Shoeing for shin-hitters

I got a call recently from a concerned Hoof Beats reader. He said he had a 3-year-old trotter who breaks only in the turns, hitting above his shin. To find an answer, I sent an e-mail to Steve Stanley, author of Shoeing News, the Hoof Beats monthly shoeing column. Here is an excerpt of what Steve wrote:

"I would try to use a longer shoe on the hind feet. Possibly even double trailers. This is a starting point.

I would also take a hard look at the horses hoof angles to see if there is a reason to change them. That requires one to look at the horse because a proper hoof angle can vary from horse to horse and in some cases even from right to left leg on the same horse.

Hitting high on the shin is a tricky one so I definitely would like to see the horse before giving potentially damaging advice. I also think it best to try the changes on only the front OR the rear shoes/hooves at a time. Making wholesale changes to both ends at once(unless something obvious is there) can just create more problems.

The second thing to look at is how that horse is breaking over on the front feet. This could easily be the primary cause but trying the double trailer ind shoe is less risky to the horses overall gait and performance."

Hope this helps! Like Steve said above, it's tough to give shoeing advice without seeing the individual horse, but there are certain fixes that could work in most cases. Just remember, try ONE thing at a time, or you won't know what worked and what didn't!

TJB

Passailed to retire (again)

I got a call from Pat Chella, owner of Passailed. You may remember Passailed from a July horse profile in Hoof Beats. He's the Abercrombie horse who retired for six years to become a sire in Quebec, then came back to the track. Here's the story:

http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=32772&z=43

Chella told me that Passailed had been racing competitively at Northfield Park. (In fact, I had seen him race live on Oct. 29 when I was there. He had the 8-hole and was 55-1, but I bet him anyway because I would have kicked myself if he had hit the board.) Thus far he's raced 26 times in 2009 with three wins and more than $13,000 in purses.

Passailed is going to retire from the track again, Cello said. This time he was purchased by Dr. Guy Hammond and will stand at Steuben Farms in Bath, N.Y, for $750. Passailed will have a send-off ceremony at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Nov. 28, and will go to Dr. Hammond's farm after that.

"I'm excited," Chella said. "I always thought he had some good stud potential. He's still got a lot of horses racing at Flamboro."

Passailed is an Abercrombie out of an Albatross mare, so here's hoping he brings to New York some more of the success that made that golden cross famous.

"Some of these grassroots guys on the fair circuit and in the late-closers need horses they can afford and Passailed fits that bill really nice," said Hammond. "He's a 13-year-old workhorse and that's what these guys on the fair circuit are looking for."

Have a happy Thanksgiving! TJB

Happy Birthday Ken

I hope you will all join me in wishing Happy Birthday to Ken Weingartner, my wonderful co-worker at Harness Racing Communications.

Ken is one of those people you feel lucky to know—who makes your day brighter. Our relationship is made even better by the fact that as much as we both love harness racing is as much as we also love the Philadelphia Phillies, and every year we make it a point to hit Citizens Bank Park for a Phillies game.

Ken is a terrific writer and more prolific than most of us can imagine. Be it Web stories, his weekly Web column, Hoof Beats stories, his great “Foal Patrol” series, we can always count on him to give us quality and quantitiy. Look for yet another Weingartner feature in the January issue of Hoof Beats on Lucky Jim. I know he will do a great job, as usual!

 

Treasured forever

Sad news today from New York. The star of the October 2009 issue, Treasure Blue Chip, was euthanized at the age of 34. She was featured in a beautiful story written by Ellen Harvey with gorgeous photos taken by equine photographer Barbara Livingston.

You can see the story here: http://www.hoofbeatsmagazine.com/pdf/oct09/Treasuring_Treasure_Oct09.pdf

To live to 34 is amazing, and I am so happy that we had a chance to tell her story before she passed on. It was truly a race against time, as we were nervous that she might not make it until the story was published.

