Thoro-Graph on Nasal Strips
 

I see they did the Belmont Stakes as the race of the week on their website.

This rant caught my eye:





What I don't understand is that, if a nasal strip is really that much of a performance enhancer for some horses -- why wouldn't all trainers use them?

They're safe, relatively cheap, and can't hurt anything?





I suppose the nose band-aid didn't hurt, and the ROI numbers say Victor Espinoza would be the perfect guy for that horse -- but nose band-aids and brilliant jockey switches can only help so much.

Even though his rant is goofy -- maybe 'nasal strip' symbols should be included in past performances, just as equipment like 'blinkers' and 'front-bandages' are.

This will give people a better indication of the value of nasal strips...if there even is any value to competing in them.

And, in case you think Brown let the Nasal Strip stuff go after the first horse...here are his write-ups on the next two horses:


The all powerful, bounce nullifying, nasal strips:

Once Jerry Brown locks on to an issue, or perceived issue, he's like a pit bull. He's an advocate for vet names on PP's, horse weight record keeping, throat surgery reporting, et al. Think the nasal strip stance is a bit over the top, but JB isn't wrong about too many things.

Based on his posts on the TG board, I think he has been told there MAY be other things going on along with the Nasal Strip?

Because I believe the nasal strip is completely safe, I have no problem with horses using it, whether it's a performance enhancer or not. But as Jerry Brown advocates, the public should be made aware of it's presence.

Didn't the DRF go through this issue like a decade ago?

I think more of a "move up" was offered by the special shoeing this horse gets vs the nasal strip. The nailed-on glue shoes were added the same time as the magical nasal strip.

Not to mention that the horse had a terrible trip, in his final start before the move-up.

He blew the break, and became extremely rank as soon as dirt hit his face. He was rank and climbing for the majority of the race.

Yes. Equibase used to note them in the charts as a "s"

http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbP...ry=USA&race=10

A bunch of trainers started using them in 1999 and the craze probably peaked when Cat Thief won the classic wearing one for the 1st time. Of course he never won another race afterwards and the craze died off quickly as by the next BC Classic he was the only horse wearing one.

http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbP...ry=USA&race=10


Brown's complaints are a little hollow considering that they were the rage then were so sparingly used that equibase dropped the notation all which has happened while Brown seemingly was paying attention.

I have used them quite a bit but mostly on horses that have previously bled or as a decoy. They have little to no move up value that I have seen.

They sure arent in the same league as milkshakes, one of his other crusades that was actually barking up the right tree

Decoy?

Yeah I have overheard trainers talk of concern about horses wearing nasal strips being bad bleeders or having breathing issues. Make them at least think there may be an issue

JB should just give more credit to Espinoza and the development of the colt. The nasal strip thing is a little ridiculous.

We had a Q&A in the TDN recently with the very prominent Dr. Wayne McIlwraith--he said there's some science to back up the significant positive effect of nasal strips: http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com...ent.cfm?id=507

One study he cited said "Horses with the nasal strip had a win percentage of 3.4% higher than horses that did not wear one."

maybe the 'explosion' came in december because he matured a bit?

i know people like to find a reason why for everything. just not sure why anyone would be surprised that a two year old improves.