Do you think PETA would be interested?

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by eajinabi

Actually I remebered it hppening in 2005 in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.
Jerry Bailey was aboard Nobles Causeway and he felt those horse was not right in the post parade and requested it to be scratched. The horse was scratched and Nick Zito was furious at bailey for even suggesting it.

Turns out ZIto enters him back a week later with a new jock and the horse instantly injures himself right after the start.

Let's not forget Rags to Riches pulling up lame in her workout. But they refused to give her time off or retire her because they were going to run her in the Breeder's Cup no matter what. It was no surprise when she fractured her ankle in her next race. Luckily she survived.

Alot of the stuff that goes on in this business is absolutely disgraceful. If they banned all drugs, the number of breakdowns would decrease dramatically because sore horses would be able to feel pain and they would protect themselves.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

Alot of the stuff that goes on in this business is absolutely disgraceful. If they banned all drugs, the number of breakdowns would decrease dramatically because sore horses would be able to feel pain and they would protect themselves.

I think that is the big secret in racing and could not agree more with that statement.

[pgiaco]

Wow, I can't believe the vet overruled the jock. I was under the impression that, at least in NY, the vet has to defer to the rider. I had that mutt Bridgmohan scratch one at the gate on me at Saratoga last year and was told by the Doc that his hands were tied by the rider's decision.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by pgiaco

Wow, I can't believe the vet overruled the jock. I was under the impression that, at least in NY, the vet has to defer to the rider. I had that mutt Bridgmohan scratch one at the gate on me at Saratoga last year and was told by the Doc that his hands were tied by the rider's decision.

I don't believe it either.

[ninetoone]

the vet can't force Smith to ride can he?

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by ninetoone

the vet can't force Smith to ride can he?

no but even as someone metioned here Zito was furious at Bailey when he scratched a horse, and that was jerry freaking bailey not someone who struggles to get mounts.

I highly doubt anyone would admit to any of this.

[Rupert Pupkin]

I got some more information on the incident today. From what I heard, Mike Smith did not actually ask the vet to scratch the horse. He did ask the vet to take a look at the horse because he thought that the horse felt a little off. So he basically asked the vet her opinion. She said that she thought the horse looked alright.

You can't necessarily blame the vet for the incident. There are sore horses running every day and most of them don't break down. In addition, it's not an exact science and this horse may not have looked too bad. Sometimes the jockey can feel something that's very subtle that may not be visible to most observers.