Thoroughbred U

January 24, 2015January 24, 2015

Wondering about Wagering

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Next weekend is Superbowl XLIX. I watch the game for the commercials and a good time with my friends, but it is generally a day I can make a little dough too. Sporting events lead to some fun betting for sure. Sometimes, I like to gamble at the races.

I absolutely love to go to the track for live racing. I can not get enough of the people, the horses, and the food. I like to check out everyone’s fashion, meet new folks, catch up with old friends. The horses are simply amazing to take in, I am in awe with their strength and beauty. They are true athletes. The edibles are delicious and irresistible. Then, there is the gift shop. Oh my, I want just about everything in there. One way to limit my spending, at the track stores, is to try to win the money I use there. It is pretty cool to fund a new piece of equestrian jewelry with the reward of placing the right bet. How does one make a good bet? Well, there is no easy answer for that, bummer. The good news is you do not have to spend a lot or be an expert to take a chance. There are many strategies and superstitions to choosing the winner.

First off, pick a track. In the United States there are Thoroughbred racetracks in 29 states. In Kentucky alone we have 5 tracks. It seems no two organizations agree on the number of tracks currently being utilized. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association reports 55. I enjoy live meets best but off-site betting is hugely popular as well. You can go to the track or drive-thru site or casino, use your smart phone or tablet and other computer devices, befriend a bookie, get an account with Television Games Network or a similar site, or all of the above to get your wagers in.

Next, pick the race number. Simply put, you are just choosing the particular race you wish to wager on. Superstition plays heavily here. You may have a tip to bet $5 on the #5 horse in the 5th race., 5 on the 5 in the 5, etc. Other factors that need looking at are: the purse for that race, the length of the race, how many horses are running that race, is it the feature race, does that race have a special wager type, what surface are the horses running on, what is the condition of the track, etc.

Then choose how much to spend and the type of bet. I am a cheap bettor. Most of my bets are $6 or less. Because, too often I go for a horse with good odds I don’t get a lot of return on my money but I don’t lose much either. I am working on becoming a smarter bettor. I still want to minimize the cost of my bet but I need to work on maximizing my potential payoff. This is where you need to decide if you expect the horse to win (be the 1st to finish), place (the 1st or 2nd horse to cross the finish line) or show (the first thru third horse to finish). You can also choose “across the board” which will allow you to collect if your horse shows at the rate for which it finished. Getting fancier, you can choose to exacta which is to pick the 1st and 2nd winner of any race. Choosing trifecta will let you choose the first 3 horses in correct order. If you pick the 1st four, in the right order, it is a superfecta. Any of these options from exacta to superfecta can be boxed because that allows you to pick the correct horses but not the correct order. There are more options like the daily double, pick three, pick four, or pick 5 that allow you to choose the winners of consecutive races. Occasionally, there are special options too like a super high five (and a box option) that will let you pick the first five horses to finish in one particular race. Wheels and keys are options too. Wheels let you pick more horses. Keys let you pick more orders. Watch the math here, you might start with a inexpensive minimum but the number of horses and different winning combinations actually cause the bet to be multiplied to a higher cost. Be sure to check the program for each venues options.

Finally, pick the number of the horse. Are you picking because you like the name, number, the saddle cloth color assigned to the number, the horse, the jockey, the trainer, the breeder, the location the horse was bred? Arghhhh, so many choices! Do you like the name? Does the name give you a gut feeling of being lucky or speaking to you? Numbers and colors may be a feeling of luck. However, it also determines what position the horse gets at the gate. Considering the horse, color can be a big factor. You will often hear people pulling for a grey. You may be interested in looking at the horses behavior in the paddock or before it reaches the gate. Feeling frisky? Pedigree is an important consideration. Does the horse come from a long line of winners? What medications does the horse take and how or why should you care about that? How much weight is the horse carrying? What is the horse’s age and gender? What are all of the former lifetime records? How about the workout record? What is the jockey’s name and what do we know about him or her? What is their weight and what equipment are they carrying? Who trained the horse and do we know anything about their winning history and other biographical information? What about the breeder, and where did the breeding take place? All of these considerations and more come into play. This is why it is important to learn how to read the program. A good program will have a breakdown of a sample entry with explanations of the information and abbreviations used. However, don’t blow off tips and gut feelings. All the handicapping skills you develop still don’t lead to fail proof betting. Long shots can lead to great payouts.

