I'm worried about Big Brown running in the Preakness

[dsgshowmom]

1) His front feet have significant quarter cracks, and he has a more than likely chance of getting an injury because of it. BTW, I did see the photos of his feet, but epoxy alone is not going to help that much. I realize I am not a "race horse person" but it doesn't take a genius to realize that point.

2) I find it strange that he is the highest insured horse that ran in the derby. Why was that? Not to be inflammatory, but if he had broken down in the race because of his feet, would his owners/connections still gotten a big pay off anyway? I think he is insured for 50 million.

3) While watching the coverage of the Derby, I thought they said that his trainer has had some issues with abuse/infractions in the past. Is this true or was it a different trainer?

I am feeling *honest* concern for this horse. I am honestly worried about him breaking down during the Preakness. Are their any officals in place so that when the Preakness comes and if he looks off they will pull him from the race?

I am sure I don't need to belabor the point that if Big Brown does break down it will be really, really bad for the racing industry. :( Fox News and other media outlets were covering Eight Belles tonight. Greta van Susteren went "on the record" to say she will not watch horse racing anymore because of this event.

What are they going to do with this horse if he does win? Are they going to breed him even though he has this type of a issue? It would be pure insanity in other disciplines, thats why I ask. Sorry if this offends anyone, I truly want to know what others think.

[Artful]

I think you mean Big Brown.
He will have to pass the vet check in order to race. Otherwise, it's the owners decision whether the horse runs in the Preakness or not.

[Simkie]

Your worry is a bit misplaced. There is no BIG BEN running in the Preakness :lol:

[dressagetraks]

I can't blame anybody for having a mental block on this horse's name. :lol:

He was the highest insured horse because of his talent and potential value at stud. The figure isn't outrageous given his brilliance and the potential stud deal.

About the inadvisability of passing these genetics on with his feet, I absolutely agree.

He will have to pass vet exam at Baltimore, but unfortunately, not all racing injuries can be prevented by vet exam before. Sometimes, things just happen mid race, with no warning.

[dsgshowmom]

Your worry is a bit misplaced. There is no BIG BEN running in the Preakness :lol:

LOL, changed the title. Big Ben was a show jumper. Sorry for the mistake. :winkgrin:

[Frog]

I'm not sure they have announced that this horse is Preakness-bound.

[Laurierace]

Big Brown will be arriving at Pimlico tomorrow.

[bobbybobby]

if people are so worried about the race ,do not watch it.....the horse is in the very best hands possible....why can't people enjoy the greatness of the horse...to many people like to second guess and speculate....mind your own business and find something positive !!!!!

[Thomas_1]

Why don't you contact the horse's connections and ask them what you want to know.

[Reds-n-Greys]

How extensive is the vet exam prior to the race? Is it a jog where they watch the horse move or do they do a hands on exam? Does the vet make a suggestion, like "ol' Sparky shouldn't run today" or is it like a 3-day where they say thank you very much but ol' Sparky's spun?

I'm not trying to start any arguements here, I just have very little knowledge about racing. Thanks.

[lrkrame2]

I'm getting so frustrated reading some of these posts...

a horse of this caliber is worth so much as a stallion it would be well within their best interests to make sure he goes into a race as sound and as ready as he could possibly be.. Most of these "big horses" get regular x-rays done of their legs in order to ensure that they are 100% ready to run..

If you guys want to talk about how you'll never watch races again or how you're children are scarred, I believe there's a post somewhere with the direct link to the PETA message board... I'm sure they'd love to hear it... Meanwhile, stay off the racing board and leave it for something more productive..

[Theworldover]

Wow, you guys are harsh. All dsgshowmom wanted was to talk about something that concerns him/her and most of you have jumped all over him/her about it. If you have nothing good to say, just don't say it, instead of adding how frustrated you are on such topics and for anyone to not watch a derby if they don't like it. :no: geez!

[findeight]

His risks in the Preakness are no more or less then any other Derby winner coming off a big effort. Don't read so much into things-just about the same things apply every year whether it has glue on shoes or not. It is tough to come back on two weeks rest in another state and tougher still to come back 3 weeks after that to Belmont. 99% can't get it done.

He was fairly the highest insured because he is a future stallion and did have a grade 1 stakes win and a high speed index-something most of the rest lacked. Ownership has a say in valuation and I do not fault them for going with a high number and see no dark side for that with such a publically visable horse.

Yes, that trainer has had some (bad) drug trouble in his own life and was set down in, maybe, 2005 (?) for two positive tests then for violating the suspension by being on the property while suspended. Front page story with pics in the USA Today last week. No other horses raced by him have tested positive for anything since and I don't think any did before that either.

And, ya know, if Greta Van Susteren never watches another race? Ummm...how many did she ever watch before? Or was she one of those inane babbling celebs spouting nonsense before a race? Not a huge loss there.

