LOOK AT IT THIS WAY: BARBARO WAS A RARITY.Byline: KEVIN MODESTI HORSE RACING horse racing, trials of speed involving two or more horses. It includes races among harnessed horses with one of two particular gaits, among saddled Thoroughbreds (or, less frequently, quarterhorses) on a flat track, or among saddled horses over a turf course with ARCADIA - Since Barbaro's death, cynics Cynics (sĭn`ĭks) [Gr.,=doglike, probably from their manners and their meeting place, the Cynosarges, an academy for Athenian youths], ancient school of philosophy founded c.440 B.C. by Antisthenes, a disciple of Socrates. have complained about all the tears shed for a mere horse, and racing fans have struggled to explain what made this horse special. I'll tell you how not to convince people that a particular horse is unique. Do not talk about the funny way he likes his peppermints served, his preference for the music of Herman's Hermits Herman's Hermits were an English rock band in the 1960s, formed in Manchester in 1963. Part of the British Invasion, their trademark simple, non-threatening and clean-cut "boys next door" image made them easier to listen to and more accessible than other British Invasion bands. , or his arm-biting habit that's really a sort of playfulness. The hard-hearted will not be swayed if you sound like one of those cat owners who insist Mittens is practically human. Better to explain what makes every horse unique in the more objective terms associated with performance on the track. Off the top of my head from quick recollection, or as an approximation; without research or calculation; - a phrase used when giving quick and approximate answers to questions, to indicate that a response is not necessarily accurate. See also: Head , I wrote down a dozen characteristics that can define a thoroughbred's career. Then I multiplied the number of variable traits and was stunned by the sheer volume of possible combinations. When you think about it this way, any racehorse racehorse refers usually to thoroughbred but may also include standardbred, trotter. is likely to be one rare individual -- especially an undefeated Kentucky Derby winner. Gender (three major possibilities): The most obvious thing. A horse can be a female, male or gelded geld 1 tr.v. geld·ed or gelt , geld·ing, gelds 1. To castrate (a horse, for example). 2. To deprive of strength or vigor; weaken. male. Age (three): Another basic. A horse can be a 2-year-old, a 3-year-old or an "older" horse at any one moment. Track surface (three): A horse can be better on dirt, better on turf, or the same on each. Let's wait and if there turns out to be "synthetic track" horses too. Off-track tendencies (three): A horse can be a mudder mud·der n. A racehorse that runs well on a wet or muddy track. Noun 1. mudder - a racehorse that runs well on a muddy racetrack bangtail, race horse, racehorse - a horse bred for racing , a mud-hater, or the same in wet weather as dry. Distance preference (four): Sprinter, middle distances, long distances, or all of the above. Running style (three): Front-runner, stretch-runner or versatile. Training (two): Some work enthusiastically in the mornings, some less so. Career arc (three): Precocious, late-blooming, or steady. Consistency (two): Depending on physical or mental factors, some horses fire every time, some are in and out. Health (two): Possibly related to the factor above. A horse can be sound, or injury-prone. Breeding (two): A horse can have a recognized high-quality pedigree, or more modest bloodlines. The good ones tend to race better but not as long, because their breeding value breeding value the sum of gene effects of a breeding animal as measured by the performance of its progeny. aggregate breeding value see true breeding value (below). means earlier retirements. Class (two): A horse either has or doesn't have this ill-defined quality that we'll use as a catch-all for competitiveness, physical bravery and other characteristics that allow some to pull out close races. Consider the possibilities. Multiply the variables: 3times 3 times 3 times 3times 4, etc. ... and you see how many combinations of traits there are. It comes out to a grand total of 93,312 different combinations. Ninety-three thousand! According to The Jockey Club statistics, about 73,000thoroughbreds compete in the typical year. So, theoretically at least, every single one of them could have a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. And remember, we're talking about characteristics that matter on the track, not silly things like a horse's color and nickname around the barn. Barbaro? In almost all of our dozen variables, he had the preferable qualities, given the goals of the typical U.S. horse owner. He was male, a stakes winner on dirt and turf, a stakes winner on muddy and dry dirt, a dominant winner from 1 mile to 1(bul) (he never tried sprints), able to press the pace or come from behind, a good enough worker to win the Kentucky Derby after one prep race in three months, and so on. The one thing Barbaro wasn't was healthy, but that didn't become a dramatic issue until after he won the Derby. Put it all together, and you see not only why Barbaro became an undefeated Derby champion, but why the loss of this rare specimen was widely mourned in the sport. Maybe the cynics will see it too. The weekend: The 23horses available for Kentucky Derby parimutuel future-book wagering through Sunday include four who will be in action this weekend. Circular Quay, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile The Breeders' Cup Juvenile is a Thoroughbred horse race for 2-year-old colts and geldings raced on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup. runner-up to Street Sense, and Notional, the Doug O'Neill-trained San Rafael Stakes The San Rafael Stakes is a race for thoroughbred horses run at Santa Anita Park, located in Arcadia, California. The race is a Grade II event with a purse of $150,000 and is open to three-year-olds willing to race one mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt. winner, are among 14 3-year-olds in Saturday's Risen Star at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Lawrence The Roman runs in Saturday's Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct. Dreaming of Anna Dreaming of Anna (foaled February 5, 2004 at Lantern Hill Farm in Midway, Kentucky) is an American thoroughbred filly racehorse. She was sired by the outstanding English and American stud, Rahy out of the Broad Brush mare, Justenuffheart, who was a multi graded stakes race winner runs in Saturday's Old Hat Stakes for fillies at Gulstream Park. At Santa Anita on Sunday, the field for the San Vicente Stakes The San Vicente Stakes is a race for thoroughbred horses run at Santa Anita Park each year. The race is open to horses, age three, willing to race seven furlongs on the dirt and carries a purse of $150,000. The great racing filly, Busher, won this race against males in 1945. is expected to include Half Famous, Law Breaker, Noble Court and Vaunt. The 7-furlong San Vicente's winners include 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm. The future wager's morning line has Nobiz Like Shobiz Nobiz Like Shobiz (born January 29, 2004) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse, who during his three-year-old season was considered a top contender for the 2007 U.S. Triple Crown series of races. as the 8-1 favorite. heymodesti(AT_SIGN)aol.com (818) 713-3616 CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: no caption (jockey and horse) Chris Carlson/Associated Press Box: OUT OF THE GATE - Kevin Modesti |
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