Have you ever thought about.....

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

..... quitting?

I'm just wondering. I almost did, after Horatio Nelson. Didn't care anymore, sobbed for days, wondered how people were going about their lives happy. I wanted to scream DON'T YOU PEOPLE REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED?

I know some heard the Second of June news and were devastated. Lost in the Fog, Saint Liam, Electrocutionist, too many lately. We all take each death a certain way but some are harder for each of us.

I have a friend who quit following the sport after Warrsan died. She's since come back, just like I did, but it took a while.....

So tell me..... have you ever quit and by that I mean temporarily? Have you ever felt like you can't take much more of it?

Just wondering. So many lately..... a hard sport to love at times.

For me it was when Go For Wand broke down in the Breeder's Cup Distaff. Watching her struggle to her feet, stumble a couple more steps and go down again, did me in completely. Then there was the owner with Go For Wand on the track, the filly's head in her lap. I think I shouted I HATE THIS!! before bursting into tears.

It didn't help that another horse (Northern Wolf?) had suffered a heart attack a couple races earlier, in the middle of the Sprint, which was going to be his last race. There was some sort of nice story about that horse with regard to the connections, but I don't remember it.

I seriously considered giving up the sport that day, but of course couldn't do it.

--Dunbar

[Gander]

I saw a horse break down at Saratoga about 6 summers ago, named
Best Friend Stro. He had a very clear lead in midstretch when the accident occured. It was horrific to watch and equally appalling to see people who bet the horse that eventually won the race jump up and down and cheer when Best Friend Stro broke down. One moron (who I got in a "slight" altercation with after the race) even had the audacity to laugh about it and say he could care less, so long as his horse had won. He did after all have $10 to win on it. Okay it was more than a slight altercation, he was white trash and you all know what needs to happen to trash.

After Swale died I stayed away for several months; I was heartbroken. This year has tested us mightily.

[Gander]

Best Friend Stro was put down immediately after the race on the track and to this day I will never forget the light blue curtain that they put up to hide the euthanization. It was very sad for anybody who cares more about the animals than the betting.