The Michael Gill/Penn National Riders Saga

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by Thoroughbred Fan

I don't think you can tell the difference. I've seen the soundest horses breakdown. Bad steps happen. I've also seen a horse who couldn't really work between starts win about 100k in a year in lower level claimers.

Making the call as to when the horse should and shouldn't be run is not as black and white as you seem to think.

Obviously injuries of this nature can happen at anytime, anyone with even a limited knowledge of the game knows this.

You, sir, are not the only person on this board who has a history with ownership, or a knowledge of "making calls."

A reasonable decision process, on if a horse can race or is on the verge of breaking down and should not run, can be made. Is anything ever 100%, no, but with proper precautions and plausible judegment you can mitigate risk.

However, I guess this way of thinking is just considered being a "horsey lover," and not being a dilligent owner/trainer.

By just throwing caution into the wind, and running horses by any means necessary, even those who are on the verge of breaking down, you are knowingly risking the lives of every horse and every human in the race.