What Kind of Hit Will Racing Take If Barbaro Dies?

[kentuckyrosesinmay]

Originally Posted by sumitas

You are a member of PETA, great, but don't be a wimp. Dirt's gotta go first and foremost as in now. Be replaced by synthetic. Then we'll see where the sport is at and go on from there.

I am looking forward to the Keeneland meet more than Saratoga because they have actually done something to improve safety.

Last time I checked, horses break down on polytrack too and out playing in their pastures as well, or in their stall, or by another horse, or in the trailer...etc.etc. They are just fragile creatures, and not just on the racetrack. The jury is still out on polytrack. At this point, I'm not sure that it is the best way to go. Barbaro's incident was a freak accident and I believe that Pimlico's racing surface is great. Not too many breakdowns occur on that track and I will say it again like I have said many times before...other race tracks should be looking at what Pimlico is doing instead of going synthetic. Quite frankly, other than the fact that is "possibly" improves safety, I don't like the stuff. It has a lot of disadvantages too.

Does anyone have the stats on how many horses broke down at Pimlico this meet? I just want to compare to that of the polytracks.

Oh yeah, and great post Betsy. I thought that you were dead on. I've got my arguements prepared too. I actually got into a conversation about it today with my boss that knew of Barbaro's situation but knew nothing about race horses. Lucky for me, she is the type that she will listen to more knowledgeable people on a given subject before coming to conclusions. It is the people that won't do this that we should be worried about.

I think that racing will take somewhat of a hit, but will probably not be as bad as we all think it will be if the horse is euthanized. I think the Jacksons have showed a very compassionate, good side to horse racing even if Barb does die. They obviously love the horse and will go to any lengths that are reasonable to try to save him. I'm glad they gave him a chance.

[packerbacker7964]

Man the hell with the Poly and all that support it. I couldn't hit the water if I fell out of the boat at Turfway this past year.Just look at Lawyer Ron's past performance at the place. I won't bet a single race at Keenland on the stuff or anywhere else for that matter.

Nothing whatsover will happen.

Thoroughbred race horses have been breaking down ever since Flying Childers was a weanling.

Everyone in the general public with a modicum of intelligence understands that race horses are fragile creatures ... just take a look at those big powerful bodies and pencil-thin legs.

There's always a desire to be part of something historic ... but this ain't it. If you want to be a part of history ... take a look at what's happening between muslim fanatics and the civilized world.

Barbaro's life or death ... while of particular interest to those of us who populate this forum ... just isn't that important to the rest of the world. It'll be a one-day story ... then it'll be gone.

Originally Posted by Bold Brooklynite

Nothing whatsover will happen.
Barbaro's life or death ... while of particular interest to those of us who populate this forum ... just isn't that important to the rest of the world. It'll be a one-day story ... then it'll be gone.

That is such BS it's not even funny. You KNOW this is not true. People who don't know jack s*** about horse racing ask me often about Barbaro.

Watch out DerbyTrail people. This guy will show his true colors on Barbaro soon enough. He's an insensitive *******.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by Barbaro4Evah

That is such BS it's not even funny. You KNOW this is not true. People who don't know jack s*** about horse racing ask me often about Barbaro.

Watch out DerbyTrail people. This guy will show his true colors on Barbaro soon enough. He's an insensitive *******.

Doesn't take long for others to become astute judges of character.
He lives in a cardboard box beside 1-95. Goes to his local library so he can go to his rightwing propaganda sites, then come here to annoy racing fans.
No knowledge of racing, horses or, actually, anything relevant.
Totally an attention seeker.
Babble, babble, babble....in one ear, out the other.
Back to your cardboard box Bold B. Even others are on to you, and frankly, you are getting a bit tiring.
Did you get you bottle deposits yet so you can play at your OTB?

Originally Posted by Barbaro4Evah

People who don't know jack s*** about horse racing ask me often about Barbaro.

Have you ever noticed ...

... that those are the only people who ask you about horse racing?

Originally Posted by Barbaro4Evah

Watch out DerbyTrail people. This guy will show his true colors on Barbaro soon enough. He's an insensitive *******.

Another bitter, miserable, hysterical refugee from that other site ... who can't help but trail after me.

Understandable though ... things are really dreadful over there without me. 'Tis a pity.

[sumitas]

True dahoss. bold brooklynite is not bold. this poster is behind the times, sits on his ass, and makes excuses for the staus quo.

Originally Posted by sumitas

True dahoss. bold brooklynite is not bold. this poster is behind the times, sits on his ass, and makes excuses for the staus quo.

You're right ... I missed my calling ... I should've been a shill for polytrack.

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I agree with most of what you're saying, but I think Barbaro's story is more of a one day story. I mean, it's been nearly 2 months since it happened and we are still talking about it. I think because it happened in front of everyone on TV that it has sort of become a national phenomenon. Even friends of mine that have no interest in racing at all know about Barbaro, and actually told me about the press conference today. I think people are drawn to situations like this.

World War III has started... and I think that'll get a lot more coverage.

Ruffian and Go For Wand also happened on national TV ... to much bigger audiences ... and they had zero short-term and long-term impact.

