How old is too old?
 

I love the old guys the best, but this? I find this disturbing..... a tragedy waiting to happen.....

What do you all think?

From DRF...


17-year-old entered in race
By MARTY McGEE

A racing rarity is scheduled to occur Wednesday at Ellis Park when Alpena Magic, a 17-year-old, runs in the third race.

Officials at Ellis said Monday that stewards have tentatively cleared Alpena Magic to race. Dan Bork, racing secretary at the Henderson, Ky., track, said he has discussed the unusual situation with steward Ron Herbstreit, who said the gelding still must pass muster, including a standard prerace veterinary examination, before starting in the 5 1/2-furlong race, which is for $4,000 conditioned-claiming horses.

"Obviously it caught our eye when we took the entry, but according to the reports we've gotten, the horse has been looking good on the racetrack and is sound," said Bork. Alpena Magic has had five recorded workouts at Ellis since late April.

Bork said he and Herbstreit were unaware of an age limit on horses to race in Kentucky. Generally, horses older than 15 are barred in many racing jurisdictions in North America.

Alpena Magic, by L'Enjoleur, was bred in Alabama by his owner, Kenneth J. Robinette. William R. Hicks is the trainer of Alpena Magic, who has not raced since finishing ninth and last at 98-1 in a bottom-level claiming sprint at Hoosier Park in Indiana on Nov. 19, 2005. Overall, Alpena Magic has won 16 of 154 starts, earning just over $200,000.

Gonna go out on a limb here and say thats a little too old

Wow, my horse is 17...and while he is still a handful to ride he certainly isn't a racehorse anymore...why would he do this after 2 years off?...esp when the horse was running last?....nevermind, I don't require an answer.

Perhaps he's striving to train one that makes it into the Angels thread?

good lord! he raced 154 times and is now coming back at 17 after two years off? In this case I truly mean it when I say, he's done enough.

I agree. Let this poor animal retire.

;) OOOO

That's my home track. Yay Ellis!! Wish I could make it to the races Wednesday. That would be a treat.

For once we can honestly say that he has really done enough...

Paul

Maybe they can get cowboy jones to ride.

This horses line reads like a trotter at Northfield Park.

152 - 16 - 14 - 18

206,000

Good luck gramps

Hate to judge, but this is ridiculous. Hope the old guy comes out of the race OK. :(

You sure can't beat Ellis Park racing...the best during the "dog days" of summer! :rolleyes:

I would say half your age the 7 years is the youngest you should go and anyone over 45 is tool old.;)

I actually remember beting on that horse
nows my chance to get my money back?

Yeah it's fantastic.

Although I have to admit the new owner has done a hell of a job with the backside. New roofs on just about every barn and he got rid of that horrible stucco.

Ellis is your hometrack?!?!:eek:

That explains EVERYTHING:D

Actually Riverside Downs is. :D

Wish I had $4k to claim him and give him a good retirement. Poor fella.

Sheesh! I'd hate to take some of you to Ellis. 9 races of brokedown mules would force me to drive you down to Western States in Hopkinsville and drop you off.

wonder if they still have my old room....

But he's 17, PP... come on, you've got to feel bad for this guy. :eek:

I do. But then again I feel sorry for retards and old people but some of them compete in athletic competitions. The only odd thing about this is it's an old horse running against a few younger retards.

17 yrs old = too old for racing

I haven't even thought about age limits in years, since it's been by and large an irrelevant topic.

But I thought that some states had an age limit of 13.......years ago.

If the horse makes it another year they can send him to Iraq.

Depends on the horse. I saw a 17yo run in and nearly win a steeplechase at the Ky Horse Park back in the early 1980s. McCaslin was his name. Of course, 'chasers often peak at age 10, not 5 like flat racers (on average)...,

How old r u .....honey?

Two score and sixteen.

Oh?





Interesting. Older ladies can be very enjoyable.

Do you have admirable boo-bees?....and dupa?

Would ya say the thighs are still firm?

What about stamina?





How are ya there Sweetie?

Jim, at 15, with that kind of tire wear, you need a two year freshening :)

Seriously though, they shouldnt be putting this horse out to run.

Anny?

I don't know what to think about this, I guess if the horse wants to race but geesh 17. Hope he comes out OK.
Can someone link the video of the race, Ellis has no live stream and I cannot get HRTV, dang Directv.

Alpena Magic, the 17 year old horse scheduled to race today has been scratched.

On another board, there's a rumor (for the record I don't like posting rumors but i'll make an acception since it's not bad news or anything.....) that the owner of Ellis Park offered to buy him and might turn him into an outrider pony.

I never post, just had to chime in here - I read on another board that the owner of Ellis park was not happy about Alpena running and so bought Alpena himself. He will have a new job as a pony so that he can stay at the track. Apparently, Alpena's owner had tried to retire him before (hence the two year's off) but he was not happy at the farm. So, now he gets to stay at the track where he's happier.

I was hoping that there was good news behind the scratch, and if this rumor is true it is good news imo. I hope to get the real story because if indeed the owner of Ellis Park did this its a very humane act and probably also not a bad PR move either. win-win.

Whew...glad to hear that, the scratch is not showing on Ellis's site.
And that is very good news, horse is now happy, owner is not under scrutiny, and owner of Ellis park did a good thing.

Yes, first he cuts takeout on the pick 4 wager and now he is buying old horses!


I must say I like this new owner! He is good for the sport!