West Point/Violette finished

[philcski]

Originally Posted by engine ONE

It is after all a business of "ups & "downs" so RV finds himself on the down side after this one. Both are very good trainers and being on the backstretch at Saratoga the past several years I have watched both at work and this it was I see in the morning.

RV always carrying his binoc's and stopwatch and hanging on the rail watching his horses. Seemed to be ok with owners coming around but had a feeling if it was his choice he would do without them. Seemed to be very much in control of his stock and workers.

Got in quite an argument with an owner one morning on the condition of the track surface and was pushing RV to go to NYRA and demand action for horses were coming back very sore from the am workouts over the rock hard main and turf courses. Seemd RV was not going to do much and the owner walked away spewing a few choice words for all to hear.

KM on the other hand huddles with the masses around the snack shack while his brother and others tend to the morning works. Pleasant and soft spoken and willing to talk it up with anyone. When his big guns work he will walk away with them from the track and reappear within a half hour or so to watch his next set while mingling. Two very different styles/approach to the morning.

RV had West Point and a few other high caliber outfits, while KM has to deal with the Darley outfit as his primary bread and butter.

What might be the most interesting part of the equation is the stable VET. KM from what I am told has the best in the business...cutting edge if you get my drift, while RV has the normal run of the mill VET. I would guess that West Point is going to get some very nice VET treatment now for their horses. Should be interesting as the weeks unfold on how the transfer of stock progress on the track..

engine ONE

I catch your drift, and I'd challenge you to show me an example of KMc "transforming" a horse. He's taken plenty of horses that that have shown potential and got the maximum out of them (i.e., what a good trainer does) but has never pulled a Fleet Indian on us. I don't recall him ever getting a suspension, either.


*** CORRECTION *** he served a 7 day last year for Flunixin, which is used to supress colic & diarrhea cases. Not sure why it's illegal (non-steriodal). Perhaps Chuck can offer some color as to why it's banned.

[The Bid]

Sorry to hear about your horse, its shameful

They seem to perform much better than they look on paper when I exclude them.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I'm not accusing him of anything, but Kiaran's horses over the last year or so seem to have multiple gears, like Pletcher's did a while back. Maybe he's just that good a trainer. I don't know.

What bothered me about Pletcher's were the stunning form improvements of decent horses into superstars when he picked them up (Fleet Indian & West Virginia come to mind as most egregious), whereas Kiaran's just seem like they run to their top capability (like his best improver from last year, Lahudood, who was actually good in France before he got her). Maybe I'm being nieve, however.

[sumitas]

I am sorry to hear Tater Tutt has physical problems but am glad it was diagnosed. All the best.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by philcski

What bothered me about Pletcher's were the stunning form improvements of decent horses into superstars when he picked them up (Fleet Indian & West Virginia come to mind as most egregious), whereas Kiaran's just seem like they run to their top capability (like his best improver from last year, Lahudood, who was actually good in France before he got her). Maybe I'm being nieve, however.

Dont be tricked into thinking that only "form reversal" trainers are possibly on the "cutting edge". I know it is cheesey to say this but I know of a couple of fair haired boys who have got caught with their pants down so to speak and have escaped without much knowledge. You would be very surprised at who. The funny thing about the whole issue is that for so long only claiming trainers were supposed to be juicing, when in fact they are usually doing nothing different than many of the supertrainers.