Moutaineer/Sugarcreek rescue-help needed

[BansheeBreeze]

I have been tracking a horse named Systamatic Saint that I used to work with since he got claimed from our barn. He is a very very special horse to me. He slipped further and further down and now he is at his end. He became property of Bart Baird, a trainer at Mountaineer Park who is well known for sending castoffs to the Sugarcreek auction for kill buyers. I have talked to several people involved in rescuing horses from Mountaineer. He ran once again very poorly the other day and word is that Saint is going to the kill auction this Friday. Although Baird has my contact info and knows I want to buy this horse, he has not gotten back to me, nor do I expect him to.

I have his tattoo # G09927 and pictures so hopefully he can be saved at the auction. I am not asking for money or donations but I do not have much right now. I will probably have just enough to buy him for meat prices, but would need to have him either stay on a farm or be shipped to Turfway Park or Chicago, he will have a home at either place. I would reimburse any costs within the next couple months.

If anybody will be attending the auctionand could help ID him, buy him, board him temporarily and/OR provide shipping(anything will help!), please contact me ASAP. I don't necessarily need to own him, he was very sound when we had him and would make a nice riding horse. I helped save this horse's life once before and I cannot bare to see him end up with this fate. Thank you.

Laura Holmes
lhracing@hotmail.com
(847)878-5378

http://a955.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/122/l_9a011b11ea2dc1eda7d48d583c0b349a.jpg

[Equinoxfox]

I have posted a Thread up here about "Sugarcreek Slaughter" had lots of responses and there is even more.. SEVERAL of us are planning a trip there and I wish we could get ALOT more people to do the same.. If we could gather a bunch of capable and able equestrians to go and purchase just one OTTB.. and give it a second chance home .. What a great statement that would make.. Think about it Band Together In Masses.. that is the way to kill the Meat Man....;)

[TampaBayEquine]

BansheeBreeze,
I really, really ,really hope you find Systamatic Saint. Good for you for trying so hard, he looks like such a kind horse in his pic! Maybe put the same post on the other forums too, lots of other tb lovers on COTH ! I hope someone finds him before it is too late....

[seeuatx]

May I cross post this over on exracers? There are several people in that area who might be able to help, some with contacts at Mountaineer.

[Equinoxfox]

Yeah Me too. Read some of my other Threads.. I am trying to get a group to go there and do a shopping trip. WE need to save these wonderful horses..:mad:

[TampaBayEquine]

Yeah Me too. Read some of my other Threads.. I am trying to get a group to go there and do a shopping trip. WE need to save these wonderful horses..:mad:

If you get a group together, would you be able to post pics of the horses you rescue, maybe on a" chronicle of my horse page?" Update it here and on the other threads regularly....Can you add a paypal link? I know I would be willing to make donations through Paypal, mabe others would too! Maybe it would help a little? Good luck!

[cloudyandcallie]

does anyone have a paypal account to give donations to save this horse to???? of course, since all the other horses don't have this kind of support,they are going to die. :eek:
people need to stop breeding dogs and cats and horses!!!!

[BansheeBreeze]

Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated. Spread the word, I have posted on the alexbrown forums and gotten alot of help there but the more people that can rally behind this horse, the better chance we have of saving him. He is an amazing and unique horse. I fully plan on making him a poster child for this issue, especially with a name like "Systamatic Saint". I am working on an article that I plan to submit to newspapers and magazines, and I hope to have a happy ending for the situation. My main goal is to get him out but I am not settling after that. This whole situation needs to be brought to light and stopped.

I'm not sure how to set up a paypal but if somebody could, maybe even a quickie temp website or something, that would be fantastic.

[caffeinated]

You mention that the trainer has your contact information, but have you actually been able to talk to him? Or tried to get ahold of him recently?

It's hard for me to imagine someone turning away money in his pocket, if you'll give more than a dealer would, no questions asked...

[BansheeBreeze]

You mention that the trainer has your contact information, but have you actually been able to talk to him? Or tried to get ahold of him recently?

It's hard for me to imagine someone turning away money in his pocket, if you'll give more than a dealer would, no questions asked...

I haven't been able to talk to him directly, and have been told to not expect him to sell the horse to me outright, even if I could give him more than a dealer. Big part of the problem is, that even if I can buy him straight from the trainer, I live several states away and cannot afford to have a horse hauled that distance at the moment. It would take several days to get him a check and for it to clear unless I money ordered it or something, and I dont' think he's they type to sit around and wait. For this man, it is a regular occurance to do this, he makes half his living sending horses to the killers and allegedly even sneaks horses off the track so he does not have to sign them out. I do NOT trust this man to send him money not expect something to happen to the horse despite.

