Saturday's Results

The Indomitable DrugS · #1 09-23-2007, 09:08 AM

I know the majority of Pletcher horses really look like they are missing that added something - but super trainer Steve Asmussen is putting on a dazzling statistical exhibition at Presque Isle Downs.

He's 4-for-73 at the meet - and his record with post time favorites is a remarkable 1-for-30!

In fact, if you take out Catonight (an Asmussen 10K claimer who's 2-for-2 at the meet) - his record is 2-for-71 overall and 0-for-29 with post time favorites.

And it's not like his favorites have been lukewarm ones in wide open claiming races - they've mostly been overwhelming favorites.

I was even thinking of doing a piece about this - but, when you see the takeout rates and how the horse players are being treated here - it's hard to write about something as fluffy and flowery positive as a proven cheater coming off of a six month suspension and burning up enough money to fill the Grand Canyon.

cmorioles · #2 09-23-2007, 09:37 AM

If you don't write about this you don't have a hair on your .... errrrr.... head.

SentToStud · #3 09-23-2007, 09:46 AM

So what explains the lack of media reporting and opining about the sport's top trainers having far below expected results? Is it just too small a world?

Linny · #4 09-23-2007, 10:06 AM

There seems to have long been an image in the media of TAP being some sort of golden boy, a sacred cow. His horses just disappear and no one asks questions. A few years ago he had 3 horses die in non racing related circumstances, at Saratoga. One was G1 winner Left Bank, one was a SW 2yo filly. I never saw a thing in print but "Oh poor Todd" articles.
Part of the problem is that asking tough questions WILL get you denied access to info in the future. Writers for DRF and other outlets may have questions, and allude to them now and again but they will never become Chris Matthews or Bill O'Reilly or they will be barred from covering Todd's return to the golden glow next spring as his 3yo's prepared for the one day that everyone cares about, Derby Day.
On the other hand certain trainers seem to be easy to portray as the bad guys. DWL and Assman are the current men in black. Over the last decade while TAP has seen horses mysteriously vanish from his barn while NOT answering questions, DWL has been demonized as a horse destroyer with nothing but his own interest at hand. DWL, throughout this time has not duck the press and even admitted when he has made mistakes.

The Indomitable DrugS · #5 09-23-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linny

DWL has been demonized as a horse destroyer.

Because he is one.

But in his case - it's because he handles todays more fragile horses the same way he did when horses could stand up to his training and racing schedule. He hasn't adjusted well.

In his case, I don't think anyone believe it was designer drugs or exotic drugs no one can test for that was causing his horses to fall apart.

The Indomitable DrugS · #6 09-23-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SentToStud

So what explains the lack of media reporting and opining about the sport's top trainers having far below expected results?

I think most of those writers think that they personally have nothing to gain and something to lose if they report on that.

cmorioles · #7 09-23-2007, 10:12 AM

What exactly would they lose? A few quotes from Todd himself? Who really gives a ****?

The Indomitable DrugS · #8 09-23-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmorioles

What exactly would they lose? A few quotes from Todd himself? Who really gives a ****?

I agree with you and wish they would start asking serious and tough questions.

In Asmussen's case up here, on paper, he has a very strong looking hand again today. Three morning line favorites, and another who figures to vie for favortisim.

If he gets blanked yet again - I'll give my horse players aren't getting treated right onslaught a rest - and focus my unbridled negativity to that. I have no career at this anyway.

Danzig · #9 09-23-2007, 10:51 AM

certainly an intriguing situation tho...two trainers who seemingly win anything and everything have both handed well-publicized suspensions, and now both are slumping.
of course that's the easy answer, and there could be many more factors involved. but i think it's a point to be made more so with asmussen, then pletcher. i believe that was pletchers first offense, while it's far from the first time that assmussen got caught with his hand in the illegal cookie jar. harder to believe that the leopard can change his spots overnight, yet six months is some serious time. wouldn't it be nice if everyone went back to just hay, oats and water--the playing field is levelled, and no one has to serve suspensions...it would go back to horsemanship only.

i guess i better pinch myself, i must be dreaming!

SentToStud · #10 09-23-2007, 10:22 AM

I think TID and Linny are right.

Anyone who has a family to support and works for a corporation has done the same thing. And I'd guess it's not as easy for a mid-level DRF reporter who does an ok job to land somewhere else as it is for, say, a similarly successful pharmaceutical sales rep.

Crist and Beyer (especially Beyer) will say exactly what's on their mind (or it seems). Lots of Beyer's stuff I really disagree with but I'm glad he says it.

Nothing to gain and lots to lose is a tough job to have.

Linny · #11 09-23-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SentToStud

I think TID and Linny are right.

Anyone who has a family to support and works for a corporation has done the same thing. And I'd guess it's not as easy for a mid-level DRF reporter who does an ok job to land somewhere else as it is for, say, a similarly successful pharmaceutical sales rep.

Crist and Beyer (especially Beyer) will say exactly what's on their mind (or it seems). Lots of Beyer's stuff I really disagree with but I'm glad he says it.

Nothing to gain and lots to lose is a tough job to have.

Crist and Beyer write opinion pieces, they are not reporters. The guys who report wont have much to tell folks if trainers (who they rely on for info) wont speak to them after they report or ask something that the trainer doesn't want published. if a guy like Grening had no access to TAP, McLaughlin, Shug, Violette, etc the would not have a job for long.

cmorioles · #12 09-23-2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linny

Crist and Beyer write opinion pieces, they are not reporters. The guys who report wont have much to tell folks if trainers (who they rely on for info) wont speak to them after they report or ask something that the trainer doesn't want published. if a guy like Grening had no access to TAP, McLaughlin, Shug, Violette, etc the would not have a job for long.

Well then what is the point of the job in the first place? Mouthpiece to the trainer?