Spa Wrap Up

[FrankD.]

It\'s over, the leaves are starting to turn, the nights are getting cool, many say 40 days are too many; It does wear on you. I made 27 live appearances a bit under my norm but this day in age many go years without seeing a race track 27 times.

We had 7 fun filled weekend seminars and I met many new faces with whom you chat with throughout the year; sometimes civil other times more spirited! All in good fun with serious horse players who love our troubled sport.

Thanks to Jerry, Alan and Julian for the seminars and to Steve Byk and the BBQ crew for their hospitality. The cult like scene of the BBQ deck has truly evolved into a new and interesting experience every week. The knowledge, experience, wit, assortment of amazing minds and yes the bantering is unmatched anywhere. Truly is must see TV and something I look forward to each and every year.

Racing:

Pletcher had 36 wins, 23 of them were 2 yr olds, Chad Brown was 30 %, Al Stall and Eddie Kenneally had the best meets any KY based trainers have had here in years. Tony Dutrow, Bruce Levine, George Weaver and Phil Serpe all had solid meets. D Wayne & Nick Zito had 4 wins between them and Barclay Tagg took the duck. Special kudos to Kiaran McLaughlin for taking 4 Grade I\'s and Ken McPeek for a rare Alabama/Travers double.

Jockey wise it was all Ramon, he was on his A game all meet. TGJB said it best
\" giving him the rail in a 2 turn race is unfair\" a sheet players delight. Jose Lezcano had an awesome meet and Junior Alvarado & Irad Ortiz proved they belong in the big leagues. I\'ll eat my words on Rosario, he is still a wide Mike but better than I thought and awesome on the engine.

Highlights:

The BBQ deck every weekend and meeting many new friends, Julian & Bill Spillane stories, a dead heat in the Travers and seeing Archwarrior who looks as good as advertised. I pray he stays sound as he will be a lot of fun to see stretch out; a very physical imposing horse who towered over his compeitors in the paddock. The Hopeful being taken by Starlight Partners, local ownership with a good friend as a principal; Shanghai Bobby for sure ran faster than his last 5 today with a wide trip.

Lowlights:

Too many NY bred and bottom level races, Jackson Bend\'s 2 disappointing performances, Shakleford\'s non effort in the mud and scratch in the Forego, the inexcusable facility issues throughout the meet, particularily the sound system which was never right and not meeting miff the 2 days he was up here; bad timing Mike, next year for sure.

Time to take a break and catch up on work and life\'s tasks that have been on hold for the past 7 weeks.

Only 318 days until opening day 2013 and hopefully the pot roast sandwich with onions & horse radish will be properly named the Frank D or frankiedee Mr. Byk!!!!

Good luck,

Frank D.

[richiebee]

FrankD. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It\'s over, the leaves are starting to turn, the
> nights are getting cool, many say 40 days are too
> many; It does wear on you. I made 27 live
> appearances a bit under my norm but this day in
> age many go years without seeing a race track 27
> times.
>
> We had 7 fun filled weekend seminars and I met
> many new faces with whom you chat with throughout
> the year; sometimes civil other times more
> spirited! All in good fun with serious horse
> players who love our troubled sport.
>
> Thanks to Jerry, Alan and Julian for the seminars
> and to Steve Byk and the BBQ crew for their
> hospitality. The cult like scene of the BBQ deck
> has truly evolved into a new and interesting
> experience every week. The knowledge, experience,
> wit, assortment of amazing minds and yes the
> bantering is unmatched anywhere. Truly is must see
> TV and something I look forward to each and every
> year.


Frank: Thanks as always for the seminar wraps, weather reports and other local knowledge. As every Saratoga weekend TGenerate knows, Steve Byk and Carolina Cue provide the facility, JB,AB, Bill and Julian provide the insight and knowledge, but you are, in so many ways, the host. Thanks for the laughs, and for helping me empty the cooler.
 
> Pletcher had 36 wins, 23 of them were 2 yr olds,
> Chad Brown was 30 %, Al Stall and Eddie Kenneally
> had the best meets any KY based trainers have had
> here in years. Tony Dutrow, Bruce Levine, George
> Weaver and Phil Serpe all had solid meets. D Wayne
> & Nick Zito had 4 wins between them and Barclay
> Tagg took the duck. Special kudos to Kiaran
> McLaughlin for taking 4 Grade I\'s and Ken McPeek
> for a rare Alabama/Travers double.