[seeuatx]

I cross posted to Exracers and Aftertheraces forums, and added a link to the Fugly comments. Hopefully you will get some responses. I am rooting for you and your "Saint".... I hope it all works out in the end.

[caffeinated]

I haven't been able to talk to him directly, and have been told to not expect him to sell the horse to me outright, even if I could give him more than a dealer. Big part of the problem is, that even if I can buy him straight from the trainer, I live several states away and cannot afford to have a horse hauled that distance at the moment.

Isn't there someone on here or exracers who trains at mountaineer?

I'd be really uncomfortable waiting for the horse to be sent off and hope he shows up at sugarcreek where people there can help- it just seems like there's so much room for something to happen there...

This has to be really frustrating. I wish it was easier :(

[DickHertz]

Jessi P trains at Mountaineer, but according to her the Baird's don't send horses to the killers so maybe there is hope after all. :rolleyes:

[Bluey]

First, I am not sure you can ask for money thru this site, unless you are a registered rescue.

Second, two years ago, on another horse forum, someone asked for donations to "save" a horse, many of us sent some money and items for the horse, the horse was supposed to be shipped to a regular, well known rescue, along with what items had been sent for that horse.

We did hear that she did buy the horse, but then "decide to keep it for herself", the horse didn't go to the rescue.
That poster was someone without any means to buy a very cheap horse, much less support it, other than the donations given to her.:eek:
The rescue never received the horse or any other from her.
We just hope that horse is ok.:confused:

Just a head's up on these kinds of deals.

If this poster is on the level and really accountable, good luck on her search.:yes:

[BansheeBreeze]

First, I am not sure you can ask for money thru this site, unless you are a registered rescue.

Second, two years ago, on another horse forum, someone asked for donations to "save" a horse, many of us sent some money and items for the horse, the horse was supposed to be shipped to a regular, well known rescue, along with what items had been sent for that horse.

We did hear that she did buy the horse, but then "decide to keep it for herself", the horse didn't go to the rescue.
That poster was someone without any means to buy a very cheap horse, much less support it, other than the donations given to her.:eek:
The rescue never received the horse or any other from her.
We just hope that horse is ok.:confused:

Just a head's up on these kinds of deals.

If this poster is on the level and really accountable, good luck on her search.:yes:

I completely understand your concern but I did not and am not asking for money, as stated in my original post. Just looking for anybody that might be willing to help out in locating or transporting the horse. I wanted to let people know that I don't have much money so they don't get the idea that I can just walk up, buy the horse and pay a shipper to send him to me. It is hard when I am several states away to work things out and were I closer, would go to the track myself. I asked how to set up a paypal, because other people suggested it, and I do have some friends and family that would like to help, it would be easier to put together the pay pal for the person attending the sale. I apologize if there was any misunderstanding of my intentions.

I did message Jessi P about this, and unfortunately yes, Baird is still sending horses to the killers and I have heard from people with contacts at Mountaineer that this horse is indeed auction bound.

[BansheeBreeze]

looked up Saint's PP. He was last owned before Baird by "Whitney Racing Stables", trained by William Downing. I just read on the Little Cliff thread that Marylou Whitney takes back horses she has previously owned that cannot run anymore. Would she be the same Whitney that owned Saint? Hard to think her trainer would send a horse to Baird if she did do that, as Saint was not claimed. If it's her, does anybody have contact info? Perhaps she didn't know what happened and may be able to give him a good retirement home.

[seeuatx]

Hi Banshee.

I posted over on exracers and have gotten some interest in people who would like to help. check out http://nhrexracers.proboards70.com/index.cgi?board=Main

[moonriverfarm]

I HAVE A HOME FOR UP TO THREE HORSES.
If the COTH train can get them, to Alabama they have a HOME.
Anytime, from whichever auction.
Check my website.

[NMK]

Banshee, do you know if this horse has been located as of today?

Nancy

[DickHertz]

Surely, Jessi P or someone from Mountaineer can walk down to Bart Baird's barn and tell him about the situation, no?

[tbracer65]

I doubt this horse will be going to auction as of yet. He actually didn't run a bad race for first time over the surface at MNR:

http://www.drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesIndexAction.do?TRK=MNR&CTY=USA&DATE=20080516&RN=5

I do know Bart from the past & he's not the 'death' man like everyone makes him out to be. He's actually a very nice person & WILL work with you. If he knows someone really wants a horse, he will sell it to you before sending it to auction. When you have as many horses as Dale did & Bart has now -- it is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to find them all homes when they are done with their career & with the constant turn around of horses there's only so much room to keep them. Hay & feed prices are up & horses are selling for cheaper than it costs to feed one for a month. I'm sure someone at Mountaineer can go to Bart & give him your phone number & he'll contact you. Or the other way around -- they can get his number for you & you can contact him.