The full blow of horse mortality hit me today as I was editing "Greener Pastures," Hoof Beats' annual tribute to those horses who have left us. This year we lost such standouts as Amour Angus, Ralph Hanover, Beach Towel, Baltic Speed, Steinam and Conch. Many of these horses are to be memorialized in the words of those who knew them best in the December issue. I found the most touching to be from Marcia Hamilton on Baltic Speed, who she groomed during his fantastic racing career. Stay tuned for that.

Perhaps the most surprising loss was that of Snow White, the filly trotting phenom who was almost ready to make a glorious comeback from a host of injuries when she was euthanized after a fatal colic attack. Nicole interviewed Curtis Larrimore for the December issue, and it amazed me how close he seemed to be to her.

After reading these stories, it's hard to consider harness racing a "sport" with the horses merely commodities. Even though technological advances such as Trackus have reduced living, breathing animals to dots on a screen, it's refreshing, albeit bittersweet, to read the memories of those who lost the horses with which they were so close every day.

TJB

What About Those Crowns?

I couldn’t wait to come in this morning and talk to everyone about the Breeders Crowns—some great races, some big upsets, some disappointments. It was great to see Muscle Hill go out like that, especially since the BC has proved a stumbling block for so many other trotting champions. What a great year he had—it is sad to see him go. Well Said, on the other hand, had his share of challenges this year, and I was so disappointed to see him struggle in the Crown. His Jug performance left me breathless, and I wish we could have seen the same horse come out Saturday, but it was not to be.

Reports from the USTA staffers “on the ground” said Crown night was cold and blustery, and it seems the greatest shame comes from having the weather be perhaps a contributing factor in determining year-end championships. When the races are at the Meadowlands, the lateness of the season has been a factor; in Canada it’s the impact of the Great White North’s climate. Wonder how that will change when the races head to Pocono next year?

What do you think? E-mail me at nkraft@ustrotting.com so we can talk.

BTW, have you seen Adam Bowden’s blog where he is soliciting suggestions for whom to next breed Loyal Opposition? —some unique ideas are coming out.

http://innerworkingsofabreedingfarm.blogspot.com/

Have a great day,

Nicole

 

Mystery Photo SOLVED

On the Hoof Beats Web site, we asked you to identify the horse, people and date in the above photo. Thank you to all who responded. Here are some of the guesses:

Driver: Del Insko (3 votes), Bucky Day

Track: Washington Park (IL), Rockingham Park, Yonkers Raceway

Horse: Overtrick

I spoke with the reader who submitted this photo, Alice Szpila-Tisbert, and she said it's Splendid Splinter, with actress Sally Field in the bike, at Rockingham Park. The driver is "Butch" Tisbert, and the groom holding the horse is Bruce Aldrich. The date is still unknown. Thanks for playing!

Muscle Hill wins!

I don’t know how a horse could make it look easier. Muscle Hill took the lead right off the gate, floated clear by four lengths past the quarter, and trotted home six lengths in front to win the Kentucky Futurity. It was a view of greatness, for sure.

Greg Peck looked visibly relieved after seeming a bit tense earlier in the day. And Tom Pontone once again hugged and kissed all he could find, so happy was he.

Brian Sears said he was going to talk to Greg and the owners about racing Muscle Hill next week if the weather is good, because he truly believes the colt can break the 1:50 mark, and I don’t think anyone doubts him. If only the weather had been a bit more cooperative—the wind simply made it too much of a challenge. And that’s not to mean that Muscle Hill still couldn’t have done it—I am certain he could. But Brian was understandably not taking any chances. And who can blame him.

George Brennan just drove the last winner on the day—Shark Gesture in 1:49.2. What a great day of racing.

Breathtaking

There was about $18,500 bet in the win pool for the second elim of the first Futurity heat—and $18,200 was bet on Muscle Hill. And Muscle Hill did n not disappoint, winning easily, with virtually no encouragement from Brian Sears. He “only” trotted in 1:52.3, but his easy was simply breathtaking.

The crowd was on his feet as Muscle Hill made his way back to the detention barn, applauding heartily, and Greg Peck waving to the crowd just got them more excited.

