Larry Jones
 

As I continue to see interviews with Larry Jones about EB, I am very impressed with his answers to the media's questions. He's been a good spokesman for racing the last two weeks, imo.

As I was leaving Pimlico yesterday after the BES card, I walked by the stakes barn to see Big Brown and noticed a tv taping going on under a tent at the end of the barn. The panel was Bob Costas, Larry Bramledge, Larry Jones, and I think a reporter from the NY Times. I waited until the taping was over and had the chance to speak with Mr. Jones and thank him for his good words over the last two weeks. He was very gracious and actually stood and talked with me for a couple minutes when I'm sure he had better things to do.

I assume the panel discussion will show up on NBC today.

i agree, and I like him. seems like a good person and horseman.

I'll 2nd that bigtime!

He is a class act.

I'd be honored to have a classy cowboy like this train a horse for me. I was so glad he proved those naysayers wrong with the steroid negative on Eight Belles. Poor guy didn't deserve that, now if those jokers will take back the crap they threw at Saez...I won't hold my breath on that one. Larry and Rick Porter are sportsmen and I'm sure it hurts to congratulate them for putting Eight Belles in the race but she deserved to be there, and given the likely cause IMHO (given her regular stumbling situation) means this could've happened in the Oaks too. Larry did us the honor of running a terrific horse in the Derby so thanks, Larry.

I had the chance (in fact good fortune) to spend some time with "Team Hard Spun" and met Gabe and his agent Ruben when they were in town for a grass stake for fillies. Larry is a gem of a guy and a great horseman. His is devastated by what happened to Eight Belles and the subsequent furor has been very upsetting for all involved. It is very hard to answer all th questions Larry has been asked without sounding "defensive" and becoming nearly hostile. Jones has dealt with all of it with unending grace.
Larry Jones is one of the few people in racing about whom I have NEVER heard an unkind word.

Just watched the roundtable discussion.. He truely is a very classy guy. I feel so bad for him. Great discussion and I really hope things do start changing for the better.

I didn't get home in time to see this. Any place/link to catch a replay?

Let's see some action not just talk.

Like Golden Missile in action?

favorite trainer as far as a fan. I gave him a thumbs and a "good job larry!" up after the 07Haskel and he gave me a thumbs up and a smile back

I thought both roundtables were an absolute waist of time. Both ESPN and NBC get big time thumbs down. Now I will say the most interesting part for me was when they flashed to the jocks room during the broadcast. I think that did capture their interest in this.

Agree with most of you about Jones. In the last 12 months he has really gained my attention and respect.

You gotta hand it to Larry. We all know his heart is broken after what happened to Eight Belles, yet he does his job in trying to instill some sense of into the entire situation. And yes, I saw the jocks were interested in the discussions. Gary Stevens was not doing any good I thought by losing it but Jerry Bailey really did have some great moments. I wish they would have a panel with both Jerry and Larry on it to spread some insight.

Jones said he would have preferred a well maintained poly surface for 8 Belles to gallop out on. He said he prefers young horses that have been turned out instead of hot housed. He said a spring/fall season for t breds would work. The horses would then get more rest. Bailey said he'd like to see no meds prior to race and no whips. There was some substance there.

It would be more effective if he had taken this stance when he was a rider...seems a little suspicious now..kinda like Barry Bonds coming out against steroids tomorrow

You're forgetting the part AFTER that where he said that she stumbled and stumbling on any surface would have likely have caused the fractures.

you mean ignoring.

But getting back to what Larry and Jerry said. Hay, oats and water. I mean horses were running fine for generations on this remedy. Then drugs kick in and all of a sudden we have horses that rarely see a 4YO season. It is like even if a horse retires at age three sound the owners/breeders want to get it off the track before the gross handicap/ inferiority gene kicks in.