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#1
05-11-2011, 08:14 PM
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Is it our fault?
The angels thread isn't my thread but I do what I can to keep it up to date. Same with retirements.
I want to give them one last mention cause these horses... some of them literally race themselves to death. It's a small thing. The jockeys, on the other hand, get occassional applause on this and other forums for a great ride or act but they're more likely to be slammed. I'm guilty of this... most of us are. It's the nature of the game. Most of us do appreciate them though even if we're not overly vocal. A lot of us have our favorites or our favorites to complain about as the case may be. So I was thinking about all this and how some of the ones who have problems with booze and drugs... how some of us repeatedly say they should be given another chance and another chance and another and others insist they should be punished, banned, whatever. ... and all of a sudden I wondered about the age thing. Michael Baze was a baby. So many of them are sooooo young... Is that ever questioned... if there should be some kind of age requirement, I mean? Us bleeding hearts who feel so pained for so many reasons in so many ways... are we completely missing the bigger picture here? I don't want to turn this thread into a series of me-isms but I understand the whole drug thing... I once had a very intense relationship with pain killers. I understand what it's like not to feel normal unless you get that refill... Some of these kids are so young and the trouble they get into can be a reflection of what is wrong in their lives... the underlying reason for the drugs... So as much as I love Talamo and Omar, are we allowing something to continue unquestioned that we should stop and think about? I don't think there should be 20 starters in the Derby. I wish they'd limit it to 14 or so. Having had the same thought for years now I'm a little embarrassed that I've given no regard to the athletes who risk their lives every day in terms of are some of them just too young to have such pressure... So what do you guys think? Should there be some kinda age requirement? If there is one, should it be looked at and, possibly changed? What changes, if any, need to be considered? Should there be some kind of mentorship program so these young jockeys can at least have someone to talk to that they can relate to? That might be cool for the retired jocks, especially those who have had trouble, to be available to them... Oh hell I don't know. It just seems like something needs to happen. Pressure, fame, weight, injuries, competition... if they're so young and troubled who do they really have to turn to? What do we do? How do we help? 
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#2
05-11-2011, 10:06 PM
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Isn't there already an age requirement of 16?
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#3
05-11-2011, 11:15 PM
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Jockeys learn life skills on their own
Quote:
__________________
"An Absolute Thriller!!" - Grassy wins a six-way photo finish, Saratoga 9th, 8-22-09
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#4
05-11-2011, 11:17 PM
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Quote:
Sometimes no matter what you cant save someone, and none of us can speculate as to how MC got to the place where his head was.
__________________
Horses are like strawberries....they can go bad overnight. Charlie Whittingham
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#8
05-12-2011, 10:09 AM
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Quote:
You okay? Whew... thank God. I just logged on but am sure there are a couple of other threads this morning that need the sarcasm fairy to do a fly-by and sprinkle some of your special you-people--both-annoy-and-bore-me-so here's-a-line-of-what-I-see as-wit-but-really-it's-just-bitterness dust. Hooray! * * * Thanks for posting that, Touch of Grey. This is what I was trying to say but couldn't... Many teenage jockeys who are suddenly out on their own have similar challenges that NBA or NFL rookies face. Too much money and too many undesirable hangers-on. These young riders need the same kind of guidance and advice other professional athletes are receiving. I agree with Honu and Uncle (Freddy) Mo (Mo)... c'mon you have kids. Would you throw them to the wolves at a young age and expect they'd be able to deal with all of it and well? Aaah well...
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#10
05-12-2011, 09:02 PM
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MMSC-
That was wonderful. God rest his soul and condolences to the family. Is it our fault? Its the life that they have chosen. I think that there are worse ways to make a living. We could say the same to a degree about amateur fighters, mixed martial artists or any other endeavor where little regard is given to the dangers and rigors that the performers face. Sadly, that comes with the job. I consider myself a jockey apologist. I can find an excuse for any decision a jockey makes no matter how bad it may be (kent d is my fav, go figure). At the same time, if he were to die tomorrow on the track or if it were Smokin Joe or Joel Rosario, I wouldn't feel sorry for him and i certainly wouldn't blame myself no matter the age or circumstance. They get to ride these amazing animals in front of thousands of people...for money. That sounds like a pretty decent gig to me.
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#11
05-12-2011, 09:33 PM
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Why doesn't the jockeys guild address these problems?
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#12
05-12-2011, 09:42 PM
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mmsc, baze was a baby? sorry, i disagree. he was 24, a grown man. life is difficult at times for everyone, whether you're a jock, a policeman, in sales, whatever.
everyone has to make choices in life, and then live with the consequences of those choices. this young man came from a background in the world he chose; surely he had people to help him along the way. but at some point, he chose a bad path. i'd have to say no, it's not our fault. people too seldom take responsbility for their actions; i'm not about to help anyone do that. is it a shame that he died? absolutely. i feel bad for his parents, his family, his friends. he was way too young. it's a damn shame.
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