Uncle Mo Surgery Conspiracy

Riot · #1 04-15-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo Farm

Seriously,

Any vets or trainers who can explain the shaved area? For what reason is that area normally shaved?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/easygoer/5606219087

ultrasound of area, or take joint fluid out to examine (infection, inflammation, etc), or injection. Not a big deal.

Indian Charlie · #2 04-15-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riot

ultrasound of area, or take joint fluid out to examine (infection, inflammation, etc), or injection. Not a big deal.

That doesn't look very close to the ankle anyways.

At least to me.

Riot · #3 04-15-2011, 11:42 AM

Trainers and vets are correct and admirable to keep what's going on with their horses absolutely, completely private. Only the owners can legally release information. A vet can't even verify a particular animal has been admitted or seen.

When you walk through a vet hospital (if you are alllowed back there, accompanied) any names you see on stalls are often aliases. I've seen entire owner & horse aliases, too, on charts, to protect privacy of an ownership group or horse from talkative techs and stall cleaners.

When you purchase a horse privately, you are responsible for having your vet suss out any problems. The seller and seller's vet is required to tell you nothing (but cannot outright lie, you can get them for that). With stock that can be sold for hundreds of thousands, millions, of dollars, you bet the trainer, help, and vet better keep private things private.

That said: I wish the US would change and become more like Japan, Australia, regarding what information has to be released and accounted for to the gambling public. Far greater accountability elsewhere.

Linny · #4 04-15-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riot

Trainers and vets are correct and admirable to keep what's going on with their horses absolutely, completely private. Only the owners can legally release information. A vet can't even verify a particular animal has been admitted or seen.

True, but as an agent for the owner the trainer is generally the mouthpiece for all but the most outspoken owners. Repole strikes me as the type who'd be pretty open with comments but Todd is anything but. I certainly wouldn't ever expect any vet to say a word about a horse they treat, but trainers are usually the outlet for such info.

Linny · #5 04-15-2011, 02:32 PM

You can ask Todd all you want but you won't get an answer. He'll tell you thatthe horse appears to have a GI infection (what exactly is that in a horse?) and that he's still on schedule for the Derby. He's under no obligation to tell anyone anything and he's not going to. If he had any idea of doing so, he would have long ago.

Thunder Gulch · #6 04-15-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linny

You can ask Todd all you want but you won't get an answer. He'll tell you thatthe horse appears to have a GI infection (what exactly is that in a horse?) and that he's still on schedule for the Derby. He's under no obligation to tell anyone anything and he's not going to. If he had any idea of doing so, he would have long ago.

Would he go the "didn't happen" route, or "no comment" route? I would really just like to hear somebody press him, but they would never get another piece of information anywhere down the road.

Riot · #7 04-15-2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linny

True, but as an agent for the owner the trainer is generally the mouthpiece for all but the most outspoken owners. Repole strikes me as the type who'd be pretty open with comments but Todd is anything but. .

Exactly. Pletcher should be that way, unless given direct instructions otherwise by the owner. What owner would do that? Why? It's always only to the detriment of your own interests.

That's the horse business, whether they cost $500 or $5 million.

Cannon Shell · #8 04-15-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riot

ultrasound of area, or take joint fluid out to examine (infection, inflammation, etc), or injection. Not a big deal.

No big deal on a normal horse but a big deal on the undefeated Derby favorite.
Don't you think that an issue that warranted an ultrasound or joint injection of any kind is a pretty significant at this point especially considering the horses abnormally light racing and training schedule?

Thunder Gulch · #9 04-15-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

No big deal on a normal horse but a big deal on the undefeated Derby favorite.
Don't you think that an issue that warranted an ultrasound or joint injection of any kind is a pretty significant at this point especially considering the horses abnormally light racing and training schedule?

They were obviously doing an ultrasound to assess the surgery that was covered up...

Three pages of discussion and a million all over the web. Has anyone had the guts to just ask Pletcher?? I don't believe anything happened, but what do I know. Even if he lied about it, I'd like to put him in a position to squirm a little.

Riot · #10 04-15-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

No big deal on a normal horse but a big deal on the undefeated Derby favorite.
Don't you think that an issue that warranted an ultrasound or joint injection of any kind is a pretty significant at this point especially considering the horses abnormally light racing and training schedule?

Only if they found something. They may have been just searching, guessing by the ultimate diagnosis. We don't know. Would be nice if our racing rules were as open as other countries.

Cannon Shell · #11 04-15-2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riot

Only if they found something. They may have been just searching, guessing by the ultimate diagnosis. We don't know. Would be nice if our racing rules were as open as other countries.

You only look if there is problem, no?
I dont know what other countries you are referring to?

fpsoxfan · #12 04-15-2011, 11:21 PM

Just trying to figure out who's going to play Todd Pletcher in the upcoming Oliver Stone movie called "One To Nine"

Bigsmc · #13 04-16-2011, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

Just trying to figure out who's going to play Todd Pletcher in the upcoming Oliver Stone movie called "One To Nine"

Madame Toussad could save them a bunch of money on a legit actor and nobody would notice the difference.

Sightseek · #14 04-16-2011, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Madame Toussad could save them a bunch of money on a legit actor and nobody would notice the difference.

RolloTomasi · #15 04-19-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riot

ultrasound of area, or take joint fluid out to examine (infection, inflammation, etc), or injection. Not a big deal.

It's actually kind of odd to see a shaved area on a racehorse. We'd see a lot more hairless patches out there if every horse that had undergone such procedures had been clipped.

Linny · #16 04-19-2011, 11:27 AM

Eskendereya's legs were clipped last year in the Wood.

Riot · #17 04-19-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

It's actually kind of odd to see a shaved area on a racehorse. We'd see a lot more hairless patches out there if every horse that had undergone such procedures had been clipped.

Look more closely on a daily basis. Very common. It's just that the Derby horses are the only ones that get this kind of attention from the general public.

RolloTomasi · #18 04-19-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riot

Look more closely on a daily basis. Very common. It's just that the Derby horses are the only ones that get this kind of attention from the general public.

If we're talking about horses that make an appearance in the paddock (ie, entered to race), then I think you are incorrect.

I suppose it could be a regional thing...either that or trainers are well-versed in alternative uses for shoe polish...

Riot · #19 04-19-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

If we're talking about horses that make an appearance in the paddock (ie, entered to race), then I think you are incorrect.

I suppose it could be a regional thing...either that or trainers are well-versed in alternative uses for shoe polish...

There are a few claiming trainers that do not want a horse clipped before it is scrubbed and it's joint injected for that reason. Not a safe practice. But if you start to look carefully at the regular warriors, you can see it.

What I am saying is that daily, the public gambles on horses that have tons of history, and the public doesn't know about any of it. I do wish we did. But I'm not very sure most would know what to do with that information, anyway.

RolloTomasi · #20 04-19-2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riot

There are a few claiming trainers that do not want a horse clipped before it is scrubbed and it's joint injected for that reason. Not a safe practice. But if you start to look carefully at the regular warriors, you can see it.

It might be a regional thing then. Or maybe you're referring to Standardbreds for the most part.

Quote:

What I am saying is that daily, the public gambles on horses that have tons of history, and the public doesn't know about any of it. I do wish we did. But I'm not very sure most would know what to do with that information, anyway.

Well, for starters, I don't think the public would be duped any longer into blaming the track surface every time a horse breaks down.