It IS interesting that the trainer, who is a bit of a blowhard/braggert has really toned it down. I think he knows what he may have and it's just now setting in. he says no workouts for the colt to save his feet. Conditioning gallops only. I got a problem with that as a breeding stallion, mare sydicates and individual owners may as well so only time will tell on that front. But that has NOTHING to do with the races themselves.

[Glimmerglass]

Greta van Susteren went "on the record" to say she will not watch horse racing anymore because of this event.

I'll make a deal with her: no more racing for Greta and I'll thankfully skip watching her show - not sure how I'll survive without another segment on Drew Peterson. Like oxygen I tell ya ;)

Seriously though.

BB is likely the most pampered horse you'll find walking into Old Hilltop .. err Pimlico for those not familiar. In case it has been lost in the noise IEAH has so much riding on him (UPS now too with their name connection) that his mental condition, physical attention, needs and wants will all be constantly examined and satisfied. He has a top notch expert addressing his feet, etc.

Horses are examined before they go out in a race, a jockey has a duty to inform stewards if they suspect there are issues in the post parade, and with so much media and 80k people watching a lame horse will be spotted. I'm certain his majority owners, IEAH, would rather scratch and preserve his perfect record then letting him "just go out there" in hopes of finish maybe in the money if they have doubt.

Still at the end of the day an 1,100 lb animal rushing out of a gate and reach 35-mph with a few strides opens a door to the potential for disappointment and yes accidents. From clipped heels to bad steps to engaging in burned out speed duels, getting boxed in at the rail or pushed out wide almost anything can occur.

[BLBGP]

Are his hoof problems genetic? Here we are talking about breeding possibly being a cause for catastrophic breakdowns and yet here's a horse with awful feet insured for millions because of his potential in the breeding shed. My appologies if his feet have nothing to do with genetics but....

[jengersnap]

How extensive is the vet exam prior to the race? Is it a jog where they watch the horse move or do they do a hands on exam? Does the vet make a suggestion, like "ol' Sparky shouldn't run today" or is it like a 3-day where they say thank you very much but ol' Sparky's spun?

I'm not trying to start any arguements here, I just have very little knowledge about racing. Thanks.

Yes, they are hands on. Your horse's legs, all four, are picked up, prodded, flexed then jogged out. The vet has an absolute power to scratch a horse right then and there in the vet check in the morning. There is also a vet on the frontside while walking and saddling before going to post, and s/he also can scratch a horse right then and there or reinspect the horse. A horse that draws attention post race (bad steps, bleeds, etc) also will be noticed by the vet and put on the vet's list to be reinspected again. This could be a scope of the lungs, a work in front of the vet, or whatever else the vet deems appropriate. The state vets are not the same vets that care for the horse for the owners/trainers. Thank you for asking a real question.

[InVA]

1)
:( Fox News and other media outlets were covering Eight Belles tonight. Greta van Susteren went "on the record" to say she will not watch horse racing anymore because of this event.

W.


Fox News, eh?? WHAT A SURPRISE! They are in the sensation and let's be hysterical BUSINESS!

[dressagetraks]

About the pre race inspections, I forget which race it was, but when I was at Oaklawn on Arkansas Derby Day, there was one horse in one race (NOT the AD, an earlier race) that the vet at the gate obviously was talking with the jockey quite a bit about, don't know which one, vet or jockey, first expressed concern. They had a pretty thorough examination of that horse right there behind the starting gate, including moving him away and then back, then re-examining, while all the others were kept back circling, and then they scratched him from the race. I was very impressed with the obvious thoroughness of it, no feeling at all of "we need to hurry up and get this show on the road." Their concern right then was purely the horse, okay to run or not.

The vets are as careful as they can be. The owners would much rather have BB and the megabucks stallion deal they no doubt will get than have the insurance money.

[Reds-n-Greys]

Thanks Jengersnap and dressagetraks, and another question please...are tb's routinely x-rayed prior to or after a race?

[hitchinmygetalong]

Thanks Jengersnap and dressagetraks, and another question please...are tb's routinely x-rayed prior to or after a race?

No.

But those legs/feet and treated with tender loving care and are carefully examined... often.

As for the genetics question: SPEED TRUMPS FEET. SPEED TRUMPS CROOKED LEGS. SPEED TRUMPS... EVERYTHING. Once a stallion hits a dinger, either at the sales or on the track, he's home free. Speed trumps everything.

[Larksmom]

Fox News, eh?? WHAT A SURPRISE! They are in the sensation and let's be hysterical BUSINESS!

Neil Cavuto had a PeTA person on, and he had her for lunch. Got her to admit they want racing banned. Made her look like a fool. Of course, that wasn't difficult.
Greta IS a fool and you watch her at your own risk.

[dsgshowmom]

I wonder what will happen if Big Brown breaks down today........

Will they get a big payout?