The wind is starting to pick up again, and it will be at the drivers’ backs in the stretch if it stays in this direction. When he interviewed Brian Sears after the race, announcer Sam McKee said he expected he would be talking to Brian again in about an hour, indicating he’d do so when Muscle Hill wins the final. Now that is confidence!

Mr Muscleman just paraded in a retirement tribute. Adam Victor Jr. just said that they are still trying to get him into the Kentucky Horse Park. Right now Western Dreamer and Staying Together are the Standardbred representative.

Muscle Hill draws the rail in the Futurity final, and Russell Hill and Airzoom Lindy both scratch out. Ron Pierce picked Explosive Matter over Big Bikkies, who will be driven by Jim Morrill Jr.

 

25.4!

Rock N Roll Heaven just came his last quarter in 25.4 to with a Bluegrass division. Granted it was “wind aided,” but still—that’s amazing. And this colt has already finished second in two sub 1:50 miles. As trainer Bruce Saunders said, “You have to pinch yourself to remember these are 2-year-olds.”

It’s great to see Bruce Saunders with a top colt. I worked with him in the 1989 when he trained my horse Best Of Dani, and just loved his sense of humor and professionalism.

Of course Bruce was in the harness new last year for a whole other connection—he is formerly the brother-in-law of Joe Biden, our nation’s vice president, having once been married to Biden’s sister, Valerie.

Bruce, who also trained Misfit and Casimir Camotion, says Rock N Roll Heaven is done for the year since he is not Breeders Crown eligible.

Looking for Nails

We just went out to present the trophy for the “Hoof Beats Pace,” race 3 at The Red Mile, won by Big Bad Bosley and George Brennan. We were joined walking across the track to the winner’s circle by trackman Dan Coons, who goes out to look at hoof prints in the dirt to see how horse are getting over the track.

“Look for the nails,” he said. “The hoof prints look good if you can see the nails.”

We saw plenty of nails in the cascade of prints along the fiery red dirt, and Dan said the track was in great shape.

“With weather like this,” he said, “any track can be in great shape.”

Harness Horse Youth Foundation is being saluted today and drivers are giving a percentage of their earnings to the HHYF. One of the best elements of that feature is that HHYF ponies lead the post parade, with Chris Ryder and a young member of the Harness Racing Youth League. So far we have seen the next generation of Kimelmans (Blue Chip Farms), Svensson (blacksmith Conny) and Antonacci (the legendary Lindy Farms family). The future looks good!

Anyone seeking to join the driver and support the HHYF efforts can visit www.hhyf.org.

Nicole

Futurity Morning

We had a great fashion show at Lexington this morning with Greg Peck and Ron Gurfein. Greg was receiving numerous compliments on his black Red Mile jacket, personalized with Muscle Hill’s name, given to him by the track. Smoking a cigar in Gurfein’s shedrow at 11 a.m., he looked far from relaxed, but I imagine he won’t be able to feel calmer until after Muscle Hill proves himself today.

Gurfein got in on the fashion act, as well, as the Hall of Fame trainer broke out a reversible polo jacket—black and white quilt. It was quite stunning—but Ronnie has always been one of racing’s snazziest dressers.

It is a beautiful day in Lexington today, with a blue, cloudless sky and an autumn breeze lifting the flags toward the finish line. Many are buzzing with talk of Muscle Hill, but next week’s sale is also a big topic. We heard that yearling viewing has been brisk, and the Ohio Select Sale’s success is a good sign. I saw Bruce Brinkerhoff of the Lexington Select Sale Company and asked his thoughts. Though he was not sure the numbers would be as strong as last year, he believes the sale will still have good strength based on the quality of yearlings and the great purses now available.

And although the Thoroughbreds had real challenges at their sale last week, the fact that we don’t rely on multi-million dollar purchases to drive our numbers will certainly bode better for the Standardbreds.

Walking through the Lexington backstretch is always magical, but there was also a slap of reality when we walked past the banner for Troy Sylvester hanging above the Sylvester shedrow: “Gone but not forgotten.” So true.

