No. Cal's Cavonnier on the otherhand has learned to listen to
his jockey and will be there at the end for the run down the
stretch. This ability to rate speed is why the "classic"
races are the length they are. Horses that can't be trained
to rate cannot win at the longer distances.
Race horses ARE trained to obey... some do it better than others.
They have to be trained to trot / walk and behave undersaddle
as well as hand gallop...and stay at a controlled gallop EVEN
when being passed by horses running workouts at racing speeds.
Workouts at your local track are quite orderly and controlled.
They have to be for everyone's safety. The horses are trained
to load into the gate quietly and the best ones patiently stand
for the bell (Magnum was NOT very good at this part). They are
not allowed to race until they have shown proper training. They
are not allowed to "breeze" or run at speed for a long time.
There's a lot wrong with horse racing, but there's a lot right
with the horses and what they have been trained to do. They've
just been trained to do different things than ranch horses or
show horses.
Off the soap box now.
:) - kat
and Magnum the TB in Palo Alto CA ... who is STILL saying
"Ahhh HA! THAT's why you do that." and "HEY! I happen to
*Know* you know how to do this. They taught you this at the
TRACK."