TC Training Summary

This blog somewhat followed the TC races in terms of training to extent info was available. Seemed there was less coverage this year--the state of horse racing or perhaps continued obliviousness to what matters by many in the sport. The blog followed only a few horses, Animal Kingdom, Mucho Macho Man, Shackelford, to some extent.

The analysis pretty much followed the performances although there were surprises. The first of these--the Animal Kingdom Derby--should have been snarfed out before hand. AK was racing against an under trained field with slightly superior to the field prep in that particular race and as by far the most talented galloper in the field. AKs athleticism and stride fluidity and efficiency in my view ranks right up there with better horses. It was because of that natural ability that AK was able to hang on through the Preakness through truly inexplicable preparation by his connections, and then we saw the probable outcome of lack of intelligent prep come forth in the Belmont, although possibly the bad step was the precipitating factor in AK's injury. I choose to believe the injury resulted from dumb training while of course we never really know.

What we do know is that appropriately trained horses rarely come up with these freak injuries, and this year we could include Nehro in that, Arch Arch Arch and probably half the fields whose injury reports likely will come out eventually(Edit: Dialed In).

A few points of interest:

Eddie Kenneally about May 5 announcing re Santiva "he's fit and ready to go"--as famous last words that are almost 100% of the time a kiss of death for these types of trainers. The correct translation--we're declining to do anything else at all with the horse right into the race.

Uncle Mo as predicted by Bill Pressey many weeks ago failing to make it. Do you really have to withdraw a horse from the Derby that's looking as good as MO was due to a slight infection? My guess is that the whole thing was grossly overblown although unknown. You can speculate for reasons unknown they were looking for an excuse to withdraw, or that things may have been precisely as they said.

Of most interest to me besides the exact track work of AK was Mucho Macho Man with the trainer lady proclaiming before the Preakness, "bring it on, he's ready". Contrast that thought with Eddie Kenneally's. Different concept, and MMM did seemingly train right up to the races, but a little sadly the training was in certain significant respects inappropriate, and if you're skilled reading between the lines this lady lacked the detail orientation to produce a good result. Too bad because with her heart problems, her heart is in the right place. I think possibly you have to have a little more direct involvement with athletics to have full understanding of correct prep. MMM was a missed opportunity. I believe with appropriate speed training, rest in the right place, better shoeing, that horse might have smoked this T.C. field, and again, this is wild guessing.

The single biggest training impact that I saw this year was that "soft is in". Or was. I think this was coincidence and surely there are intelligent young trainers/owners or would bes that snarf out the deficiencies of most of these stables, compare to Nafzger etc., which might explain the mystery of Kelly Breen and Ruler on Ice.

Training:
Wed. 6/22: started out badly as a herd of deer crossed into the tree line where our galloping starts. The horse saw them which for him means severe panic ahead. So, we had to shorten the galloping, but a break through. 5 times trot gallop up and down the hill, and we did get a for the first time a few strides of decently fast. Should be doing speed work by the weekend.
Thurs. June 23: took this day off with view to going 3 straight days starting Fri.