Great Article by Moss

[skippy3481]

Seems to be a relatively solid opinion.

[blackthroatedwind]

This is a very existential thread.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

This is a very existential thread.

OOOOOOOO



http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/hor...ndy&id=3387061

A more reasoned approach than his ill-timed remarks the other day.

[_ed_]

Don't often see articles in which I agree with every single point the author makes - I do on this occasion.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by _ed_

Don't often see articles in which I agree with every single point the author makes - I do on this occasion.

He's still off base about the whip. Asking stewards to enforce excessive use rules is all that you need do. Use the English model of no more than three successive strikes, etc., and sit guys when they flail away. This piece will not negate his comments from the other day which will be used against him and the game down the road.

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Kasept

He's still off base about the whip. Asking stewards to enforce excessive use rules is all that you need do. Use the English model of no more than three successive strikes, etc., and sit guys when they flail away. This piece will not negate his comments from the other day which will be used against him and the game down the road.

Respectfully disagree. I'd be interested in more info about the Jerry Bailey opinion Moss referenced.

"The sentiment that jockeys need whips to control their mounts may be overrated -- Jerry Bailey thinks so -- and nothing contradicts the claim that racehorses love their work more than the sight of them being beaten through the stretch."

I also think the 2nd half of that quote is right on the mark. We talk about the horses loving to run and how competitive they are. Yet what we see is whack-whack-whack with the whip...to remind the horse how much it loves to run?

The first thing my wife, a moderate fan as a result of long association with me, asked when it was announced on TV that Eight Belles was down was, "do you think he whipped her too much?".

Those of us who are long time fans and bettors are so accustomed to the whip that its use has no impact. You need to step back and think what it looks like to a young person first approaching the game to understand what Moss is getting at.

Overall, an excellent piece by Moss.

--Dunbar

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Kasept

This piece will not negate his comments from the other day which will be used against him and the game down the road.

Used against him by who?

The Pita bread people that no one takes seriously?

[paisjpq]

I don't think whips should be banned but don't forget what you saw at Rolex. Horse wasn't going great so rider went to the stick to encourage him. 2 fences later horse falls and is put down. Its a real dilema, knowing when to be aggressive because a horse is lazy and when to back off because something is wrong. Jockeys for the most part are passengers not horsemen, and unfortunately many of todays trainers are not horsemen either.

Originally Posted by Kasept

He's still off base about the whip. Asking stewards to enforce excessive use rules is all that you need do. Use the English model of no more than three successive strikes, etc., and sit guys when they flail away. This piece will not negate his comments from the other day which will be used against him and the game down the road.

[pmayjr]

Originally Posted by Kasept

He's still off base about the whip. Asking stewards to enforce excessive use rules is all that you need do. Use the English model of no more than three successive strikes, etc., and sit guys when they flail away. This piece will not negate his comments from the other day which will be used against him and the game down the road.

Steve,

What comments? I've been a litte out of the loop lately.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by Kasept

He's still off base about the whip. Asking stewards to enforce excessive use rules is all that you need do. Use the English model of no more than three successive strikes, etc., and sit guys when they flail away. This piece will not negate his comments from the other day which will be used against him and the game down the road.

I agree, the policing of riders is outrageous in America and we need to step it up and get with the program.

Giving riders days and actually making them explain why they did what they did during a race helps the sport.

If Eibar Coa was riding in Hong Kong or Australia, he would only be able to ride about 10% of the time, the rest being on the sidelines for infractions.