Now, go have some fun! Remember to gamble responsibly if you choose to gamble at all. If it seems like a problem it probably is. Call 1-800-522-4700 for the National Gamblers Helpline if needed. Have a blast at the gift shop rewarding yourself for your skills and/or luck. Or, go straight to the gift shop and get a return on your money dollar per dollar. If you avoid both, you can go have a great time from free to a minimal entry fee. Love the races. Good luck to you all!

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January 19, 2015January 19, 2015

Hamburg Place Horse Cemetery

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Today’s field trip took me to Hamburg Place Horse Cemetery. This is perhaps the final resting place of 18 great horses. I say perhaps, because the horses were buried between 1908 through 1995, but they were moved to the current location in the summer of 2005. These horses belonged to the Madden family. The property where they are now buried stands where the great farm Hamburg Place in Lexington, KY once was, and within view of the former cemetery, where there is now a Wal-Mart.

John Edward Madden was born in 1856. He made his way to Lexington in 1889. By 1896 he had a great Thoroughbred named Hamburg. He sold that horse a year later and with that profit he bought the farm which he named Hamburg Place in 1898. He was a top trainer and breeder from 1901 thru 1928. Madden had many fine horses including Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. He had 5 Kentucky Derby winners, including 1 Triple Crown Winner, 4 Belmont Stakes winners and many other famous winning horses. Sir Barton was the first ever Triple Crown winner. He created his horse cemetery in a horse shoe shape in 1908. In my opinion the current layout is more beautiful. Madden died in 1929.

The 5 Standarbreds on the property are: Nancy Hanks, Silicon, Major Delmar, Hamburg Belle, and Siliko. Nancy Hanks is the horse buried in the center with the large horse moment marking her grave. She was a Harness Racing Hall of Fame horse that ran undefeated and carried a record for speed. Hamburg Belle held several world records herself.

The 13 Thoroughbreds on the grounds are: Ida Pickwick, Ogden, Imp, Plaudit, Star Shoot, Lady Sterling, Sir Martin, Miss Kearney, Princess Mary, Springtime, T.V. Lark, Pink Pigeon, and Bel Sheba. Plaudit was a Kentucky Derby winner. Madden’s grandson bred a Derby winner, Alysheba, using his grandfather’s dam, Bel Sheba. Each of these horses were great.

If you are local to Lexington, or if you are lucky enough to visit, come see the horse cemetery. It is free and quite peaceful. A small park with stone walls, a lighted path, and a bridge over a creek surrounds the graveyard. You will recognize that many of the roads, in the area, are named for the property and the horses. It is nice to have such a sweet little sanctuary in the middle of a shopping center to take us back to where the great bloodlines once grazed.

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January 19, 2015January 19, 2015

The Emperor’s New Clothes

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We all want to be fashionable at the races but, come to think of it, so do the horses and jockeys. So, what is all that stuff they are wearing? There is a pretty specific uniform for both the jockey and the Thoroughbred.

The jockey will wear an outfit that is suitable for safety, sport, identification, and fashion. The basic uniform consists of a helmet, goggles, underclothing, vest, silks, pants, boots, and riding crop. The helmet is required for safety. It must protect the jockey from injury during a fall. It will be fitted with a cover to match the particular silks worn. The jockey may wear multiple layers of goggles, to easily switch out, for a clear view on a muddy track. Underpants are optional and even carry a great deal of superstition for some riders. Ladies stockings may be worn to protect against cooler weather as well. The vest is vented for cooling and padded for safety. It is worn under the silks. The silks are also known as the colours. This article of clothing is a fitted jacket. The horse owner must design and register the appearance of the silks with the National Jockey Club, in the United States. This silk is recognized as belonging to that owner. The registration may be kept for varied time frames. Other countries have their own registration organizations. For over a hundred years the National Jockey Club has been approving, or disapproving if distasteful, the silks for each horse owner. Originally, these jackets were made of silk. Mostly, other lightweight fabrics such as Lycra, nylon, synthetics and polyester are used today. The jockey must be kept comfortable. The pants are white breeches. Riding boots are worn on the jockey’s feet. The jockey may or may not choose to carry a riding crop.

