La Troienne discussion

[outofthebox]

Im Glad they did not retire Affirmed after he lost 4 in a row. And take away his HOY award when he was beaten by a better horse Seattle Slew twice. Affirmed was HOY, Slew the better horse big deal. Rachel was HOY last year, Zenyatta the better horse..Big deal. I have no problem thinking Zenyatta is the better of the two, i do have a problem thinking she had the best year of anyone last year. Like i said earlier, i hope there is no retirement in the plans. Affirmed lost to a cal bred sprinter (Little Reb) and an arizona bred (Radar Ahead) to start off his 4yo campain. Thank god their connections did not give up on him.keep Rachel running!

[Smooth Operator]

Aff did something very special in '78, outofthebox.

RA beat SB (in his prep race for the Travers) … and MA in the Woodward … barely.

Nuff said

[philcski]

I hate to resurrect this thread, but I just watched the replay again and Rachel is racing in a figure-8 noseband (they're used, among other things, to reduce pulling by a horse) and was in the New Orleans as well. Not sure why Asmussen would make this significant of a change, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

This is Smooth Operator being consoled after the Eclipse Awards...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee925OTFBCA

[TouchOfGrey]

Originally Posted by philcski

I hate to resurrect this thread, but I just watched the replay again and Rachel is racing in a figure-8 noseband (they're used, among other things, to reduce pulling by a horse) and was in the New Orleans as well. Not sure why Asmussen would make this significant of a change, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I've been wondering about the possible effects of the figure-eight myself. Could it be backing her off too much?

[CSC]

Originally Posted by philcski

I hate to resurrect this thread, but I just watched the replay again and Rachel is racing in a figure-8 noseband (they're used, among other things, to reduce pulling by a horse) and was in the New Orleans as well. Not sure why Asmussen would make this significant of a change, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I hate to give a serious answer, however if you look at the races she was most vulnerable in last year and not the white washes, but more in particular the Preakness and Woodward, they obviously noticed a vulnerability in her style. They tried to improve her by getting her to run more kindly early on and it hasn't worked. Now it is up to each person to decide if she is really the horse as she displayed in the Preakness or Woodward or the horse she was in the Haskell. I think what should be more a concern for her fans is the lack of good cruising speed she has thus far shown this year, if she doesn't have that she will have a hard time beating Zenyatta if that is even on the radar anymore, nevermind even winning a gr. 1 race this year.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey

I've been wondering about the possible effects of the figure-eight myself. Could it be backing her off too much?

I think it is. Would like to see it removed and return to a standard bridle.

Originally Posted by CSC

I hate to give a serious answer, however if you look at the races she was most vulnerable in last year and not the white washes, but more in particular the Preakness and Woodward, they obviously noticed a vulnerability in her style. They tried to improve her by getting her to run more kindly early on and it hasn't worked. Now it is up to each person to decide if she is really the horse as she displayed in the Preakness or Woodward or the horse she was in the Haskell. I think what should be more a concern for her fans is the lack of good cruising speed she has thus far shown this year, if she doesn't have that she will have a hard time beating Zenyatta if that is even on the radar anymore, nevermind even winning a gr. 1 race this year.

I'm guessing you're correct on why he put it on, but it was probably the wrong move, because like I said if it ain't broke don't fix it.

By the way, why do you "hate to give a serious answer?"

[CSC]

Originally Posted by philcski

I think it is. Would like to see it removed and return to a standard bridle.



I'm guessing you're correct on why he put it on, but it was probably the wrong move, because like I said if it ain't broke don't fix it.

By the way, why do you "hate to give a serious answer?"

Trainers are always in the process of tweaking things, I'm sure they are considering going back to what worked last year. Who knows maybe a jockey change is also in store, which in my opinion would be a bad move.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by CSC

Trainers are always in the process of tweaking things, I'm sure they are considering going back to what worked last year. Who knows maybe a jockey change is also in store, which in my opinion would be a bad move.

