Good taste notwithstanding, I get don’t get the rule against altering a horse’s outside appearance. Altering what’s happening inside a horse seems to have more relevance, don’t you think?
So, is it because these herd animals would be so transfixed staring at a rival leader’s hind-end that it won’t keep its mind on its own business?
But there must be something to this appearance thing since it’s the rule in most racing states. However, this incident could have been more than just a quaint distraction.
Remember when so much was made regarding the use of a pre-race detention barn, that upsetting a horse’s normal routine could adversely affect performance?
Well, before noon on Saturday, Hansen had his near white tail colored blue but after the Keeneland stewards got wind of it, they made it known they wouldn’t buying any of Dr. Hansen’s tail spin.
It is good that any proceeds gained from Hansen’s unique appearance would have gone to charity, and the notion that young children might get interested in the sport because of this cool, white horse with a blue tail also is well intentioned. Arguments that if the Keeneland stewards made an exception, creating some Pandora’s coloring box in the future, made sense, too. Besides, no one person should be bigger than the game.
But the fact that the NYRA stewards, and those at Turfway Park, failed to allow it, and that Dr. Hansen was advised not to do so but had the tail colored Saturday morning anyway, could have resulted in a formal hearing and a fine. Fearing that his horse might be ordered scratched, the blue tail was restored to its natural color.
Trainer Mike Maker, whose horses, Hansen and Gung Ho, finished second and third, respectively, did not sound especially pleased by the events of the afternoon, telling the Louisville Courier-Journal after the race:
“My job is to bring the horse over ready for the race and I did my job,” adding that the effect on the horse was “probably minor.” Then Maker said this:
“It wasn’t something that you wanted, to keep going in [the stall] and aggravating the horse. And that’s what happened. You want him to get out and do his job and leave him alone. But that’s just me.”
Would Dullahan have run Hansen down anyway, given the strong Polytrack fractions set by the eventual runnerup? More than likely.
But you would hope that any 6-5 Blue Grass favorite would have a quiet afternoon before running in its final Derby prep. And Hansen’s afternoon apparently was anything but routine.
Records the Residue of Design
Apparently the pre-Blue Grass hoopla worked as Keeneland set attendance and handle records. The 40,617 in attendance were nearly 7,000 more than the previous record set in 2007. All-sources wagering of $21,647,378.17 was nearly $2.5 million higher than the former mark. Big numbers.
“We are fortunate to have the greatest fan base in the world and they came out in droves to enjoy the high-quality racing,” said Keeneland President and CEO, Nick Nicholson. “We want to thank everyone who helped make this day special.”
Nicholson should thank his executives and himself, too. A few decades ago, the track was so staid and uppity that they thought having someone call the races there was so bourgeois. Then along came simulcasting and competition for the affections of bettors.
Keeneland embraced the challenge and the horseplayers. First came someone to call the races, then the institution some of the friendliest takeout rates in the country, broadcasting in high definition, Trakus, fractional betting in multi-race pools and exotics and, this year, for the first time on any American racetrack, fractional wagers in every pool on track.
Keeneland tries harder and their customers obviously appreciate it. The only change the betting public didn’t appreciate was the installation of a synthetic racetrack that produced results so random that the best boutique race meet in the United States was falling out of favor. It got so that horseplayers would look at turf races only and eschew Polytrack events.
But rather than change back to conventional dirt, they tried to help the player instead. In addition to the usual handicapping information tracks provide bettors, they went further. They established a database dedicated to Polytrack handicapping and provide a Trakus ground loss system that converts wide trips into lengths, bringing some science to the art of trip handicapping.
Wind measurements are precise, including data on average speed, gusts and direction in degrees, the amount of rainfall in the last 15 minutes, and precise track maintenance schedules. From the Keeneland’s website on Sunday:
“The Gallop Master will be used once after training with the tines set at 4, and once with the tines set at 3.5 inches. It will be used again after races 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 with the tines set at 3.5 inches. The grass height is 5.5 inches and the rail is down,” etc, etc.
Good product and customer service; that's the bottom line.
16 Apr 2012 at 03:54 am | #
The Trakus system is the greatest meaningful tool to come along since the bible incorporated Andy Beyers’ numbers. Trip handicappers are anxiously awaiting the implementation at all venues, and the question remains, will the greatest city in the world be the last to acquire it. Are you listening Chuck baby, or does the NYRA still think they are too big to fail?
Think it is fantastic that Keeneland provides all that wind and rain data; only wish I was smart enough to know how to use that information in some tangible manner.
TTT
16 Apr 2012 at 04:12 am | #
When you think about it, a horse’s tail is a magnificent, under-utilized accessory. Think that mini drag parachutes with advertisements should be attached to each horse’s tail, and the jockey can pull the rip cord after the wire displaying the ad, which will also assist the jockey in slowing down over zealous animals in the gallop-out. This would not change the horse’s appearance whatsoever, and the horsemen could pick up much needed financial aid. Not as bizarre as it may sound in a world gone mad.
TTT
16 Apr 2012 at 07:02 am | #
The parachute idea is quite novel, although many ofmy horses have little slowing down near the end of a race.
But c’mon, T, a tailwind down the backstretch at once gives the speed types a little push while simultaneously slowing the late runners as they try to gain momentum into the stretch.
You’re beloved Big A is a wind track due to its layout and open proximitiy to the bay.
As for Polytrack, it’s not unlike dirt in that moisture helps to tighten the surface, thus making it faster and less kickback that dry, cuppy tracks often produce.
16 Apr 2012 at 09:29 am | #
The rules on altering a horse’s appearance are there to prevent against cheating and deceiving the betting public. It doesn’t seem to happen anymore with lip tatoos, etc. but there was a time when trainers would paint over a horse’s markings to make them look like the horse that is in the race program. Obviously, anyone could see it would still be Hansen but once you allow it, what path are you going down?
16 Apr 2012 at 02:03 pm | #
“It wasn’t something that you wanted, to keep going in [the stall] and aggravating the horse. And that’s what happened. You want him to get out and do his job and leave him alone. But that’s just me.”
Not a “Life At Ten” level of offense, to be sure, but the potential for animal and/or bettor abuse merits examination.
I noticed Hansen the quadraped (thanks, JP) rearing several times in the post parade and wondered whether being “on his toes” was a manifestation of eagerness to run or a state of agitation. I was totally unaware that two “tail tinkering” episodes had taken place beforehand. Shouldn’t bettors have been advised of such extracurricular activities?
Hansen the biped is irresponsible if he is indifferent to the amount of money wagered in good faith on his “Tinker Toy.”
To paraphrase Shakespeare, “Neither a talker of tales nor a tinkerer of tails be.”
Bzzzzzz That’s the sound of a tinker bee, Tinker Belle!
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120415/SPORTS08/304150060/Racing-Notebook-Hansen-Mike-Maker-say-they-re-OK
Miscommunication???