Espinoza fined for excessive whipping of Stellar Wind

[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