Unbelievable spill coincidence today at GGF
 

OK, maybe not "unbelievable," but certainly more than ironic.

Some may remember in the summer of 2006 when Bay Area jockey Chance Rollins was seriously injured when his mount hit the rail and tossed him over. Very seriously injured.

I was skimming the charts midday today while the Golden Gate races were underway.

My eyes went to the bottom of the chart in the two year old maiden 4th race.

"Hit rail, lost rider" was the comment for the #1 horse who did not finish.

The name of the horse?

Rollins.

8/5 second choice burned up the money coming out of the starting gate.

Nice, fair and safe starts these gates provide. ;-)

I'm just glad this Rollins didn't hit a Tree.

what were the chances?
















i mean, what was the chance?

















i mean...


brains look for patterns. even in random noise. it's built in.


i live on the west coast. what were the odds?

Golden Gate is a death camp for horses. Never seen as many horses getting hurt as Ive seen there this meet.

That is quite eeeerie...

But what's getting lost in it, are the jock and horse ok?

By the way, I'm listening to Henry Rollins right now.

" 'CAUSE 'IM A LIAR!!!!!!"

You mean to tell Michael Dickinson that Tapeta Footings is not working?

I know this will disappoint the alarmists who don't bother with facts, but fatalities are down on the new surface at GGF and it seems to have been well received by the horseman.

"There have been four fatal injuries during races from 2,159 starters in 32 days compared to seven from 1,907 starters during Golden Gate Fields' 31-day season in similar weather Dec. 26-Feb. 11."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl.../SPPEU495Q.DTL

[quote=pmayjr]That is quite eeeerie...

But what's getting lost in it, are the jock and horse ok?

I have no source other than the replay, but it looked to me like the jockey did more of a dismount than being badly thrown. It also looked like the horse brushed the rail and likely was OK.

But again, those observations are just from seeing the replay at the beginning of the race.

It was quite a few strides out of the gate when it happened. It was at the gap that the horse bore in.

As far as GGF, i was down there a few weeks ago, talked to alot of horseman and they all to a T, were praising the surface. the fields sure look bigger there as well.

Michael Wrona even praised the surface by saying "Even when its rainy out i can see the silks on the closers cause there is no mud"

Synthetics even helping us on the roof!!

Two-year-old maiden races - barely controlled chaos, entropy in action. I shut my eyes and hope everyone comes home safe.