The Barbaro story? It'll be debated here forever. To the general public ... it'll be fifteen minutes ... and out.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Bold Brooklynite

World War III has started... and I think that'll get a lot more coverage.

Ruffian and Go For Wand also happened on national TV ... to much bigger audiences ... and they had zero short-term and long-term impact.

The Barbaro story? It'll be debated here forever. To the general public ... it'll be fifteen minutes ... and out.

BB, you are dead wrong here. The Ruffian incident caused some fans to go away forever. In fact, it ushered in a decline in racing. The impact was severe.

Originally Posted by randallscott35

BB, you are dead wrong here. The Ruffian incident caused some fans to go away forever. In fact, it ushered in a decline in racing. The impact was severe.

There's not a shred of evidence for that.

Ruffian's death was immediately followed by the astounding exploits of Forego, Seattle Slew, Affirmed/Alydar, and Spectacular Bid. The late 1970's were the Glory Days for thoroughbred racing.

[Danzig]

if there is no connection between his breaking thru the gate and than his injury, why the need to be checked more thoroughly? how thoroughly? if they followed standard practice, why is there still something wrong with what they did? i'm sorry if you think i'm hounding you, but i just don't get the whole thing.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Bold Brooklynite

World War III has started... and I think that'll get a lot more coverage.

Ruffian and Go For Wand also happened on national TV ... to much bigger audiences ... and they had zero short-term and long-term impact.

The Barbaro story? It'll be debated here forever. To the general public ... it'll be fifteen minutes ... and out.

Is this dude serious?

[westcoastinvader]

Jumping in late.....

Yes, this may be 15 minutes and out. That doesn't mean everything in the long term, though.

Ruffian was 15 minutes and out, too. But not among those who paid attention and cared.

And she's come back in notice, stronger than ever. It just took awhile.

I would suspect most all here are closet animal and horse lovers, whether they would admit it, or not. Even the pure "action" crowd, of which I am occasionally one.

I'm not a card carrying PETA member, but I sure as heck want good treatment of all animals whenever possible.

Thoroughbreds love to run. I've seen them perk up in the paddock when some get the late realization jolt of the job they've got to do....and want to do.

And, I've seen 'em prance and dance after a race with a "look at me" attitude.... looking into the stretch trackside fans after a 6th place finish.

All that said, I still hold the starter and Pimlico and maybe the television network liable for the decision to put Barbaro back in the gate so quickly after he broke through.

I won't let that one die.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

Jumping in late.....

Yes, this may be 15 minutes and out. That doesn't mean everything in the long term, though.

Ruffian was 15 minutes and out, too. But not among those who paid attention and cared.

And she's come back in notice, stronger than ever. It just took awhile.

I would suspect most all here are closet animal and horse lovers, whether they would admit it, or not. Even the pure "action" crowd, of which I am occasionally one.

I'm not a card carrying PETA member, but I sure as heck want good treatment of all animals whenever possible.

Thoroughbreds love to run. I've seen them perk up in the paddock when some get the late realization jolt of the job they've got to do....and want to do.

And, I've seen 'em prance and dance after a race with a "look at me" attitude.... looking into the stretch trackside fans after a 6th place finish.

All that said, I still hold the starter and Pimlico and maybe the television network liable for the decision to put Barbaro back in the gate so quickly after he broke through.

I won't let that one die.

you won't let that die? an incident that had nothing to do with his subsequent injury? why is it you won't let it go? i guess it has to do with someone wanting an explanation as to why something occurred, freak accident not being good enough. richardson said the gate had nothing to do with barbaro taking a bad step and breaking down, why isn't that good enough for you?

[sumitas]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bold Brooklynite
World War III has started... and I think that'll get a lot more coverage.

Ruffian and Go For Wand also happened on national TV ... to much bigger audiences ... and they had zero short-term and long-term impact.

The Barbaro story? It'll be debated here forever. To the general public ... it'll be fifteen minutes ... and out.

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Is this dude serious?

Yeeah, a far out dude. what planet is he from ?

[Danzig]

i doubt sumitas wants to get into any debate here, as that would involve the sharing of ideas...and he's only interested in his own here.
barbaro took a bad step, change of surface would have made no difference in that regard.
as for taking a blow, i don't think it will be as bad as it would have been if they had put him down right there on the track, or that night. everyone knows that everything was done that could be--but in the end it was up to whether he developed exactly what he did end up with--laminitis.

what will irritate me more than anything?? the second guessers who say that nothing should have been attempted to begin with, those who say the horse shouldn't have been 'put thru all this'....that kind makes me sick. they'd have been the first to criticize had the jacksons et al not made the attempt!!

we all knew barbaro was up against it. richardson said 50-50 from the get go, and never backed off of that. we were all hopeful when he came out so well initially, but anyone who knows anything about horses knew what he was up against.

Originally Posted by Danzig188

i doubt sumitas wants to get into any debate here, as that would involve the sharing of ideas...and he's only interested in his own here.

Hey ... get with it fella ... before long we'll all be eating polytrack for breakfast ... wearing polytrack clothes ... and living in polytrack houses.

In fact ... I just switched to a polytrack keyboard ... and man-oh-man ... do my fingertips feel great !!!

[sumitas]

It's clear the surface was the cause of Bobby's injury...