The horse too wears a particular set of gear, more commonly known as tack. Typically, the horse wears various shoes, a blanket or saddle cloth, saddle pad, a saddle, a girth and surcingle, stirrup irons, a bridle with a yoke and fork, a martingale, a numbered saddle cloth and sometimes a tongue strap/tie and blinkers. Each track has rules on the horse shoes. The saddle pad and blanket keep the saddle comfy and in place. The girth and surcingle attach between the yoke and the horses front legs and then all under the saddle to keep it from slipping. The martingale goes over the neck and to the girth. The numbered saddle cloth may be color coded to match the number the horse is racing under. Stirrup irons are where the jockey’s feet go. The bridle fits over the horses head and has a whole range of parts. The bridle is attached to the reins. The bit, and maybe a tongue strap, fit in the horses mouth. These elements help with control of the horse. Blinkers may be worn over the eyes to limit the horses range of vision so it does not get spooked.

So now we know a little more about the emperor’s new clothes. Holy Roman Emperor wore this tack. He is a stallion at Coolmore Stud in Ireland. Born in 2004 he was sired by L’On Vite and his dam was Danehill whose damsire was the great Secretariat. Check out this great beauty on YouTube below.

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January 15, 2015January 19, 2015

Luck O’ The Irish

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This week I made some field trips to Keeneland. This is my field trip follow-UP. I was present for the 57th annual January Horses of All Ages Sale. The event ran from Monday thru Thursday (the 12th thru the 15th). 1,610 Thoroughbreds went up for auction. Historically, Keeneland is the world leader auction house for Thoroughbred sales. The January Sale is one of three sales held there annually.

The weather was cold, the horses were beautiful. Hot chocolate and burgoo , as well as layers of clothing, kept me warm as I walked among the stables and paddock. I encountered some fine horses. Surprisingly, I did not spy any celebrities. However, the people were pretty amazing. It was a diverse crowd of local, national and international buyers and sellers. I had the privilege of speaking with some experienced and knowledgeable Thoroughbred experts.

Each day featured about 400 horses. Of all these horses, 948 sold. The price ranged from eight horses going at $1,000 each to one selling at 2.2 million dollars. The gross amount generated was $35,305,500. The average price was $37,242. The big seller was Up, an Irish filly. She wore hip #537. Her first foal was sold next for $800,000, the highest price of this session for a yearling. Up is a Grade 2 winner. Her sire is Galileo, also Irish. Up is pregnant by War Front. Her yearling was the only foal of War Front at the auction. War Front lives at Claiborne Farm in Paris, KY. He was ranked the #44 sire by earnings last year. Galileo was ranked #1. Both sires have multiple stakes winnings. Up and her foal were sold by Four Star Sales. Up went to a married couple in California with Ran Jan Racing. The yearling went to LNJ Foxwoods.

Keep a look out for this bloodline. It will be interesting to watch the foals race. Will big money mean big winners?

I am looking forward to my next sale field trip on February 8th and 9th at Fasig-Tipton. Hope to see you there.

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January 11, 2015January 19, 2015

What To Wear?

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I am so excited that the Keeneland Sale starts tomorrow. This will be the 57th January sale for horses of all ages at Keeneland. There are 1,610 horses up for auction. I can not wait to see all the beautiful horses and furthermore all the people who travel worldwide to come to this 4 day event. Keeneland has the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house that sells more winners than any other company. There will be all sorts of people there including celebrities. Some people are there strictly for business and others for pleasure. I will be there for both. I need a lot of pictures for this blog and I’m hoping for more insider information from all of the experts that will be there. That brings me to the question, what to wear?

