Santa Anita Injuries; Trainers meet, complain

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by GPK

So the horses that are scoping this residue in their lungs after working and racing on this surface are secondary to the breakdowns or other injuries?? Interesting concept.

I'm not sure why you're selling this mysterious "residue" being found post-race in the airways as a necessarily significant, or even unexpected, development. Horses (particularly those in behind other horses for the better part of a race) scope with particles of the track surface (dirt or otherwise) in their airways on a regular basis.

[Cannon Shell]

One of the problems with discussing things like breakdowns and track surfaces is that there are so many factors that affect these things that the reality is that you just cant make an accurate judgement unless you are actually training or riding over the surface. Track officials wouldnt know the difference between a safe track and a dirt path, The trackman usually is overly defensive. The trainers and sometimes vets of horses who brokedown can be critical to pass the blame away from them. Some jockeys have a good opinion but the majority wouldnt know the difference. It is all a matter of opinion except in extreme cases. Counting the number of breakdowns or lack of breakdowns is not really that accurate since there are many, many other issues involved. The game was better off before people knew about medication issues(although most of what is 'known' is wrong) or payed any attention to breakdowns. Not because either was acceptable but because neither is easily understood or explained away. The public will never be satisfied that the game is clean or that tracks are safe.

[Cannon Shell]

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/48670.htm

So first hind toe grabs were bad but now they are good? This whole thing makes my head hurt....

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/48670.htm

So first hind toe grabs were bad but now they are good? This whole thing makes my head hurt....

they seem as 'with it' as the bc folks.....seem to recall that woodbine banned, and then re-allowed, toe grabs.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Danzig

they seem as 'with it' as the bc folks.....seem to recall that woodbine banned, and then re-allowed, toe grabs.

The myth of those dangerous toe grabs.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

The myth of those dangerous toe grabs.

i'm beginning to really wonder just how much the powers that be at these tracks really know about anything.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i'm beginning to really wonder just how much the powers that be at these tracks really know about anything.

They dont know much but really dont know a thing about horses. The study that is used as the gold standard in banning toe grabs is old and flawed. The funny thing is that supposedly the main evil of toe grabs is that it stops the natural slide of a horses foot when it strikes the ground. Yet we are told that synthetic tracks are safer however they also prohibit the natural slide of the horses foot. Call me crazy but toe grabs didnt seem to be a big problem for horses at anytime in history yet when we banned them we have seen virtually no change in breakdown rates and in some places an increase. (though most breakdown numbers are statistically irrelevant)

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i'm beginning to really wonder just how much the powers that be at these tracks really know about anything.

Don't wonder too hard.

The answer is very close to nil.