The Harsh Side of Racing

When I go to the racetrack, I say a little prayer for myself that all of the horses and jockeys return safe and sound. Most of the time it does work, but sometimes it doesn't.

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.

Some Fighting Words

After his win in the Shoemaker Mile aboard 2009 BC Mile runner up Courageous Cat, jockey Patrick Valenzuela threw down the gaulent to the Europeans. Primarly three time defending champion Goldikova.

Here is what he said from the DRF:

“I can almost guarantee he’ll win the Breeders’ Cup Mile, even if they bring that filly over.”

Really PVal? Really? Now of course Valenzuela has had his issues along the years and did ride Sunday Silence to a win in the Classic. Still, calling out Goldikova when she is (sadly) not even the best miler in Europe anymore? That's distrespect to Frankel and Canford Cliffs, the later who just defeated Goldi at Royal Ascot and the former who is undefeated in his career.

To read the rest of the article click here.

Never the less, I think those words will come back to haunt him. What if somehow (and at this point I find it doubtful) that Gio Ponti finds his form? While the 3yo's on dirt stink, there are some pretty good ones who have found a home on the grass including SA Derby winner Midnight Interlude. Don't forget about Sidney's Candy (although he's going for a dirt campagin to start off with out east), and others who might pop up throughout the year. Sure Animal Kingdom is out for the year and Soldat probley won't be ready for the Mile, but heck there could even be another filly in the race if Summer Soiree continues her love of the turf.

Lets just hope PVal didn't curse CC.