JC / Railbird

Distaffers

Pletcher: “Closed” Doors Troubling

Trainer Todd Pletcher has issued a statement in advance of the KHRC Life at Ten report due today. After recounting the events at the Breeders’ Cup and the investigation that followed the mare’s poor showing, he gets to the point:

What we don’t know are the contents of the “Report” which is scheduled to be presented to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission today because our request for a copy was declined. What we also don’t know is why this presentation is being made to the Commission behind “closed” doors where the public is excluded. This is a troubling approach and may be ignoring fundamental due process principles.

Wait, the report isn’t being presented publicly? That is disturbing …

The Paulick Report will attend the meeting and live blog whatever is released.

6:30 PM Update: The KHRC meeting may have been closed to the public, but the complete report is available for reading (PDF via TT). You can find the summary recommendations here (PDF). A couple notable quotes: “Many of the participants seemed to be waiting for someone else to take action” … “It is clear a communication breakdown contributed to this controversy” … “All three Stewards regretted their lack of action in this matter.”

Posted in Racing on March 10, 2011 / Tagged Breeders' Cup, Distaffers, Kentucky, KHRC, Life At Ten, Todd Pletcher

Azeri’s Daughter

Arienza is off to a promising start after winning her debut following a strong gate work at Oaklawn. “Well, she looked like her mother this morning.”

Posted in Racing on March 8, 2011 / Tagged Arienza, Azeri, Breeding, Debuts, Distaffers, High Hopes, Horse of the Year

Next for Switch

Trainer John Sadler tells DRF his plans for the Santa Monica winner:

Switch’s future is in longer races, Sadler said on Sunday. He plans to start Switch in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on March 12, and perhaps in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 15. His long-term goal is a start in the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs in November. “We’re looking at six or seven races this year,” Sadler said.

Watching her last race, longer doesn’t seem a problem.

Posted in Racing on February 2, 2011 / Tagged California, Changing of the Guard, Confirming Zenyatta's Quality, Distaffers, Switch

Painful Perfection

Brian Zipse asks why Blind Luck gets a pass that Rachel Alexandra didn’t:

I understand that Rachel was held to a higher standard, as the reigning Horse of the Year, but to what end? Have we become so expecting of perfection of our stars, that they simply can not live up to them. Do we not allow ourselves to fully enjoy the special ones, because of these expectations?

Simply, yes.

There’s something about repeated brilliance that inspires a fear of loss (a fear not specific to racing). It’s sentimental. We can’t stand to lose the magic.

Posted in Racing on January 26, 2011 / Tagged Blind Luck, Distaffers, Fans, Perfection, Psychology, Rachel Alexandra, Sports