JC / Railbird

The Old Ways

Before Lasix

Earl Ola on how training used to be:

The best horses would often work the full distance of an upcoming race five or six days before, breeze a half-mile two days out, and maybe even an eighth of a mile the morning of the race. As but one example, three days before Assault finished off the Triple Crown, Max Hirsch sent the colt out for a 12-furlong breeze in 2:32 at Belmont Park. Allen Jerkins opined, “If you’re not breezing, you’re bleeding.”

Pithy. But even Jerkins’ horses work in the modern way. See: Emma’s Encore.

Posted in Racing on October 9, 2012 / Tagged Drugs in Racing, Lasix, Raceday Medications, The Old Ways, Training