera was on the race. At race’s end, announcer only mentioned two horses had gone down, but both were okay. No mention of that 3rd horse at all. 
I had been hoping that horse was just having problems regaining footing on the slick ground, but reading your post, that evidently wasn’t the case. 
[QUOTE=Liberty;4447243]
I have been wondering (and worrying) about that one too. I was watching it live (via Goldcup website cam). Didn’t see the actual fall, but noticed the horse down and struggling to get up; just a brief look since the camera was on the race. At race’s end, announcer only mentioned two horses had gone down, but both were okay. No mention of that 3rd horse at all.
I had been hoping that horse was just having problems regaining footing on the slick ground, but reading your post, that evidently wasn’t the case. :([/QUOTE]
One horse went down on the turn to home (on the flat), and the other went down over the last hurdle. Only two fell in that race, not 3. I had heard from friends say they said that horse and rider were both up. The horse who fell after the fence was the horse I was running. I don’t feel comfortable sharing details on a public forum.
I’m so sorry.
[QUOTE=SteeleRdr;4447315]
One horse went down on the turn to home (on the flat), and the other went down over the last hurdle. Only two fell in that race, not 3. I had heard from friends say they said that horse and rider were both up. The horse who fell after the fence was the horse I was running. I don’t feel comfortable sharing details on a public forum.[/QUOTE]
So sorry…but kudos to you for being so professional about it. I applaud your honor.
A New Jersey paper cited that the numbers for Far Hills were around 21,000 (down from the 50k mark or so on a perfect fall day) and while I haven’t seen any guestimates for Great Meadow I’ll take a swag at it being 5,500.
Joe Clancy and the ST Times has this summary article - Oct 19, 2009
excerpts
Dynaformer may someday be known as the best steeplechase sire in history. The Kentucky stallion produced Far Hills winners Left Unsaid and Ambersham, who combined to earn $130,000. In other acton at Far Hills, Tax Ruling finished third in the Grand National and Dynaskill placed second in the Peapack. Sire of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro and a host of flat stars, Dynafomer puts stamina – and an affinity for demanding soft turf – into his progeny. Through October 23, the NSA top 10 includes three sons of Dynaformer (Left Unsaid, Tax Ruling and Dynaski).
The International Gold Cup could use its day. Putting two premier meets on the same day doesn’t help anyone, it cheapens the product and the sport can’t afford that.
Universal Sports television and Internet coverage helped the game. Period. The ST team spent the day at the races so we haven’t seen the show, but it had to be a good thing. Exposure is good, so is the type of camera coverage used at Far Hills. Finding a way to pay for that would go a long way.
American steeplechase participants seem to take it on the chin sometimes – and this is one of those times. Your Sum Man, Pierrot Lunaire, General Ledger, Ross Geraghty, Peter Buchanan and so on make it seem like any horse or jockey can come here from overseas and succeed. That’s not the case, even if the United States was built on opportunity. If the turf suddenly got firm for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, Mixed Up would be competitive. If Danielle Hodsdon could go to England and ride first-call for Paul Nicholls, she’d win races. Don’t hold a grudge, the invaders bring loads of talent and experience – and are only capitalizing on chances presented. But it sure would be nice to see some more homegrown success.
And the debacle of wagering as none of it transpired with the races in NJ (the Virginia ones were off the table to begin with) due to wagering licenses not having been ironed out.
The NSA tried to secure pari-mutuel wagering on the races at Far Hills, via a simulcast hub at Canada’s Woodbine Racecourse, but ran into problems with the New Jersey Racing Commission. The plan did not call for on-site betting, but the commission insisted that state law required a pari-mutuel license or permit. Discussions the week of the races did not make progress and the NJRC notified the NSA and simulcast sites of the issues via letter Friday. The wagering was canceled, but not before notifications appeared on account wagering sites and major racing publications. Steeplechasing can live without the betting, but could have done without the embarrassment.
And for those who watched the Universal Sports tv coverage or live internet coverage this was a true remark:
Mark Johnson can call races. The Englishman narrated the action at Far Hills into mini stories, complete with details of past races, jockey achievements and original phrases such as “from flag fall to that’s all.” Give him a win in his American steeplechase debut, but don’t forget Tony Bentley.
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;4448964]
A New Jersey paper cited that the numbers for Far Hills were around 21,000 (down from the 50k mark or so on a perfect fall day) …[/QUOTE]
The Star-Ledger from 10-21-09 says “35,000” so it looks like it was better then initially reported. The downside for the Jersey event is that 25 were arrested for assorted minor crimes from public urination to DWI to disorderly conduct.
