5th at FairGrounds
 

Happened to be sitting around watching HRTV this afternoon. 5th at FG was on tap. Announcers Ball and Hazelton were admiring the classic drop Amoss was making with a Moss horse - "...took him for $25k last out and, they don't mess around - they're going for the win with this one while dropping in for $5k."

8/5 on the board - the horse made it to the far turn before breaking down. Another one went down over him.

Hard to imagine Moss/Amoss dropped this horse because he was sound. I'd like to see both get fined for taking the risk with the horse and the jock, not to mention the other one that went down. I know you can't prove they did anything wrong, but.......

Hated seeing it even more when viewing the chart - someone dropped a slip on him......

It is hard to legislate morality but you'd like to see the same announcers call someone out after something like this happens. the biggest problem with horse racing media in general is that the cry wolf about stupid (and wrong( things and ignore obvious deals like this.

Agree ! But you know they would never state the obvious in a case like this because they've got to keep their heads up the big trainer's and owner's bunghole so they can get those wonderful, insightful interviews.

Could have been that the horse was sound as all get out and never showed a pimple and they just REALLY wanted that $9600 from the purse and the $5k from the claim - right?

Interesting

Maggi Moss Claimed Silver Nat for 25K on Oct 30
Chart

On Dec 13 ran him in the 50K Lousiania Champions Day Starter Handicap where he finished 5 of 6
Chart

Then today runs him for a 5K tag and was claimed.
Chart

I wonder if Edward Johnston and Joe Rink ever checked the charts before filling out the slip?

(a year ago today he won at Fairgrounds)

Ok I am sorry, this may sound mean, but I dont feel sorry for someone that puts a claim in on a horse like this. Ray Charles could see something was seriously wrong here. Whats the saying "If it seems to good to be true, it is to good to be true"?

No need to apologize, and I don't think you sounded mean at all. Until you've eaten one or two like this one, it is kind of hard to be somewhat sympathetic.

When you play the claiming game, you know that if you go digging, you're going to get burned at some point. I could see why someone took a chance on the horse. Sometimes you simply take the chance of calling someone's bluff. If there's nothing wrong with the horse, and by running for $5k he becomes eligible for starters, it's a brilliant move by the owner if he/she can slide the horse by.

Claiming is not for the faint of heart, that's for sure.

Not that I fundamentally disagree with you, but who's going to fine them, the State whose vet OK'd the horse to race?