As we discussed, Graham Motion might be a trainer to watch at Belmont. His Team Valor/ Fair Hill contingent were total no shows at the Spa (heat/shipping?). Expect improvement @ Elmont.
>
> Highlights:
>
> The BBQ deck every weekend and meeting many new
> friends, Julian & Bill Spillane stories, a dead
> heat in the Travers and seeing Archwarrior who
> looks as good as advertised. I pray he stays sound
> as he will be a lot of fun to see stretch out; a
> very physical imposing horse who towered over his
> compeitors in the paddock. The Hopeful being taken
> by Starlight Partners, local ownership with a good
> friend as a principal; Shanghai Bobby for sure ran
> faster than his last 5 today with a wide trip.
>
> Lowlights:
>
> Too many NY bred and bottom level races, Jackson
> Bend\'s 2 disappointing performances, Shakleford\'s
> non effort in the mud and scratch in the Forego,
> the inexcusable facility issues throughout the
> meet, particularily the sound system which was
> never right and not meeting miff the 2 days he was
> up here; bad timing Mike, next year for sure.

My biggest disappointment may have been missing Silver Charm, who returned to the Spa after a 20 year layoff, but during the week. I\'m sure if Silver really tried he could have convinced his friends to change their wedding date to a weekday, but I\'m willing to let it pass. Also great to see Michael D. and NC Tony, who have been constant presences on the TG board since I joined in 2004. TopCat Loves the Game, not just for the opportunities for fiscal advancement it presents but also the humor and irony the sport produces. TopCat\'s seemingly photographic memory, and encyclopedic knowledge of many sports, ensures fascinating between race conversation.

Perhaps the most interesting seminar participant this year will remain unnamed because he chose not to identify himself. This older gentleman showed up a few minutes after Alan began his epic Jim Dandy day seminar and asked if this was the Thorograph Seminar. I assured him that it was and the man took a seat behind me, at one of the tables on the periphery of the CaroCue patio.

This man began muttering under his breath about a female jockey (Frank seems to recall the man was talking about Rosie Napravnik; I seem to recall the fellow mentioning Monmouth and assumed he was speaking about Shannon Uske). Let\'s just say that his comments were more pornographic than Thorographic, meaning that rather than discussing her win percentage, her ground loss, or her abilities on turf v dirt, he was addressing (hard to be politically correct here) what he would do to her, when he would do it, and exactly how long it would take him. I looked back over my shoulder a couple of minutes later, and he was gone, possibly to take matters into his own hands in one of the Spa\'s Civil War era lavratories.

> Time to take a break and catch up on work and
> life\'s tasks that have been on hold for the past 7
> weeks.
>
> Only 318 days until opening day 2013 and hopefully
> the pot roast sandwich with onions & horse radish
> will be properly named the Frank D or frankiedee
> Mr. Byk!!!!

Will always remember Saratoga 2012 as the year of the Pot Roast, the re-enactment of the Poseidon Adventure at the Latham Super 8, and the chance to engage JB in mild political debate about the upcoming presidential election.

[Topcat]

