Disgusted, Just Disgusted

Well, if yesterday wasn’t a whirlwind for the world of horse racing I honestly don’t know what could possibly qualify. We had several top horses racing at Saratoga, topped off by the Whitney Handicap, and Hansen running with a blue tail in the West Virginia Derby. All the talk was centered on either Ron the Greek and could he get his third grade one win and how Hansen should walk all over the entrants in the West Virginia Derby. Neither happened, yet one set off a reaction, which I would have to say I’m utterly disgusted with.

 

As we all know Hansen did not win the West Virginia Derby. He didn’t finish second or third, but fourth. By the comments I read, you would have thought that the horse had the perfect trip before finishing dead last in the field. Ok, let’s review what actually happened shall we? The horse broke well, went for the lead before he encountered a rabbit on a suicide mission by the name of Hero of Order. Was the pace overly quick, at first glance no, compared to Tapizar’s race, not even close. However, notice that while Tapizar cleared the field, got into a good rhythm, and was running comfortably with his ear pricked, up until about a quarter of a mile out, Hansen never relaxed and was constantly hounded by Hero of Order, who was constantly being hounded by his jockey to keep up despite him clearly being finished. It is not rocket science to know that a relaxed horse uses less energy than one that is keyed up.

 

After Hero of Order finally tailed off, Hansen looked as though he actually might still win, despite never fully relaxing. Entering the stretch there was daylight between him and the next horse, but it didn’t last long as the effects finally began to take their toll. The colt still ran valiantly, but had nothing left and was beaten by just over two lengths, not 20, as some may have believed just by reading the hateful comments left over the internet, after the race.

 

What surprises me is that all those hateful comments are focused at the owner and horse. So, Dr. Hansen wanted to run his colt with a blue tail. So he’s enthusiastic, dear god forbid he be enthusiastic. I saw a picture of the blue tail, and did not find it that distasteful. In fact, I barely noticed it, so again, what is the big deal? What is surprising and disgusting is that out of all those hateful, evil comments not one was directed at the rider of Hero of Order. I have nothing against the use of rabbits, it is strategy. However, after the horse is done in, let them gallop out. Do not ride them for all they are worth, after they clearly have nothing left to give. How did such a disgusting ride go unnoticed? The blue tail you say? Get over it. The blue tail did not harm Hansen, the way the jockey rode Hero of Order, on what I heard was a very hot day in WV, was unethical and cruel to the horse. That is what people should be talking about, not a blue tail.

 

After watching that ride, I hope the jockey of Hero of Order was taken aside and reamed by the owner or trainer or both. I hope the stewards took the time to look at that ride and see how disgusting it was. I hope they suspend him for the treatment of that horse. You want to talk about something, and then talk about that. Something that deserves to have anger and heat directed its way. Not about how much a champion sucks, or how his owner is an idiot, or how stupid the blue tail looked, because in the whole scheme of things, which is really worse? That tail, or how Hero of Order was punished during that race?