Just this weekend, Jacky Martin who was supposed to ride the favorite Ochoa in the All American Futurity (the biggest Quarter Horse race in the World) tomorrow was injured and is in serious condition and paralyzed (although the paralysis could go away when the swelling goes down). There where rumors that he had passed away, but they had turned out to be false. Today at Del Mar, Burns who had upset Midnight Interlude in their previous race was fatally injured in the Del Mar Derby. His jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who has come back from the lowest of lows was also injured.
People where concerned about Havre de Grace running in the Woodward for what happend three years before in the Kentucky Derby. That's when her connections sent out Eight Belles who had finished second in the race, only to break down after the wire and was euthanized. Thankfully, all the horses in the Woodward, including Grace game back safe and sound.
Hopefully tomorrow's races go off without a hitch, with all the riders and horses comeing back in one piece.
People where concerned about Havre de Grace running in the Woodward for what happend three years before in the Kentucky Derby. That's when her connections sent out Eight Belles who had finished second in the race, only to break down after the wire and was euthanized. Thankfully, all the horses in the Woodward, including Grace game back safe and sound.
Hopefully tomorrow's races go off without a hitch, with all the riders and horses comeing back in one piece.
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece!! I like you am always fearful of a tragic accident. I did not hear of the accident today at Del Mar. Tragic. These animals love to run but I have been known to go home after an accident. While I know connections try to put safety first, I don't like this part of the sport.
Rachel: the US has a much higher breakdown rate than most other racing jurisdictions. Much debate over the cause(s), but no denying the fact.
ReplyDeleteThat's true. However, breakdowns do happen everywhere. In Europe, Rewilding whose half sister is Dar Re Mi broke down in his first start since Dubai and sadly had to be euthnazied.
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