I got the issue and I asked the BH to send me a link for it
online and they won't because it is not online

It was the Feburary 10, 2007 issue and it is in
the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic report. It is written
by Steve Haskin and called "Cole's Claims"

It starts on page 902 Echo Farm

THANKS!

it looks like the shipping ban was extended until march 19th...probably what prompted him being scratched...i think Cole is absolutely greedy enough to run this horse...at any level he thinks the horse might possibly get a paycheck.

http://www.arcimembers.com/PublicPag...003/031003.pdf

OK, here's my take on this situation - and it may not be a popular one....

None of us know what is best for this horse, including me. It's a nice thought to envision him standing in a field full of daisies somewhere and all he has to do is eat. But, that might not be what is "best" for the horse. Isn't it possible that the horse simply enjoys life at the track? Isn't it possible that the horse likes to run? Isn't is possible he could be shipped off to stand in Salzman's field in Carroll County (note - it's spelled with 2 LL's, not one) and hate every minute of it?

Now, before I draw the ire and vitriol of some of you, make sure you understand my point is that NONE of us knows what is BEST for the horse. I'm not a big fan of Cole's as I think he's the second coming of Mike Gill and doesn't do much for the sport except take up stall space. But I'll defend his right to choose what he thinks is best for the horse as long as he is the owner. And if you want to affect the future life of the horse, save your money and go claim him when/if he races again. It's just that simple.

Rest assured, he's getting quality feed, quality bedding, quality vet care, etc in Lake's barn. The horse is being well taken care of. If he could only breathe like he used to.......

He's a gelding. LOL

i've heard the argument a lot that horses just like to run and so they should keep racing. Sorry but it doesn't work for me. I agree that horses like to have a job to do but there comes a time when the body doesn't have what it takes to withstand the rigors of racing and be successful...IMO while I may not know better than Cole what is best for his back account I think i do know what would be better for his horse.
The horse certainly could be a very happy animal doing another (less stressful or demanding job). I am not a proponant of just retiring him to let him stand in a field but if he can't find the winners circle at some of the lowest levels of racing don't you think that the time has come to find him a more suitable way to earn his living?

If he were my horse, I'd have him "standing" in a field - or I guess he could lay down in the field too, if he wanted.

But he's not my horse and I'll let his owner decide what he feels is best. If I felt that strongly about the issue, I'd go and claim him since I'm licensed in both WV and MD. But I don't, so I won't.....

There are plenty of "jobs" he could do. Hell, they could make a pony horse out of him if he loves the track so much. It worked for Kona Gold, 'cept he likes to get loose and out run the yound wipper snappers on the track sometime, just to let them know he still has it!

Sorry... read that wrong originally.

Oh there's no question the absolute best thing for this horse, or any horse, is not racing, the issue is if THIS particular horse has done enough to deserve the life of riley so to speak, and the overwhelming conclusion on this board is that he has. I love racing and understand the risk versus rewards of racing, but to deny the inherent dangers to the horse's participating is clearly putting your head in the sand, add an older warrior like Shake you Down with a lot of wear and tear and the risks are that much greater. Than there's the issue of degrading the old boy by throwing him in a low level claimer, no doubt just to cash in, thats the gratitude for earning you over a million dollars, far more than enough to ensure a nice dignified retirement. If he truly loves being around the track than they could use him as a pony while maintaining his dignity and protecting him from harm.

Please show me where I've "clearly put my head in the sand"? I am fully aware of the dangers of racing.

And there's a good point we can debate until we're blue in the face and neither of us would be right or wrong. My stance there is an old warrior like SYD is more apt to protect himself from severe injury as compared to a fresh, lightly raced horse that only knows to go out there and run his/her eyeballs out. I believe the newer horse is more apt to suffer a career ending injury than an old grizzled vet like SYD.

I couldn't agree with you more on that point. But, it's up to his owner, not us, to make that decision.

While I do agree it's sad to see a G1 winner sink to this level......

I don't get why no one cares about how degrading it is for regular low level claimers to race at those prices for their whole careers. I know Shake You Down accomplished more than the other claimers but.....they are all horses. If you think Shake You Down should be done, then so should thousands of claimers across the country.

actually I do ...but that's another argument for another day.

I have the Answer!!
 