And Kobe Bryant has spent the bulk of this year's playoffs bitching about his bad finger. And Lebron James is bitching about his bad elbow. Ditto Deron Williams. Oh wait, these guys are too good to let 'little' things serve as excuses for them. They just go out there and get it done. I wonder why the same isn't true for the reigning Horse of the Year.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by philcski

I hate to resurrect this thread, but I just watched the replay again and Rachel is racing in a figure-8 noseband (they're used, among other things, to reduce pulling by a horse) and was in the New Orleans as well. Not sure why Asmussen would make this significant of a change, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

A figure 8 is not a signifigant change of equipment. Figure 8's do not reduce pulling by a thoroughbred racehorse. As a matter of fact a figure 8 can do the opposite but in most cases it really doesnt do much of anything except make trainer feel like they have done something.

What you are looking for is the real reasoning behind the change which is not necessarily the same as what would be given in public

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

A figure 8 is not a signifigant change of equipment. Figure 8's do not reduce pulling by a thoroughbred racehorse. As a matter of fact a figure 8 can do the opposite but in most cases it really doesnt do much of anything except make trainer feel like they have done something.

What you are looking for is the real reasoning behind the change which is not necessarily the same as what would be given in public

My wife disagrees with this... and I've always known it to be something to "gather" the horse so they don't run off and jump off the bit. Maybe it doesn't matter as much in a racehorse since you're not interacting with the horse through the bit as much.

I know it's not a huge change, and as you said we will never know what the change was for.

[CSC]

Isn't there an unwritten rule in horseracing you DO NOT replace a rider on a winning mount until they actually have lost? If it has happened during the triple crown series this would be a great trivia question.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by philcski

My wife disagrees with this... and I've always known it to be something to "gather" the horse so they don't run off and jump off the bit. Maybe it doesn't matter as much in a racehorse since you're not interacting with the horse through the bit as much.

I know it's not a huge change, and as you said we will never know what the change was for.

There isnt much gathering done at 38mph.

[3kings]

Originally Posted by philcski

My wife disagrees with this... and I've always known it to be something to "gather" the horse so they don't run off and jump off the bit. Maybe it doesn't matter as much in a racehorse since you're not interacting with the horse through the bit as much.

I know it's not a huge change, and as you said we will never know what the change was for.

Phil, I know we havn't met so this may be inappropriate but your wife prefers the figure 8? If you are going in that direction you may have to move this to the esoteric section.

[outofthebox]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

A figure 8 is not a signifigant change of equipment. Figure 8's do not reduce pulling by a thoroughbred racehorse. As a matter of fact a figure 8 can do the opposite but in most cases it really doesnt do much of anything except make trainer feel like they have done something.

What you are looking for is the real reasoning behind the change which is not necessarily the same as what would be given in public

Doen't Ass use this on all his horses whether they need it or not..Like Pletcher and his drop nosebands.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by outofthebox

Doen't Ass use this on all his horses whether they need it or not..Like Pletcher and his drop nosebands.

Pretty much. That and the neck strap. Nick zito and the small shadow rolls. Mack Miller and the big shadow rolls.

[Duvalier]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

A figure 8 is not a signifigant change of equipment. Figure 8's do not reduce pulling by a thoroughbred racehorse. As a matter of fact a figure 8 can do the opposite but in most cases it really doesnt do much of anything except make trainer feel like they have done something.

What you are looking for is the real reasoning behind the change which is not necessarily the same as what would be given in public

Chuck...what would be the reason a trainer would make a change to a figure 8? What is it supposed to accomplish?

[Indian Charlie]

The funny thing is Danzig, RA's last race would still probably beat 'Big Z'.

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

The funny thing is Danzig, RA's last race would still probably beat 'Big Z'.

in what galaxy? peter pan land...she didn't run at arkansas because she was worried about be fair.....yeah, ok...i'd be waiting for the retirement announcement.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

The funny thing is Danzig, RA's last race would still probably beat 'Big Z'.

I'm glad to see you are coming around, there once was a day you would have said "woulda".