I've been to the concrete jungle of Miami Beach
where the 'record' high of 95 and the fires and smoke that wafted across the
area made it hazardous to be outside so i just stayed inside my room at the
Fontainebleu and watched the Preakness.
To see the ride that Kent D. did on Big Brown was
an incredible experience for me (OK, i'm partial because i've read about him
since he was 16 and an apprentice jockey in Md. and he has had his share of ups
and downs since). Looking under his legs and under his arms at the
competition and only doing what it took to win and leaving some left in the tank
for the Belmont was an amazing amount of horsemanship and strategy to me
considering the balls of his feet were perfectly balanced in the irons and he
never lost a stride.
PETA was there but w/ only 15 people and they had
all the rights to protest, but the horsemen who were on TV, including the
trainer to Eight Belles acknowledged there was a problem w/ drugs and young
horses and that they had to face their issues...on TV. They admitted
steroid use every month.
At least they face their issues. Now it comes
down to how well. But i thought it important to focus on the positive to a
wonderful ride. Maybe Endurance Jockeys could ride as well. I never
did. ts
