Other Racing: Quarters, Harness, Jumps

[Miss Woodford]

Snap Decision wins the Iroquois Hurdle for the third time, running one of the best races of his career! He (and Noah and the Ark, who finished 3rd) are barred from running in the big summer G1s at NYRA because of their stupid age rule, hopefully someone sane up there will grant an exception for Snap as he continues his quest for the elusive Eclipse Award he's been denied the last 3 years.

[Flanders]

Northville Downs, the last racetrack in Michigan, closed in February after 80 years in business. Funding has been approved for the complete redevelopment and they have already started the groundbreaking.

https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/ ... blic-parks

[Mylute]

New G1 race for jumpers will be held the day after the Belmont Stakes.
https://paulickreport.com/news/thorough ... g-festival

The Beverly R. “Peggy” Steinman Stakes (NAS-G1) 2 3/8-miles

[Squeaky]

Two-year old trotting champion Karl is the favorite for the Hambletonian- very impressive prep wins https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=karl% ... XngPU,st:0

Life is funny- there is a lawyer named Karl Trotter in NZ - no idea if that is where name came from.

[Mylute]

This is a Wikipedia article about a phenomenon, but I accidentally came across this and thought I might share it anyway (despite it being Wikipedia lol).

Show Jumping Horse Killings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_jump ... e_killings

It is about all the historic or public events in which show horses have been killed for insurance money. Sad, gruesome read, but nonetheless interesting. I suppose one could say it is adjacent to the Alydar story. Anyway I thought some here might appreciate it. At the very least you can use the Wikipedia page as springboard into your own research.

[Mylute]

I didn't know Australia had jumps racing....

Port Guillaume (Le Havre) won a G3 on the flat turf in France at three, then was sold to Australia. He was purchased as a Melbourne Cup hopeful but he finished 21st behind Verry Elleegant.

The 8 y/o has now won what seems like a big jumps race down under.

https://rsn.racingandsports.com/news/ra ... ume/655620

[Miss Woodford]

Mighty Standardbred warhorse Southwind Amazon picked up career win #133 at Northfield tonight. Now 4 away from tying the USTA record held by Niffit.

[BaroqueAgain1]

Amazing. Is this the last year he can compete?

[Miss Woodford]

Amazing. Is this the last year he can compete?

He could race in amateur driver events or at fair meets as a 15yo, but otherwise this is his last year.

[Squeaky]

Harness horse named Nijinsky who knew? Will be the favorite for the Meadowlands Pace. And is this ChatGPT? Very odd writing style-so many florid adjectives and odd phrasing. https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/ ... _price_123

[sweettalk]

Harness horse named Nijinsky who knew? Will be the favorite for the Meadowlands Pace. And is this ChatGPT? Very odd writing style-so many florid adjectives and odd phrasing. https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/ ... _price_123

funny you mention the writing style, i've been extremely disappointed in the grammar, sentence structures, and vocab use in a LOT of racing articles lately.

[Mylute]

Can someone explain to me what a "heat race" is or what "heats" are?

[Squeaky]

Can someone explain to me what a "heat race" is or what "heats" are?

They are qualifying races before the main event race done in harness racing for big events like the Hambletonian . A horse typically has to finish top 4 to qualify for the final then the top 4 from each heat come back to race in final a few hours later on the same day. Harkens back to the 1800’s when this style of racing was common -sometimes 3 or 4 heats -well-described in the books on Lexington. Could not imagine doing that now with our more fragile horses.

[Curtis]

Can someone explain to me what a "heat race" is or what "heats" are?

They are qualifying races before the main event race done in harness racing for big events like the Hambletonian . A horse typically has to finish top 4 to qualify for the final then the top 4 from each heat come back to race in final a few hours later on the same day. Harkens back to the 1800’s when this style of racing was common -sometimes 3 or 4 heats -well-described in the books on Lexington. Could not imagine doing that now with our more fragile horses.

They do similar with QH’s as trials are run and the top 10 fastest from the group of trials make the final. The trials are not the same day, however. Usually they are a week or two before the final.

[Sunday_Silence_97]

We watched the jump race at Saratoga on Saturday. I wish there was more of that in the US. It was a lot of fun to watch, but had no idea how to bet it.

[Flanders]

Richard Moreau, the leading Standardbred trainer in Canada from 2013 to 2022, was suspended for a blood doping positive. He has 15 days to appeal and is facing a 10 year suspension.

https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/ ... g-positive

If I was the people that bought that horse, I'd be suing.

[Miss Woodford]

Southwind Amazon earned win #134 a Signature Series pace held as part of the Summit County Fair at Northfield Park on Friday. He's been competing at lower levels lately so he went off at 26-1. Instead of his usual front-running style he came from off the pace in a remarkable stretch run to win by a neck in 1:54.3.

[Northport]

Four time National Hunt G1 winner and incredibly well bred Facile Vega has died after suffering a pelvic fracture. Kicked his stall wall with both feet.

https://www.racingpost.com/news/ireland ... VR2f2abqO/

[stark]

American Marcus Orlob did not have quite the Olympic debut he had hoped for.

Orlob and his mount were eliminated from the competition after judges spotted a cut on the horse's hind leg. The pair's elimination ends their 2024 Paris Olympics competition and disqualifies the United States from competing for a team medal.

Each dressage team consists of three horse and rider combinations and one traveling reserve. Unlike in equestrian eventing, dressage pairs may not be substituted once competition has begun. Adrienne Lyle and Helix were the second American duo to compete in Paris. The pair finished third in group 3, just short of clinching an automatic berth to the individual finals. They can still qualify if their overall position holds through tomorrow's continuation of the competition.

Jane, the 10-year-old mare ridden by American Marcus Orlob, reared up seemingly in protest of entering as Antonio Vale and Fine Fellow H of Portugal were leaving the arena.

Orlob and Jane settled in as their test progressed, receiving solid marks from the judges. However, partway through the compulsory test, the jury rang the bell and stopped the pair from continuing.

At the time, it was unclear what the judges saw that elicited concern and caused the excusal. It has since been confirmed that a scratch on the horse's right hind leg was the culprit.

The discipline is under heightened scrutiny concerning horse welfare after an incident of alleged abusive behavior by 2x individual gold medalist, Charlotte Dujardin of Great Britain, came to light just before the Games.

The qualifying round of the competition continues tomorrow morning with American Steffan Peters and the internet-famous "rave horse" Suppenkasper competing for individual standing in group 6.

[Northport]

I think the FEI blood rule is completely justified when it comes to harsh bits or overuse of spurs, but stopping an Olympian mid test because a dime sized fleck of blood is visible on a white sock is just overkill. If the horse was bay they wouldnt have even seen it. If they are going to have a rule disqualifying a horse for a superficial nick on its leg, then let the horses wear boots or polos during the test.