Nicole

Red Mile visits

What an amazing experience it is walk around The Red Mile and see so many great racing personalities. We spent a blustery morning on the backstretch today, after a rain-soaked drive from Columbus.

Our first stop was to Steve Elliott’s barn, where the Jug blanket of roses is in full display and the Jug blanket hangs with great pride. Well Said was having a hind shoe tacked on when we got there, and looking at him you would be hard pressed to find any flaw on his absolutely beautiful and sculpted body. He looks as fit and glossy as a horse could be—no doubt in big part to the care he receives from Steve’s assistant trainer, Toni Rose. Toni is an amazing person and an even more amazing horsewoman, and how much she loves Well Said is clear in her every moment with the colt. Getting to stroke his satiny neck and look up close into the eye of  such a champion was a thrill of the morning.

But it wasn’t the only thrill. We next stopped by Greg Peck’s barn where we watched Muscle Hill getting a bath after his jog session. He looks terrific—alert, in great form, ears up and happy. Greg Peck looked a little tired, and he admitted he was ready for his wife, Nancy, to arrive tomorrow. Great horses, a wonderful wife, successful and charming kids (son Sean has a 4.0 GPA in high school and Brendan has become a media star)—what doesn’t this guy have?!

Muscle Hill’s groom, Sylvia, is home with a cold or flu, and we certainly hope for her a speedy recovery. We know she does not want to miss tomorrow’s festivities.

Mark Hall and I spent a few minutes with Holiday Road, the Peter Haughton winner, who Greg Peck said is done for the year. The powerful son of Yankee Glide (who has a positively towering head) was staring out the window when we first passed his stall, but he soon came over to say hello, shake his head and even take a nip or two at us.

The day has turned quite lovely, with big puffy clouds amid blue sky, and a fast track to compliment the top filly trotters battling for the Filly Futurity crown. Ah, Lexington. There is nothing like it.

Nicole

Going to Lexington

Friday the Hoof Beats crew heads to Lexington to cover the Grand Circuit racing, most notably the Kentucky Filly Futurity on Friday and the Kentucky Futurity on Saturday. We'll have video recaps of both days' features and a photo feature in the November issue of Hoof Beats. Also, stay tuned for blog posts from the front.

I'm looking forward to this year's trip because it feels like it has been so long since I've been there. Last year I came down for the first week, but my brother (who is not involved in harness racing) decided to have his wedding on Futurity Day. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when I called to get the results and found out that there had been such an exciting third-heat raceoff, but it was a beautiful wedding nonetheless.

This year I'll make it a point to be there trackside for this year's trotting classic. I'm just hoping that the weather is warm (and dry) enough for Muscle Hill to really show how fast he can trot. I was there when Giant Diablo trotted in 1:50.1, when Snow White trotted in 1:52.4 and when Somebeachsomewhere paced in 1:46.4, so if there is any place to stop a clock, it's Lexington!

Good racing, and hope to see you there! TJB

HB Story Idea

George Rood asked: Why doesn't Hoof Beats do an article on the most dominant ownership operation in racing--Bulletproof Enterprises. They are like a big mystery that no one dares talk about. They are involved in every major race, but no one knows who they are--just some group hidden away in Florida. How about telling the fans who these guys are and what drives this operation?

Answer: Thanks for the suggestion. We will certainly consider it.

 

 

 

Following Fall

I seems like fall has jumped into central Ohio, and I am not sure we are ready. The rainy Jug was certainly an unwelcome distraction. I just spoke with Marilyn Jenne, a longtime Jug fan and visitor, and she lamented that the rain impacted her ability to suit in her box to watch great racing and to socialize—two great joys of the Delaware. It was, of course, still a great day of racing, and Well Said made sure the 2009 Jug was memorable. How about the Ron Pierce—he was as happy as I have ever seen him after a race. You’d think it was his first win, not his fourth. I was so glad to see him celebrating with the fans—it made the event even more special—and I  wish more drivers realized showing their emotion helps everyone get more involved with the race and the winner!

