If it looks like a duck...... you know the rest. I saw the race. Glad to hear that the horse didn't lose an eye. The explanations and interviews make me feel badly about the game. It is obvious from the head-on that the horse ducked in rather abruptly and then in a second or less, Rose smacked her accross he face. The horses jerking motion signalled the pain she experienced and after Rose knew he caused her that, HE HITS THE HORSE AGAIN A COUPLE OF TIMES FOR GOOD MEASURE. It is disturbing that the people closest to the animal aren't taking up the animals cause. The horse is depending on them to do that. Not to take up a defense of the one inflicting the harm. They are just openning the door to PETA and other animal rights groups.
But I don't believe we need to reserve judgement here. We have a video that I have scanned a number of times. We don't need to hear from a joc (although they are also a bit quiet on the subject as well), ride a chair in our office, or continue to listen to folks connected to the sport who should know better. They need to look at the horse and protect them.
I would love to hear from Mig. I never knew much about his riding (only been a fan of the sport over the last 6 years) but I saw him get upset when one of his mounts broke down at the beginning of a race in Saratoga in 2006. He needed to be consoled by the attendent at the scene. And it wasn't a horse that was a stakes winner and all. I grew to respect him alot more that day.

My problem with Rose's statement is he is anything but an apprentice rider, surely a rider of his caliber knows when something goes amiss, then we also have the 2nd and 3rd whack to deal with. Let's face it to miss by that much, something isn't right here. As for the Owners I am puzzled by their lack of reaction, one can only speculate is this more of the old guys club establishment that horseracing seems to foster....Let's keep this under wraps. Anyway hearing Tony Black's opinion will be interesting.

What good is there in the owners and the trainer coming to Rose's defense if they didn't actually think the incident was accidental? I sincerely doubt Jeremy Rose of all people is part of the old boys establishment of horse racing.

This is silly, we have the video, I just viewed it again for good measure. The horse was on the rail at that point she was not lugging in, she was running straight, there is no doubt what Rose's intentions were. Maybe he didn't mean to hit her in the eye, but the target was certainly the head.

If Howard Wolfendale felt Rose intentionally hit his horse to do damage, Howard would have been all over him. Reading Wolfendale's press release tells me a lot and I'll trust his judgement since it was his horse.

One thing you don't do in MD - you don't f*** with Wolfendale.....

Right, I'm just saying, if Howard Wolfendale thought this was a deliberate act, I think he'd absolutely be all over Rose, as phystech mentions. Wolfendale's statement definitely muddies the water a bit in this incident.

I don't know Wolfendale and it is hard for me to comment on him.

All I know is any normal person would be upset, unless they view horses as disposable assets. And I am sorry but the truth is like it or not horses are often valued in monetary terms.

I guess my only question would be why is he protecting Rose? That's the part I'm trying to figure.

That will happen right after a herd of cattle flies by my window.

By the way, I think Rose is being unfairly vilified for the sins of others and the whole thing stinks.

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Makes you wonder is there an unwritten code between Jockies? And if so how much of what Tony Black says today will be enlightening.

Wow! Really? Your take is that it was unintentional? I'm looking at this situation and not even thinking about other abuses and draw the conclusion that I did. While I'm not on the horse, I don't see one bit of truth from his statement. She wasn't lugging in when he cracked he, she was going straight. And the 2 extra whacks causing her to severely swerve into the oncoming herd behind her, was not only unwarrented but dangerous for the trailing horses and jockeys. What do you think the stews are trying to make up for here?

I think, and I could very well be wrong, that BTW is talking about the chaos that's ensued since derby day.

It was expected that the trainer, owner or both would support Rose. This is a business. They want Rose to ride for them Saturday. Not 6 months from now. The money and the people involved is what is important to these guys, and Rose is a top jockey to have on your team.
It isn't a pretty way to look at, but it's real.

Well I am not in MD so here goes. I think, either way, whether it was an accident or delibrate, taking his defense is problematic.
Either you ride a jockey who can accidentally almost put your horses eye out or gets so pissed in a moment of frustration that he "takes him to the woodshed". Either way, there is a problem there.
I agree with Blackthroat in that he is paying for the collective sins of the past. That is problematic but if the sport is going to police itself it has to start somewhere. And, the horse is in the hospital for the injuries he sustained from the jockey. Why would anyone want to ride a joc who can accidentally or maliciously harm your animal to that extent?
Speaking of policing itself, Asmussen is going for another suspension.:zz:

Agreed. It IS not a pretty way of looking at it. But it is unfortunately real for many in the sport.

Where did I say that?

However, and I have watched it many times, I'm not in the business of deciding intent and I dare anyone to tell me they are 100% sure it was intentional.

But, be that as it may, we are in an hysterical environment right now, and decisions made under these kinds of situations are usually rash and rarely the fairest possible. You need to ask yourself what his punishment would have been had this happened a year ago. Now, I understand that one could argue that perhaps that would have also been too lenient, but the speed with which this verdict was handed down, as well as the haste people had to rush to judgement, leads me to believe he isn't getting a fair shake.

You'll have to trust me on this, but I have absolutely zero tolerance for anyone who would be cruel to animals ( save some of the posters on the internet who deserve all the abuse they can get ), however I am just as resolute in my feelings that a rush to judgement during hysterical times is a recipe for error.