richiebee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> FrankD. Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It\'s over, the leaves are starting to turn, the
> > nights are getting cool, many say 40 days are
> too
> > many; It does wear on you. I made 27 live
> > appearances a bit under my norm but this day in
> > age many go years without seeing a race track
> 27
> > times.
> >
> > We had 7 fun filled weekend seminars and I met
> > many new faces with whom you chat with
> throughout
> > the year; sometimes civil other times more
> > spirited! All in good fun with serious horse
> > players who love our troubled sport.
> >
> > Thanks to Jerry, Alan and Julian for the
> seminars
> > and to Steve Byk and the BBQ crew for their
> > hospitality. The cult like scene of the BBQ
> deck
> > has truly evolved into a new and interesting
> > experience every week. The knowledge,
> experience,
> > wit, assortment of amazing minds and yes the
> > bantering is unmatched anywhere. Truly is must
> see
> > TV and something I look forward to each and
> every
> > year.
>
>
> Frank: Thanks as always for the seminar wraps,
> weather reports and other local knowledge. As
> every Saratoga weekend TGenerate knows, Steve Byk
> and Carolina Cue provide the facility, JB,AB, Bill
> and Julian provide the insight and knowledge, but
> you are, in so many ways, the host. Thanks for the
> laughs, and for helping me empty the cooler.
>  
> > Pletcher had 36 wins, 23 of them were 2 yr
> olds,
> > Chad Brown was 30 %, Al Stall and Eddie
> Kenneally
> > had the best meets any KY based trainers have
> had
> > here in years. Tony Dutrow, Bruce Levine,
> George
> > Weaver and Phil Serpe all had solid meets. D
> Wayne
> > & Nick Zito had 4 wins between them and Barclay
> > Tagg took the duck. Special kudos to Kiaran
> > McLaughlin for taking 4 Grade I\'s and Ken
> McPeek
> > for a rare Alabama/Travers double.
>
> As we discussed, Graham Motion might be a trainer
> to watch at Belmont. His Team Valor/ Fair Hill
> contingent were total no shows at the Spa
> (heat/shipping?). Expect improvement @ Elmont.
> >
> > Highlights:
> >
> > The BBQ deck every weekend and meeting many new
> > friends, Julian & Bill Spillane stories, a dead
> > heat in the Travers and seeing Archwarrior who
> > looks as good as advertised. I pray he stays
> sound
> > as he will be a lot of fun to see stretch out;
> a
> > very physical imposing horse who towered over
> his
> > compeitors in the paddock. The Hopeful being
> taken
> > by Starlight Partners, local ownership with a
> good
> > friend as a principal; Shanghai Bobby for sure
> ran
> > faster than his last 5 today with a wide trip.
> >
> > Lowlights:
> >
> > Too many NY bred and bottom level races,
> Jackson
> > Bend\'s 2 disappointing performances,
> Shakleford\'s
> > non effort in the mud and scratch in the
> Forego,
> > the inexcusable facility issues throughout the
> > meet, particularily the sound system which was
> > never right and not meeting miff the 2 days he
> was
> > up here; bad timing Mike, next year for sure.
>
> My biggest disappointment may have been missing
> Silver Charm, who returned to the Spa after a 20
> year layoff, but during the week. I\'m sure if
> Silver really tried he could have convinced his
> friends to change their wedding date to a weekday,
> but I\'m willing to let it pass. Also great to see
> Michael D. and NC Tony, who have been constant
> presences on the TG board since I joined in 2004.
> TopCat Loves the Game, not just for the
> opportunities for fiscal advancement it presents
> but also the humor and irony the sport produces.
> TopCat\'s seemingly photographic memory, and
> encyclopedic knowledge of many sports, ensures
> fascinating between race conversation.
>
> Perhaps the most interesting seminar participant
> this year will remain unnamed because he chose not
> to identify himself. This older gentleman showed
> up a few minutes after Alan began his epic Jim
> Dandy day seminar and asked if this was the
> Thorograph Seminar. I assured him that it was and
> the man took a seat behind me, at one of the
> tables on the periphery of the CaroCue patio.
>
> This man began muttering under his breath about a
> female jockey (Frank seems to recall the man was
> talking about Rosie Napravnik; I seem to recall
> the fellow mentioning Monmouth and assumed he was
> speaking about Shannon Uske). Let\'s just say that
> his comments were more pornographic than
> Thorographic, meaning that rather than discussing
> her win percentage, her ground loss, or her
> abilities on turf v dirt, he was addressing (hard
> to be politically correct here) what he would do
> to her, when he would do it, and exactly how long
> it would take him. I looked back over my shoulder
> a couple of minutes later, and he was gone,
> possibly to take matters into his own hands in one
> of the Spa\'s Civil War era lavratories.
>
> > Time to take a break and catch up on work and
> > life\'s tasks that have been on hold for the past
> 7
> > weeks.
> >
> > Only 318 days until opening day 2013 and
> hopefully
> > the pot roast sandwich with onions & horse
> radish
> > will be properly named the Frank D or
> frankiedee
> > Mr. Byk!!!!
>
> Will always remember Saratoga 2012 as the year of
> the Pot Roast, the re-enactment of the Poseidon
> Adventure at the Latham Super 8, and the chance to
> engage JB in mild political debate about the
> upcoming presidential election.



Sorry we didn\'t have a chance to formally say goodbye, RB, but thanks for the kind words.

Thomas Mitchell! (fist-pump)

Your bachelor\'s degree from RoySLerman University is in the mail.

Hope to be at Belmont on the 29th -- for business, lunch in the Trustees Room, and a few chuckles.


TC

[Silver Charm]

Ritchie sorry I wasnt there longer to see you and lal of the rest of the guys. FrankD and others will attest I am not the Horn Headed Demon I can play on here.

I thought the quality of the racing was pretty darn good over the Meet. 12 horse NY-Bred fields bother me less than 4 horse Allowance races. NYRA shifted the balance of power from a steady diet of 5 1/2F Turf Sprints (Linda Rice) to 5 1/2F 2YO races (Todd Pletcher). At least the latter ensures some of these Fall Stakes 2YO races will have bigger fields.

After a brief exhale and a close of the eyes and rest, the focus turns to Breeders Cup. First it was the Synthetic Surface push and now its the No Lasix push. When did the Breeders Cup decide IT was the racing policy maker. The purses are not their money, its the Breeders and the Owners.