Kudos to the HB staff for getting the Jug in our October issues. Truth be told, our deadline to get to the printer was Wednesday, Sept. 23, but I simply could not face an October book without the Jug. So we worked late into Thursday night (the Delaware fairgrounds are really dark at 10:30 p.m.) and from sun up to sun down Friday to get our story and photos together. We hope you agree it was worth it!

We are looking forward to heading to Lexington at the end of the week, though preliminary reports say the rain will be following us down there. I hope we can get one last burst of summer, so Muscle Hill has every chance to show how fast he is. There are few places more glorious than Lexington on a fast fall Saturday!

Have a great day!

Nicole

Campbell Speaks to Full House

John Campbell closed the USTA Speaker Series with a capacity crowd. He was asked about his induction into the Canadian Sports Hall. “Everything I am is from my parents. My dad taught two people the horse business—me and my brother Jim. Jim was leading trainer and I was leading driver. Pretty good sire percentage.” He admitted his mother was disappointed when he quit school but she was supportive. She thought he should always go where competition the highest. John “hit the lottery” when he met and fell in love with wife, Paula. His schedule takes him all over the place to race every summer for past 25 years. She never complains. “She was the quarterback of family life for all these years.”

When Niatross was in Jug in 1980, it was his first time to Delaware. Ed Lohmeyer, Shelly Goudreau and he were flying in from New Jersey and got messed up with flights. They chartered small plane from Cincinnati just to watch Niatross go. Very special. Next year all 3 of them were in Jug. Eddie and I fell down in first heat, and Shelly fell down in 2^nd heat. Next Jug was Merger, and I owned and trained him. Just getting around the track was special. Certainly Life Sign, phenomenal performance. I was awestruck by his race and the crowd. Everyone knew they saw something special. One of most thrilling moments in my career.

Talked about Showherthemoney. Not surprised she won 2^nd heat after way she won the 1^st. Very unusual for a horse to lose that much ground and still win.

Are you in favor of heat racing: I am here. Gotten away from heat racing. Only couple places for it.. I was in favor of changing the Hambletonian. It’s a different venue. I am in favor of doing it the way they do it here now. That might change in the future if we aren’t drawing top horses. We didn’t last year but did this year. Have to make adjustments if it make a pattern that top horses don’t come. If don’t get top horses for fans to see and be close to, we will lose luster of the event. We have to go for more money here. In any business it all comes down to money. If you put up enough money they will race down Highway 23.

When he was asked how to be successful in business, he advocated working for someone who is successful and seeing how they do things.

To keep horses racing after age 3. He would like that, but recognizes challenge. Somebeachsomewhere and Dewyecheatumnhowe perfect examples. Both worth $8, million-$10 million. Big risk to come back at 4. If not successful, value can plummet in matter of three races. Can’t put enough purse money  up to make it worth coming back.

Problem with our industry is so fragmented. Can’t get jurisdictions to agree on rules. He is in favor of keeping lines in each hand.

First elim is lighter—missed top 2-year-old of year. Won’t be that easy when get out there. Chance to drive Keep It Real first in Mohawk overnight. I didn’t want to be tough on him. Got him in a bad spot. He had a lot of pace. Had to check him 2 or 3 times in stretch. Had a little problem with foot. He was sound and easy to drive. I expect him to do well. Not sure if that’s enough. He is a  gifted and talented horse. Hope he can build on that.

Longshot in 2^nd elim—Born To Rockn Roll. A man’s got to know his limitations—same here. Can’t overdrive this horse., Have to find shortest way around. Hope something up front that’s suicidal. Hope he can pick up pieces. He is owned in Ohio. I know it s dream to have horse in the Jug for these people.

Well Said: class of this division. Post 8 is detriment. Not think he was strong in last win as he was earlier. Great gaited, fine looking. If he gets any break at all going into first turn, he is the one to beat.

Vintage Master gotten better as the year as gone on. I hope they get into an argument on the front.

Favorite horse is Argyle Chester. “Born on John’s 11^th birthday, his grandmother owned him and gave him half. He became an invitational pacer. You can’t image the thrill going to see that horse with my grandmother.

