| 12/18/2003 |
2003 - Mineshaft and Halfbridled |
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2003, Milestone, Highs and Lows Milestones Chris McCarron retires……a great jockey, and ambassador for the sport. But one has to wonder how long will he last at Magna Entertainment Corp., working as GM of Santa Anita? Pat Eddery, another great jockey, hangs up his tack. Joe Hirsch puts away his pen….racing in North America won’t seem the same without his astute observations. Highlights: Funny Cide…..a Cinderella-type horse who was well handled by his canny trainer……until his owners started meddling and naming brands of beer after him. So let’s hope that they back off in 2004 and let Barclay Tagg call the shots. Congaree….a rare survivor, he confirmed that he has guts as well as ability. A great stallion proposition, if he lasts that long. Halfbridled….we haven’t seen the half of her yet. So, being in such good hands, she would appear to be an outstanding proposition for 2004. Mineshaft….in a class of his own, he should have been unbeaten all year. Juddmonte Farms…..a world class operation from top to bottom. No wonder Bobby Frankel won so many stakes races. Richard Mandella……simply a great horseman. Disappointments: The Seabiscuit movie…….a quaint but lightweight Hollywoodization of a fascinating story. But no cure-all for racing, as predicted by the NTRA. And, considering the success of FINDING NEMO, one has to wonder whether an animated version might have been better received……especially by children? The premature end to Empire Maker’s racing career. Michael Paulsen’s handling of his trainer Laura de Seroux. Lowlights: Once again racing authorities in both North America and the U.K., amongst whom in-fighting and politics continue to overshadow the brilliance of on-track action, hogged much of the limelight once again with their tedious machinations. Shame on you….NTRA, Magna, Woodbine, MJC, NYRA, BHB etc. etc.: like bad referees, hogging the limelight of a great game, you are ruining the sport for everyone else. There are too many names to mention in this limited space. But one has to wonder how long Frank Stronach will persevere with his racetrack business, in the face of constant opposition from US hard-boots? And how long will it be before Tim Smith finally gets the chop from the NTRA?……or will the latter just expire on it’s own? |