OK, we all have opinions but here's mine. Get rid of cars and we all go back to riding horses. Saves gas and I'll trade my car for SYD. I mean why go through the trouble of making gas from corn, wheat, etc. when you can cut the food chain down to feed horse....ride. That way all these horses we're whining about can be used and enjoyed.

I can see pulling up to a restaurant and seeing The Green Monkey valet parked while the low level claimers would be left in the back row.

Yea, I'm crazy!

Spyder from SC

When this chain started, SYD was suppose to run in a 7k claimer at Charlestown I believe. I know he was scratched that night, did they run him back soon after? Has he run recently?

i read that with anticipation is now ridden to the hounds, he's a fox hunter (the fox is NOT killed, they just chase him to his hole according to the article). kelso was another who did the same thing.
no doubt someone would be proud to have shake you down-whether a casual rider, or even a police mount-there are former racers who have gone on the force.
i just think it's a shame to see him where he is, with that guy as his owner.

Buy him and old Spooky Mulder and give them a fitting retirement

Spooky Mulder can definitly still run, i cashed on him multiple times last year, on bets ranging from win place, exactas, singled in pick 4's and 6's, i think this old guy has at least another year in him

He last raced January 18, (I have his DRF PPs thru a March 3 workout at Laurel Park.

He has been entered at least 3 times since. One race didn't happen due to weather (and possibly a scratch too) the other times he was scratched. Scratches due to the shipping ban from MD, I believe.

The last 3 times he was entered tag was for $7500 2/15, $10,000 2/25 & $7500 3/15.

I know a lot about a little and a little about a lot...................

I agree with this...Spooky is still in the game...SYD...well, he just isn't.

Me Too:D :D

Hate to post rumors but this is a positive one.....

Word is he's retired. Hope it's true, poor thing.....

Look in Thoroughbred Times for it soon.
It is reportedly in the email version, Retired to a prison program near Ocala.

What in the hell is a prison program?

I believe it is where the prisoners learn to take care of horses to help rehabilitate them (the prisoners not the horses).

Ok, thanks. That doesn't sound as bad as I originally thought. Sort of a "public service" role...

They have similar programs with retired greyhounds.

OHHH in Ocala though? I wonder if they would let me visit him when I go up there?

Same thing I was thinking, but I doubt it.

Those kind of programs are normally really good for the prisoners and the horses. I'm assuming he's a friendly horse because they don't typically let people inexperienced with horses handle horses that are unruly.

The one I heard about is at a prison in Michigan. They actually ship greyhounds from FL to this prison, usually the dogs that aren't as well behaved and aren't ready for adoption. The prisoners train the dogs and I guess the dogs train the prisoners. When the dogs come back, they are ready for adoption.

Sorry Buffy, I just realized you were talking about SYD.

If SYD goes to the Ocala prison program for the TRF it is associated with a
women's prison in Fla. So you ladies go out break the law so you can enroll
in this prison program so you can see him. :D :D

http://www.trfinc.org/farms/farms.php?id=9

TRF
http://www.trfinc.org/about_trf.php

2 links about the Ocala Facility
http://www.trfinc.org/farms/farms.php?id=2

http://dc.state.fl.us/pub/compass/0103/page07.html

A good program.

Shake You Down Link
 

I found a link on line to the story.

LINK

Thanks Echo. I like the one paragraph about the intense debating
on the bulletin board about his retirement. Finally some real good
news about SYD. Maybe it was our constant forum postings that
got this done, you never know. Maybe us on DT can sponsor him as
a whole. I think it will be great

Might be appropriate, Degenerate Gamblers supporting a horse at a Correctional Facility!!

Debating, I'm surprised they didn't say "bickering". I scan several forums every day, and wouldn't blame them if they did.

I sponsor a couple of horses through TRF, and I visited one of them at the Blackburn correctional facility in Lexington a couple of years ago. Can definitely be done.

I will have to have my mom look into it. If it is the facility I am thinking of, it is right near her house.

Are we all happy now that this guy is going to go to a great new home?

EXTREMELY... relieved if nothing else.

There's one person on here that doesn't exactly heap praise on horses unless he truly thinks they're special that called him "America's best sprinter" in 2003 when discussing the Vanderbilt at Saratoga. That says enough.

new link to online story

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/rac...-facility.aspx