The last race at Santa Anita earlier today

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

8-to-5 favorite Tropiluk not only broke through the starting gate -- but also hit the back of his head on the top of the starting gate as he was in the process of rearing up and breaking through the gate.

They swung him around quickly -- had the vet look at him -- and within less than 2-minutes of breaking through the gate he was involved in a horse race. He finished a long way last in the field of 10.

Riveting, I know.

sounds like they do the nfl concussion test.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Danzig

sounds like they do the nfl concussion test.

It's hard to see -- but it always looks like the vets just examines the legs and motion of the horse after they break through the gate. And it always seems like they are in somewhat of a rush to do it ... probably because the rest of the field is stuck in the gate.

It takes an extreme amount of force to break open a starting gate. And though race horses are exceptionally strong bodied animals -- a shot to the mouth and face probably causes them pain and discomfort.

This example yesterday was much more extreme than a typical horse breaking through the starting gate ... because this one yesterday cracked the back of his head on the top of the gate as he was breaking through.

In the short time it took to hustle him around, examine him, and re-load him -- his odds only jumped from 7-to-5 to 8-to-5. I didn't even have time enough to log-in and bet against him.

He ended up finishing 10th beaten 25 lengths at 8/5 odds going just six furlongs. People have to realize that the outcomes of horse races are literally determined by fractions of a second.

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

It's hard to see -- but it always looks like the vets just examines the legs and motion of the horse after they break through the gate. And it always seems like they are in somewhat of a rush to do it ... probably because the rest of the field is stuck in the gate.

It takes an extreme amount of force to break open a starting gate. And though race horses are exceptionally strong bodied animals -- a shot to the mouth and face probably causes them pain and discomfort.

This example yesterday was much more extreme than a typical horse breaking through the starting gate ... because this one yesterday cracked the back of his head on the top of the gate as he was breaking through.

In the short time it took to hustle him around, examine him, and re-load him -- his odds only jumped from 7-to-5 to 8-to-5. I didn't even have time enough to log-in and bet against him.

He ended up finishing 10th beaten 25 lengths at 8/5 odds going just six furlongs. People have to realize that the outcomes of horse races are literally determined by fractions of a second.

I believe a break through leads to an automatic scratch in the UK...someone was telling me that the other day.

[Alan07]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

I believe a break through leads to an automatic scratch in the UK...someone was telling me that the other day.

Happened at either Lingfield or Southwell the other day.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

I believe a break through leads to an automatic scratch in the UK...someone was telling me that the other day.

I think they should unload the rest of the field from the gate when it happens.

It gives the bettors more time to do what they want. And I think it's fair to everyone... even though it will cause a delay.

It's especially fair to the horse who probably feels like he just got hit in the mouth with a club.

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

I think they should unload the rest of the field from the gate when it happens.

It gives the bettors more time to do what they want. And I think it's fair to everyone... even though it will cause a delay.

It's especially fair to the horse who probably feels like he just got hit in the mouth with a club.

But they're just 1200 pounds of beast...

[Honu]

Actually its not that hard to pop the front doors of the starting gate open, they are held together with magnets.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Honu

Actually its not that hard to pop the front doors of the starting gate open, they are held together with magnets.

Yes. It takes between 350 to 500lbs of force to break the gates open. I believe a horse leads with the face.

I have seen horses over the years win after breaking through the front of the gate... however, they are a lot more likely than normal to run dismally after doing it and even on the win-end they are bad bets. I always note it when I see it. Sometimes the chart callers don't even publish it in the result chart.

The last race at Santa Anita yesterday was a much more extreme example. That horse got TKO'd.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

It's hard to see -- but it always looks like the vets just examines the legs and motion of the horse after they break through the gate. And it always seems like they are in somewhat of a rush to do it ... probably because the rest of the field is stuck in the gate.

It takes an extreme amount of force to break open a starting gate. And though race horses are exceptionally strong bodied animals -- a shot to the mouth and face probably causes them pain and discomfort.

This example yesterday was much more extreme than a typical horse breaking through the starting gate ... because this one yesterday cracked the back of his head on the top of the gate as he was breaking through.

In the short time it took to hustle him around, examine him, and re-load him -- his odds only jumped from 7-to-5 to 8-to-5. I didn't even have time enough to log-in and bet against him.

He ended up finishing 10th beaten 25 lengths at 8/5 odds going just six furlongs. People have to realize that the outcomes of horse races are literally determined by fractions of a second.

no doubt the track is not interested in people rushing to the windows to cancel those bets. so obviously the easiest thing to do is say the horse is good to go and run the race. hopefully tracks will start taking things like that more seriously. a blow to the head as well all know is very serious-so the tracks need to recognize that. all the talk about horse welfare is only that unless actions back that up.
obviously the horse should have been scratched. once again, another rule that needs to be put in place-but who will make the tracks do so?

ntra is a useless group. i think the graded stakes committee really needs to exert more influence-put rules in place or you don't get grades? would that be enough impetus?

I think they should unload the rest of the field from the gate when it happens.

It gives the bettors more time to do what they want. And I think it's fair to everyone... even though it will cause a delay.

It's especially fair to the horse who probably feels like he just got hit in the mouth with a club.

absolutely agree!