[cloudyandcallie]

ok I have the new holland paypal listing.
now is there a paypal account to rescue this horse? if an existing rescue service can handle it, I'll send my $ there and they can get this horse Saint. and of course we get the tax deduction if it is a charity.
let us know as if not I'll go ahead and send my check to the address the threat starter gave me so she can rescue her horse.
lots more need help.
can the new holland people put their paypal account and info on here? lots easier than slow mail.
do the rules allow for this.
I've got the new holland info, so don't send it to me, but if you can post it here for others, do so.
those women are great to rescue and go into the kill pen. too bad they cannot save them all.:(

[DickHertz]

While I agree about finding homes for horses when you have 120 to take care of - that doesn't mean they get a free pass as far as their character. Personally, I would never want that many horses (or even 1/5 that amount) because I don't feel like I could give them the necessary care while I was taking care of them or after they were done racing.

[cloudyandcallie]

thanks for posting that ex racers forum. I know about other rescues but always like to know more. canter and all are wonderful too.

[BansheeBreeze]

From what people have been telling me, they HAVE gone to the barns and talked to Bart and he has said he doesn't intend to race the horse anymore. According to several people he has been informed of my interest and been given my contact info. Unless ALL these people are lying, I doubt I am getting the horse back directly from him. I called Moutaineer and they can only leave him a message, the lady said she saw him every day and would make sure he got it, so he's got no excuses for not calling me back.

I have messaged Jessi P but have gotten no response.

[DickHertz]

I called Moutaineer and they can only leave him a message, the lady said she saw him every day and would make sure he got it, so he's got no excuses for not calling me back.


His excuse will be that Rudibaugh is less time consuming than dealing with someone who wants to give the horse a home.

[bobbybobby]

bansheebreeze...i am on the phone with bart baird right now..he said you have not contacted him....if you want to buy the horse contact him [edit]

[Obi]

I thought this posting was about locating a horse:sadsmile:

[LKF]

I can't understand what the BIG deal is about getting this horse. I know for a fact that if a horse isn't making it at the track, trainers want to sell them ASAP and make room for a new prospect. All this person has to do is put a call into this trainer and show up with a rig in tow. IT'S EASY!
Tell the trainer the horse you want to buy, arrange for a time and day to go over to Mountaineer, and get the damn horse!
Why do people have to make it harder than it really is?

Sorry . . I'm a bit fed up.

[BansheeBreeze]

bansheebreeze...i am on the phone with bart baird right now..he said you have not contacted him....if you want to buy the horse contact him .don't keep telling lies...

Excuse me but first off, why do you have to come into a thread about helping a horse to pick a fight with somebody? Do it on your own agenda. Second, don't dare call me a liar, I stated that PEOPLE WERE TELLING ME they had given Baird my information. I'm not from the area, don't know people, and am having to go by alot of stories to sort out what's going on and what I need to do. I finally did get a message to Baird MYSELF and although missed his calls, he did not leave a call back # so I will be hopefully hearing from him in the morning and getting some things worked out.

[BansheeBreeze]

I can't understand what the BIG deal is about getting this horse. I know for a fact that if a horse isn't making it at the track, trainers want to sell them ASAP and make room for a new prospect. All this person has to do is put a call into this trainer and show up with a rig in tow. IT'S EASY!
Tell the trainer the horse you want to buy, arrange for a time and day to go over to Mountaineer, and get the damn horse!
Why do people have to make it harder than it really is?

Sorry . . I'm a bit fed up.

Well I'm sorry you're fed up. I live in Chicago and am therefore not able to just waltz in with the horse trailer I don't have to a racetrack that's only a few states away and scoop the horse up and drive off into the sunset. It's a bit more complicated than that. I am just trying to get some help and information so this horse doesn't end up going somewhere bad.

[bobbybobby]

some people like to add drama...bart did leave you a message......who said horse was going to a sale ?????? there were no plans to get rid of ...the bairds are very very good people....if you ever met them you would feel stupid for acting like this.....some people are just goofy....

[Moderator 1]

We've removed a quantity of personal argumentative commentary.

It appears as though the OP is now in contact with the current owner of the horse she's interested in securing a home for and they can work out the details of the purchase arrangement privately.

Regardless of the good intentions of those involved, the board is not able to support specific private rescue/adoption/purchase efforts or transactions between individuals not involving a recognized rescue or placement agency.

Thanks for your understanding,
Mod 1