After The TC

Has a TC series produced this many issues as this year? Back in the old days when I first got into the sport it was tough to find anybody on the backstretch who failed to know everything there is to know about horse racing. These days the old timers have mellowed. Everybody understands it's a tough tough sport. Very few have any answers.

Before I continue with "training", the focus of this blog, a few RR "opinions" on some of this year's issues:

1. Breeding: I think they're breeding faster, better horses than when I first got in. 1:36 miles--used to be u'd seem them on rare occasions. Now, they happen in claiming races.
If we are indeed breeding weaker horses I'd like to know what the heck they're talking about--weaker or more fragile in what respect? I'd be amazed you could breed a weaker horse this quickly. There are, frankly, no stats, and until there are, I'd have to think that breakdowns are primarily caused by a combo of faster horses and negligent training. The latter aspect has improved of late.

2. Drugs--I'd still like to see real evidence that cheating is ubiquitous. My guess is that cheating happens by the same 25% that cheat in society in general. What I see on the backstretch is that most care about their horses, enjoy training and do not cheat. Get rid of anabolic steroids, of course, and race day bute, which might well keep horses from feeling impending trouble. Wonder if Eight Belles raced on bute. We need lasix. Because it's outlawed in England hardly means those horses race with clear lungs.

3. Finding a trainer: the sport, if it ever organizes, could make this process so much easier. To me it starts with changing the system. Owners rule, instead of professional trainers.

4. NTRA: Alex Waldrop needs to become mover and shaker or he needs to get his butt out of there.

5. Richard Dutrow Jr.--both flawed and a breath of fresh air. Dutrow informed us about Winstrol and probably did a great service to the sport.

Back to training/breezing frequency/ and breakdowns tomorrow.

Training:
Sat. 6/14. Friday the 13th was bad news for Tim Russert. Wish I had an ounce of his appeal. rip! Both horses did 1.5 miles slow riderless. Art did 1.25 miles tack work including his first extended gallop on mushy grass. Nob said he did a lead change like a pro and has a strong gallop stride for being a smaller horse. Rod had spent 4 sessions walking under tack with another horse at his side. This date we put him out in space without company and he handled it quite well. Expect to be trotting soon.