It is going to be a cold week in Lexington, KY. When I say cold, I mean the high temperatures are still freezing. While it is easy enough to make a day at the sales pavilion’s bar area, if you want to be in the action, it is better to go walk around through the stalls and paddocks leading up to the pavilion. This complicates the selection of attire. To be fashionable and weather ready can take some planning.

At the races, I generally chose to dress up a bit, especially if I score access to a preferred room or box seat. The sales are a little different. I need shoes that look good but can handle dirt, mud, manure, snow, straw, etc. Fortunately, equestrian boots must have been the ladies shoe of Christmas 2014. Boots were everywhere, even in grocery stores. A place at the mall was even monogramming beautiful boots. As for clothes, I will see the celebrity wives in cute skirts but I blend in a bit better in pants, even jeans. The January sale is probably best dressed for with accessories. Scarves are wonderful. My favorite designer, by far, is Ralph Lauren. Laurel Burch and Mudpie make some great equestrian pieces too. Who is your favorite designer?

I think Maxwell the pig for GEICO said it best, “boots and pants”! See if this doesn’t get stuck in your head every time you dress! Have fun at the sale. Share your stories with me.

http://youtu.be/6BPbjC47GwM

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January 5, 2015January 10, 2015

Whip It Good! Well, Maybe Bad…

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Tonight I am looking into a controversial topic that is surely worthy of exploration. Why do Thoroughbred horses get whipped at races and even training? Do the whips hurt? Is whipping a horse necessary?

I am a huge animal lover. Anything that brings harm to an animal is offensive to me. Despite my affection for horses I do not ride them. At a young age I was overwhelmed with compassion for the horses I had the opportunity to ride. My young mind could not grasp that a horse could or should carry the weight of a human. I would not put the saddle on tightly either. No way was I going to give a horse a belly jab to get a better fit, so off to the side I slid. I prefer to watch. There are few other thrills more exciting than viewing a live horse race. When the weather is right I walk right up to the finish line, at my favorite track, and wait there. Then, I hear the frightening crack of the whip and I cringe a little. So I must know, what is all the whipping about?

It seems horses have always been whipped from the time man first started domesticating the animal. I do not know when the public began to balk, but by 1980, in England, there became a large demand for change. That sentiment was felt in many countries worldwide including the United States. By 2007, in this country, padding the whip became a requirement. It is interesting that many of these changes are driven by public opinion. This public has two opinions however. One group feels that if a jockey does not whip the horse that they are not really trying hard enough to win. The opposing public feel it is unnecessary, even abusive. It seems from the jockey’s prospective that most enjoy having an option. Great races are won both ways. For the jockey, it may be a matter of protecting the horse and rider.

Because some horses wear blinders, or due to the adrenaline and crowding on the track, many Thoroughbreds may need a little help from the riders. The jockey may need to steer the horse away from running straight on a turn, into a rail, or colliding with another horse and rider. Whipping is one way to cue a horse. However, there are other ways to cue a Thoroughbred too. Verbal clicking and coaching is one method to directing a horse. Some horses respond well to nudges. Often a change of posture in the saddle can be a useful alert. Shaking on the reins can make the horse aware. Note that some horses do not respond to whipping anyways.

Probably to soften the blow, poor choice of phrase, the industry has started to stray from the word whip. Alternative names are sticks, encouragers, ticklers, feather dusters, persuaders and more commonly, riding crops.

Apparently, apprentice jockeys use the whip more than seasoned jockeys. One of the most famous jockeys, Pat Day rarely whipped a horse. Gabriel Saez whipped Eight Belles 10 times in the 2008 Kentucky Derby where she placed and then immediately broke both ankles and was euthanized on the spot. That event initiated an all time low in moral for the American public towards the racing industry.

That same year, Ellis Park in Western Kentucky started using new whips. Later that fall, Keeneland in Lexington, KY, started to experiment with 30 different whips. In America the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) and the Jockey Club create the design for whip rules but they leave each racing jurisdiction to set their own guidelines. The ARCI chose to use trimmed fiberglass rods taped with duct tape, wrapped in fabric , weighing under 8 ounces with a minimum shaft of 0.5 inches in diameter and the flap may be 0.8 to 1.6 inches wide. The handle is rubber and the popper is applied with glue. Kentucky Regulatory Statutes have the same specifications and a maximum length of 30 inches, a flap max of 1/2 inch wide, no binding allowed within 7 inches, use of shock absorbing material is required, and stingers/projections and metal is prohibited. Keeneland makes a Condition Book for each meet. They have the same requirements and they insist that inspections may be made by stewards or scale clerks.

