Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Good Derby Training/Questionable DerbyTraining

Coaches/managers/trainers have various effects depending on who you talk to. Does the horse run in spite of or because of its trainer? Whatever your answer, can you evaluate a Derby horse, put down your greenbacks ,without an opinion on this interesting group of trainers?

In this regard, that small cyclone emanating from the KY State Vet Office would be the Square Eddie collective sigh of relief. Peckam, puffing on his pipe: "...saves us the trouble..." (txs to 'deep throat' for the quote.) But, kudos to Paul Reddam for "erring on the side of caution" in contrast with certain other connections a year ago!

Doug O'Neil seems like the sort of fellow you'd enjoy having coffee with. Smart, educated, experienced, bear of a nice fellow. Yet...(see blog Sept.-Oct. 08 posts).

To cliche it, we tread a fine line with horses--walking on egg shells and membranes. Zero mistakes. You'd like that last workout by Square Eddie at first blush. Seems well planned. A volume of work combined with speed at the end. If SE can survive the Lexington, surely he can that little bit of mild exercise. What went wrong?

Decline here a close look at SE's work tab. You can look it up at Doug Oneil Horse Trainer website. Notice if there's anything in there appropriately preparing SE for a two mile gallop with speed at the end. And then add to what you see doing this for the first time on dirt instead of poly with a 140+ lbs exercise rider, 10 lbs. saddle, 5 lbs. additional equipment on board, and we start to consider Rule #1: never do anything with a horse without being 100% certain you can do it without injuring the horse. I avoid being overly critical. Once they made the decision to run it was a fine fine line. Great horse. I wish the connections sincerely best of luck!

On the other hand, anyone considering maybe Jeff Mullins has done a very nice job? Recently committed the crime of helping a horse breathe. Of course the horse players and cynics jump all over squirting Air Power. Confers an advantage, they think. If I have a bitch with Mullins it is his failure to defend the product against a stupid rule. Get on a horse one time before you get all bent out of shape.

Today's video shows superior husbandry for I Want Revenge, and though I've yet to analyze the training line (coming soon), the recent training I've looked seems logical and well conceived. Small hints and cues here that all is well. One probable chink in the armour though to comment on before Saturday.

Bill--if you see this I'd be interested in your opinions on the Derby!

Training:
Tues. 4/28: Art exercises by escaping the farm again. Rod walked 10 minutes under tack. Terrible ground conditions.

5 Comments:

Anonymous lbarge said...

I am thrilled I found your blog!! I am also a Kansas Citian starved for horse racing news and your blog is a breath of fresh air. I agree with your Dunkirk, can we get the horse to churchill any earlier statement...Do they have to wait to get off work...get the kids out of school before hitting the road?? I want my horse good and tired from the road or plane ride before my one chance at the KD. Enjoying your perspective!

4/29/09, 7:32 AM  
Blogger rather rapid said...

KC citizens welcome here lbarge!

4/29/09, 11:02 PM  
Blogger Alida Antonia Cornelius said...

Mullins only committed the crime of helping a horse to breathe???
Read this article in the New York Times entitled "Many Derby Owners Silent on Drug Issue".

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/sports/othersports/30racing.html?th&emc=th

Come back to my blog and we can discuss more about horse racing.

4/30/09, 6:34 AM  
Blogger rather rapid said...

An RR response has been posted at Ms. Cornelius blog.

4/30/09, 10:28 AM  
Blogger Alida Antonia Cornelius said...

And I have a response to your response. I can't email you to discuss the issues, so I wonder if we should discuss it at your blog or mine?

http://t-shirtstalkandtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/

4/30/09, 2:36 PM  

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