Offset gate: Been discussed. I have mixed feelings. Go back to tradition. I like it the way it is. It helps a horse. Reason people get excited having the rail at Delaware.

Standardbred Retirement Foundation. Very proud of my wife and Judy Bokman for starting it 20 years ago. Sent out 200 horses—found homes. Have 130 on waiting list. We need to address this issue. They should be  funded better by industry. We have to take responsibility.

Favorite track and how many years drive: Meadowlands, hard to argue that. Had a bit of luck there. Love [Delaware] and The Red Mile. I evaluate driving every year. As long as I am getting opportunity to drive a lot of the stakes and I am healthy, I will continue. Schedule not the same in winter. Only drive Friday and Saturday in January, February and March. Keep you sharp.

Murray Brown appointed him commissioner of harness racing. Asked what he would fix. John said he would streamline licensing for owners and make universal rules, for which he received resounding applause. Long laundry list have to address. Have to get people back to tracks, but what would we do with them? Have to address how fans are treated, educated to racing, how information fed to them, food and services. We have driven millions out of Meadowlands with food and service. We want to get them there, but we have figure out first what we will do once we get them there.

Will not retire back to Canada. Daughters and grandchildren in New Jersey and likely Florida in winter.

What’s future of Meadowlands: We will have horses when we open. Comes back to money. We don’t have purse money and that’s why field are short. Even with all its problems, only place can still handle big bettors with large pools. Everyone hoping we get slots in New Jersey. If we don’t, I think New Jersey racing is in serious jeopardy.

 

Notes from USTA Speaker Series

Steve Elliott and Ron Pierce are at the USTA Speaker Series. Pierce as asked which horse are you most worried about: “I’m going to look over as we leave out and see what’s going on.” Track is in “super tip-top shape.” Pierce talked about how drivable Well Said is: “He’s a classy colt, a great attitude, does anything you want to do with him. He gives 110-percent. Who should be favorite. Pierce said Well Said.

Both are very confident in Well Said’s ability, despite bad draw.

Murray Brown of Hanover Shoe Farms remembered looking at Well Said as a yearling. Not surprised colt ended up so good. He remembered hearing from Steve in February of Donato Hanover’s 2-year-old year that he was the best trotter ever trained. Asked same of well said. Steve said he was always good, but he was stupid. He would shy and jump all over the place.

Steve got a round of applause for bringing “world class horse” to Delaware.

Importance of Triple Crown was asked of Steve. He said it has to be revamped. History is history and should be left like that. Have to change with the times. $1 million races not considered for Triple Crown and that’s wrong. Every era is different. People knock that Well Said race on half-mile track; used to be all races on a half. Times change.

Ron was asked how he maintains strength required to hold horses. I’ve been doing it for long, all the muscles are strong already. When first started driving, had to get fingers, legs, back and arms stronger. Sit-ups, push-ups, squats when younger. As got older, body got in shape. The Trick is to get horses relaxed.

Ron asked if he talks to horses: We have our own language. Horses respond to your voice. Fillies treated differently than treat boys. Some of the boys you have to get fired up.

Steve talked about how important great help is and called his assistant trainer Toni Rose his right arm. She warmed Well Said up and he won, so Steve said she could keep doing it until he lost. Then Steve went back.

 

 

Class Acts

What a great morning we had at the USTA Speaker Series, with Dr. Margaret Mudge from Ohio State, Dave Brower and David Miller, and Tim Tetrick and Jimmy Takter all taking their turns in front of the microphone.

The crowds were overflowing—even with the early hour, and the respect and appreciation for our “celebrities” was evident from everyone in attendance.

Jimmy was actually not on our schedule, but he came by just to listen and there was no way we could not ask him to join us. And it was not just Jimmy who was sharing with his fans. His wife, Christina—who always looks so beautiful—was talking with fans also, especially one young girl who wished to be a groom. Christina patiently answered all her questions, shared secrets of her life in racing, and repeatedly silenced her ever-ringing phone to give undivided attention.