There still is no clear cut favorite for Horse of the Year. A lot to be decided in the next 60 days.....

[miff]

Full Article at Paulick Report:

Willy Beamin\' has a great name. He has a great music video. He gets all the ladies. He also has now twice shown the ability to come back on extremely short rest and win races. Good races. But is this a product of the training methods of Rick Dutrow (no, not those training methods) or is it an underused tactic to maximize a horse\'s potential by ensuring he/she is in the right spot to win?

European and Aussie trainers don\'t shy as much from the extremely short turnaround as do North American conditioners. In fact, if done with a sound horse, there is no reason we shouldn\'t see this more. Now granted, the pool of runners capable of taking that kind of pounding is such short time periods is probably not that large. But it certainly is not limited to one horse. In fact, So You Think (NZ) ran on three days rest once, and on a week or so several other times.

I think there are three contributing factors to the reason why trainers shy from this racing patters:

1.Finding the right spots for runners is key. Having the right race timed on a short turn is probably tough. This cannot be controlled.

2.Year round racing does not allow for a mandatory rest and recuperation period for all thoroughbreds.

3.Conditioning, starting from the youngest ages, does not emphasize building bone, tendon, and muscle to withstand racing and should focus more on interval speed work in order to maximize soundness from day one.


The basic premise behind the horse\'s ability to come back on short rest is the same premise behind why most trainers put in a good work 4-5 days before a scheduled start. It\'s called Supercompensation. As a model for physical training, I think it describes a person/horse/mammal\'s ability to train, recover, and perform. This graph describes the effects well:


As mentioned by a large number of sources this past week, running on 3-4 days rest isn\'t that uncommon. That\'s the reason why the Derby Trial existed in the first place. If you train/race well and come out soundly you can definitely turn around quickly and run again and you can hit that \"optimal\" peak during recovery and really outperform previous races. In fact, this should apply relatively well to handicapping and using a work as an indicator not just of overall fitness, but of a possible \"Super-bounce\", if you will.

But I think this goes back to the point that we Americans don\'t train our horses very efficiently. We rely more on natural talent than true conditioning. Breezing 4-5 furlongs once a week and jogging 12f every day may not be the best method possible. I personally would like to see more interval work, longer jogs, and incline work. But all of that is very difficult to accomplish at mainstream race and training facilities. Standardbred trotters are really big into interval work. So are a lot of international trainers. Doug O\'Neill is a big fan of 8f works and showed their effectiveness with I\'ll Have Another\'s victories this year.

The following is from a study on bone strength and density conducted by D. M. Nunamaker, VMD, Diplomate ACVS entitled, \"On Bucked Shins\" and presented to the AAEP.

•It seems that horses are not born with the right bone structure for racing. They must develop it. Bone can only develop based on its own experience (Wolff\'s Law). Training adapts bone to training and training that mimics racing adapts bone to racing.•It is important to change the inertial properties of MCIII to resist bending in the dorsopalmar direction.•Different exercise programs can change the shape and substance of bone (modeling and remodeling) with hard surfaces giving faster results.•High-speed exercise in small doses seems highly protective against bucked shins, whereas long galloping exercise increases

[TGJB]

This article was also posted on the Ken Sherman (ex-Ragozin) board. Friedman posted a good response, covering some of the same points I have made on this subject, at more length. Worth reading.

[richiebee]

Doug
> O\'Neill is a big fan of 8f works and showed their
> effectiveness with I\'ll Have Another\'s victories

Very effective. In 24 hours IHA went from Triple Crown Candidate to Japanese stallion.
Otherwise a well reasoned article, especially the notion of racing more and training less strenuously in the a.m.

[Rich Curtis]

\"This article was also posted on the Ken Sherman (ex-Ragozin) board.\"

Imagine how many posts that guy will start making after he has taken his first-ever look at a Rags Sheet. As things stand, the only place in all of cyberspace that he has never visited is the Rags ordering page.

[TGJB]

That\'s true of all three of the guys who have posted the most words there over the last couple of years, give or take a set or two that CH may have bought. Chuckles eventually left because they hurt his feelings.

[magicnight]

His what?

[miff]

It\'s tough to nail this because very few horses, as a percentage of the whole racing population, race back very short rest.Tricky will tell you that very few can race back within days and must come out of there prior start \"perfect\" to even try it.

Horses not as sturdy/resilient as before,hardly carry big weight and only race a few times per year at the top level.Seems like every day another good one goes on the shelf or gets retired.

Baffy defies modern theories on training regimen, drilling his horses hard in the am,yet his strike rate at the top level of the game pretty good many years running.