Thanks for your insight...

I didn't realize that about the state vets.

What kind of media would not report this? If they are saying it is a trainer scratch and not a vet scratch (which is a vital statistic in handicapping) doesn't it have to be true? Are you saying the vets say "Scratch him or I will?". How is that different from saying "Bench him or he will foul out"?

Yes, that is correct. They were basically told, "Scratch him or I will." In most situations, it wouldn't be done this way. In most situations, the horses would simply be vet scratches. But these two horses were high profile horses in high profile races. It looked better for everyone involved if these horses were voluntary scratched.

In the real world, I think a good anology would be when an employee is asked to resign, instead of getting fired. When a person resigns, it allows them to save face and it's just a better situation for everyone involved. There's much less controversy when someone resigns.

By the way, the state vets were obviously 100% correct in not allowing either of those horses to run. Both of those horses had pretty serious injuries and will be lucky if they ever make it back to the races again.

state vets
 

I have been an examining veterinarian for the state for 21 years. It is not an easy job. I have made "unpopular" decisions and taken horses out of big races and been yelled at, and worse.

Some of the horses have come back and worked and were found to be OK, but most were not. I would rather be wrong a thousand times and scratch a horse that turns out to be OK than just one time where I let the horse run even if I thought there was a problem.:{>:

That is wonderful to hear..I can only hope that this is the way all examining vets feel about their responsibilites.

Eye Wonder.....5th @ LS....broke down in stretch.:(

Remember up at Saratoga a few years ago when Bailey essentially scratched Noble Causeway from the Jim Dandy because "he didn't feel right"? The trainer (was it Pletcher or Zito? somebody high profile) was furious and wheeled him back a week later in an allowance with a new rider. Horse bore out in the first turn and came back lame. He survived to stand at stud, but the whole incident made me feel more kindly towards Bailey than I usually did.

Zito

Yes, Zito was a little annoyed at Bailey but the guy who was really furious at Bailey was the owner. I think he actually wanted to take Bailey to the stewards. Then as you said the horse came back a couple weeks later with Ramon Dominguez and he pulled up.

I remember about 20 years ago Burt Bacharach had a stakes filly that was put on the vet's list. Bacharach was furious. He berated the track vet publicly and said there was nothing wrong with the horse and that the horse would prove she was sound in her next workout. She did have a fast workout but was never seen again after that.

In these types of cases, it is rare that the owner will apologize to the vet when it turns out that the vet was right.

When a competent track vet or a jockey thinks that a horse is off, they are right 99% of the time.

Can't find anything... sorry.

* * *

9 year old Siphon's Glory, at Mountaineer yesterday...

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart...071009USA3.pdf

Greedy Way and Lanie's Way, HP yesterday (R2 and 3)...

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart...L071009USA.pdf

Equine Beauty, R5 @ Ellis today...

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart...071109USA5.pdf

Greedy Way is still touch and go - serious suspensory injury.

Lanie's Way was put down. Hind suspensory apparatus.

Dawn Before Dawn...

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart...090709USA3.pdf

Baron Von Tap, at Calder on Saturday.

I like this guy. Hope he's okay.

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart...01009USA10.pdf

Cash's Count and Evansleadingthewy, Race 6 at Mountaineer on Tuesday...

http://drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesIndex...=20091027&RN=6

Out Of Gwedda, at Delta Downs...

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart...111909USA2.pdf

Sam P, in the Prairie Bayou yesterday...

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart...21209USA10.pdf

Luhuk's Dancer, at Philadelphia Park

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart...121109USA3.pdf

Just off the phone with Buff Bradley. Sam P. is fine.

Borel was being cautious after Sam took a couple funky steps after the wire. Came home to Churchill later and was 100%. Same this morning. State vet at Turfway yesterday, Buff and state vet (this morning) all have been over him. He jogged today for the vet and was totally OK. He will be monitored closely in case anything develops but cooled out normal last night and is moving like there is nothing wrong.

That's really good news, Steve... thanks for checking on him. :)

Duvalier... I've looked around a little for Luhuk's Dancer but can't find anything so, hopefully, no news is good news. I'll post if i hear or see anything.

MMSC, still nothing on my girl Sierra Sweetie?