There is no way to truly express my appreciation to all the people who help out with the Speakers Series—from my USTA coworkers, to the wonderful horsemen and experts who share their time. They come early, sign as many autographs as they are asked, and give of themselves so freely for people who really treasure the experience.

Tomorrow, we are back again at 8 with a  full slate—handicapping the Jug program with Dave Brower, Dave Bianconi, Sam McKee and the speaker series debut of Roger Huston. They are followed at 9 by Ron Pierce and  Steve Elliott, and the great John Campbell is with us at 10. I hope you will be, too!

Nicole

Jug changes conditions!

Yesterday we spoke about Steve Elliott’s reaction to the Jug conditions that allowed for first-heat splits of 9 and 10 horses for a 19-horse field.

Shari Hazlett had this reply to our blog:

I was so glad to see you asking this question. As an avid harness racing fan I was appalled that they went with two eliminations. I cannot believe that they have two trailers in one division and one in the other with the outer horses (including Well Said) basically being in as bad a position as you would ever think of in your nightmare.

To begin with, there should NEVER be trailers in an elimination and ESPECIALLY on a half mile track. Last year everyone was critical that Somebeachsomewhere was not in the Jug. After seeing this performance, I can totally understand why the Beach wasn't there. What if this had happened and he got the eight hole or, even worse, a trailer position. If the Jug wants to keep its place as a prominent race for 3-year-olds, they had better think very strongly about how they decide how many elims there will be. I give credit to Well Said's connections for racing him. If I was the owner, he would suddenly be ill the day before the Jug and wouldn't be in it.

Harness racing wonders why they struggle for fans. This is a perfect example. Just by the "luck" of the draw, Well Said the best 3year-old, may lose this race. That is absurd.

 

Well, Shari, it looks like the Jug already heard you! A release came today that said the Little Brown Jug Society had approves changes in future draws effective in 2010. The statement requiring a split for a set number of entries has been eliminated, and race officials now will determine splits based on the number of entries.  Society directors admitted they were concerned at having to set nine and 10 horse divisions for the 2009 race and would have liked to have split the 19 entries into three divisions, but the current conditions did not permit that. 

 

It’s great to see the Jug taking swift action on an unfortunate situation. Here is wishing everyone the best in the 2009 Jug—and I hope to see you at the Delaware races and the Speaker Series!

 

Nicole

Elliott on Post 8

Had a great talk with Steve Elliott today, as he prepared to head out for the Delaware County Fair to train Well Said for what he hopes is a Little Brown Jug . Of course, he wishes that Well Said had drawn better than post 8 in his elimination—where he will face Vintage Master and Carnivore—but Steve wasn’t really upset about it. He is and always has been a que sera sera type of person—whatever will be, will be. You can’t control some things and have to live with what happens.

One thing Steve and a lot of other people were more concerned by was Delaware’s decision to go with two elims for its 19 Jug entrants—nine horses in one and 10 in the other. That means there are two trailers in the second, 10-horse elim.

Last year, with 20 in the field, there were 3 elims with 6, 7 and 7 horses, respectfully. The conditions (which are available at http://horsemen.ustrotting.com/stks_conditions.cfm) say specifically: When 20 or more horses declare to start in the Jug or Jugette, three elimination heats will be raced.

But there are people in racing who think the Jug should look to make changes to ensure everyone who is putting money into the Jug purse pool through entry fees has a fair and equal chance to make some back—and this 9-10 split is not accomplishing that goal. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Send me a note to nkraft@ustrotting.com, and I’ll run the comments here.

And you can ask Steve about this topic and more when he visits the USTA’s Speaker Series in the Jugette Barn at 9 a.m. Sept. 24—Jug morning. Be sure to come out for all our speakers—from 8-11 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday in the Jugette Barn.

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There is a big debate in media about how to attract new visitors to publication Web sites. A lot of publications are going Web only, and debating whether or not to charge for content. Others, like us, keep our print product but want to offer more on our Web site. The question is: What should we offer on the Web to keep people  coming back. I would love to hear what you would like most from our Web site content. Please e-mail me at nkraft@ustrotting.com.

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