Espinoza fined for excessive whipping of Stellar Wind

[Jay Frederick]

Originally Posted by Dunbar

What's the goal? To alienate as many people as possible until there are just 100 people left in the country who like to watch and bet on horse races in which riders beat the s&!t out of their mounts?

--Dunbar

The trainer of the horse said he didn't see any mark on the horse. Also, I can't imagine if Espinoza did hurt Stellar Wind at Santa Anita, that he would have ridden her back in the Kentucky Oaks. Do you?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Jay Frederick

The trainer of the horse said he didn't see any mark on the horse. Also, I can't imagine if Espinoza did hurt Stellar Wind at Santa Anita, that he would have ridden her back in the Kentucky Oaks. Do you?

[Sightseek]

Haskin's thoughts on the matter:

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse...e-answers.aspx

[Danzig]

all well and good, and I understand haskins point...but I have NEVER had a conversation like that with anyone, whether a fan or a 'casual fan'-and I'm quite tired of hearing about the latter, who has zero skin in the game.
yes, horses are bred to run. but there's a reason for a rider, who tells the horse when to go, and when to keep going.
I have no issue with prevailing on a horse who has a legit shot at a win or placing...I have no desire whatsoever to see a horse in the back of the pack to be wailed away on by a jock.
either these guys are professional riders, or they aren't. I'm not about to argue with victor about a thing. that would be like me trying to tell tom brady how to throw a spiral, or lundqvist how to play goalie.

[Dunbar]

As long as you have a level playing field, the nature of horseracing would not fundamentally change. That level field could be "no whipping" just as well as "8 whips allowed", "whipping the s$!t out of them allowed", or "let every rider have a buzzer". It would still be horseracing, and the fastest horse, under the whip, buzzer, or handride option allowed, would win.

--Dunbar

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Jay Frederick

The trainer of the horse said he didn't see any mark on the horse. Also, I can't imagine if Espinoza did hurt Stellar Wind at Santa Anita, that he would have ridden her back in the Kentucky Oaks. Do you?

Exactly Jay.. This is the amazingly bizarre element of the whole situation. Who's going to know better how she came back than Sadler?

[LARHAGE]

Has anybody ever watched Barrel Racing? The crop does not hurt the horse, it's the pop on the skin that makes them react, unless of course you draw blood or create welts, but you have to be really coming down hard to do either of those.

[Arletta]

"The safety crops, which can have a maximum weight of eight ounces, cause more of a noise-making effect than anything, according to some jockeys — who add it would take some exceptionally aggressive riding to cause physical harm with those sticks."


Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/05/10/3...#storylink=cpy

[Danzig]

Kentucky chief state steward Barbara Borden said none of the 12 state veterinarians at the Derby found any welts or marks on American Pharoah in the initial moments following the race, nor in the hour-plus he was observed after.

In an interview with the Herald-Leader on Friday, Borden added that after reviewing the race again in the wake of public scrutiny, the stewards felt Espinoza's use of the crop "fell within our regulations and felt no disciplinary action was warranted.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/05/10/3...#storylink=cpy

Good. And now everyone can report this if theyre asked about it...

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by Arletta

"The safety crops, which can have a maximum weight of eight ounces, cause more of a noise-making effect than anything, according to some jockeys — who add it would take some exceptionally aggressive riding to cause physical harm with those sticks."


Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/05/10/3...#storylink=cpy

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It's the same article

Originally Posted by Danzig

Kentucky chief state steward Barbara Borden said none of the 12 state veterinarians at the Derby found any welts or marks on American Pharoah in the initial moments following the race, nor in the hour-plus he was observed after.

In an interview with the Herald-Leader on Friday, Borden added that after reviewing the race again in the wake of public scrutiny, the stewards felt Espinoza's use of the crop "fell within our regulations and felt no disciplinary action was warranted.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/05/10/3...#storylink=cpy

Good. And now everyone can report this if theyre asked about it...

[Alabama Stakes]

pain and pleasure aren't opposites when it comes to the whip.

no one ever said boo when Ramon Dominguez would reach back and give the hoss a bone crusher to the stomach about 30 yards from the wire and have the hoss respond and win the race. would you rather get 20 love taps ? or one haymaker ?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Arletta

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It's the same article

yep, it is.

when i copied/pasted that portion, it automatically linked it at the bottom. bloodhorses do the same thing. i'm sure you've noticed it yourself.