luka$$ fading

[LARHAGE]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

it's odd, i was never a lukas fan...yet the last couple years i've been forced to defend the guy--as if his accomplishments require defending.

I used to work at a big tack store pretty close to Santa Anita, Lukas, Baffert, VanBerg and others would frequent the shop. Lukas had placed an order for a custom bit and came in person one day to pick it up. I brought it out and he could tell I was trying to figure the bit out, he smiled and explained what the bit was for and how it worked, he was always like that, very gracious and willing to go the extra mile. I always looked forward to him coming in and would chat about his horses, he is a very classy, charismatic individual. I also have nothing but fond memories of Baffert, VanBerg and Frankel, Baffert would always give us pictures of the horses, Silver Charm, Real Quiet etc.. They are just people like us , with the same feelings and emotions.

I never all of the accomplishments Lukas has. However, I do have a problem with all of the horse he ran into the ground over his career. He is great with 2 and 3 year olds, but I think we can all agree his older horse training pales in comparison. My theory for this goes back to how hard he runs his youngest horses into the ground. He also had every great horse he set his eyes bought and put into his barn for him.
It is possible to look at his career and show respect for all his accomplishments and yet at the same time hate the way he treated many horses. Of course maybe some of this has to do with his owners. If they want to see their horses great at 2 and 3 and don't care about their health or their careers past the age of 3 then Lukas had no choice.