Other ARCI rules are that jockeys have the choice to use the whip or not. If they choose not to use it, that choice will be announced prior to the race. They must first show the horse the whip and give the animal response time before using it, they may only use it again if the horse responds. The whip is to be used in rhythm with the stride. The shoulders or hind should only be struck if for safety. No whipping may occur after the race unless it is used for safety. The whip is not to be used excessively or to cause breaks in the skin or welts. If the horse is not in contention to show or already at its maximum speed it should not be whipped. Finally, a jockey may not whip another jockey or the horse the other jockey is riding, duh.

Many other countries have their own rules too. Some have maximum consecutive whip counts. Many require stride breaks between whips. Frequently the jockey is only permitted to raise their arm so far. Others chose to only allow whipping in certain stages on the race. Also, it is not uncommon to have a veterinarian examine a horse post race for marks and bleeding.

Australia did a widely shared retrospective study in 2011. Five races were watched with 48 Thoroughbreds participating. The study was funded by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The conclusion was that increased whip was not associated with a significant variation in velocity as a predictor of superior placing at the finish ( see An Investigation of Racing Performance and Whip Use by Jockeys in Thoroughbred Races 1/2011 for full disclosure ). This study was applauded by many and equally rebuked by others. The Jockey’s Guild of Nicholasville, KY sent an e-mail that was not in approval. Some think the sample size was too small, that a retrospective study is not proper and that the funding was from a biased organization.

For certain changes are still in the making. The new whips make an impressive popping sound but supposedly do not inflict pain. That makes some jockeys whip even more and harder. If whips were banned by all in training and racing it would level the playing field but often a jockey does not practice with a horse prior to a race so they do not have the relationship to maximize alternative cueing methods and find the whip the best way to keep horse and self safe. California is awaiting final approval in early 2015 to disqualify a horse if it receives more than 3 consecutive whips in a race.

To whip or not to whip? That is the question.

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January 4, 2015January 10, 2015

Who’s Your Daddy?

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What makes a horse a Thoroughbred? It is all about the breeding. Every single horse of this breed is a descendant of 3 original sires (male parents) and a selection of dams (female parents). The stallions (fertile male horses) were the Godolphin Arabian/ Barb, the Darley Arabian, and the Byerly Turk. The Godolphin was named for a Lord of the same name and was from Yemen. The Darley was named for Thomas Darley and was purchased in Syria. The Byerly got his name from Captain Robert Byerly, both horse and rider were from Ireland but the horse may have originated from Turkmenistan. These horses were brought to England between 1689 and 1730.

Early efforts to pedigree and keep books were not sophisticated. By 1791 the first General Stud book was created for Thoroughbreds in England. The first breeding of the Thoroughbred in America took place in both Maryland and Virginia. American horse racing dates back to 1665 but Thoroughbred racing started in the U.S. in 1745. It wasn’t until 1873 that The American Stud book was developed. This was created by Kentucky native Colonel Sanders D. Bruce, not to be confused with another Colonel Sanders of the same state, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. In 1986 The Jockey Club replaced The American Stud book. Blood typing began in 1977. Currently, the United States is the leader in having the most Thoroughbred races.

There are fairly standard characteristics of the breed. These are the fastest of all horses. They are known for their strength. Horses are measured in hands. A Thoroughbred stands at 15 to 17 hands. Each hand is a unit of 4 inches. They have a face in the style of Arabian horses that may or may not be marked with a star, snip or a blaze. The neck is long and the body is muscular. The fur may be colored bay, brown, chestnut, black, gray, roan, palomino or white. The legs are long and lean with possible stockings or socks. Thoroughbreds are certainly beautiful!

Who’s your daddy? It is one of the most important questions to ask about a Thoroughbred. Knowing the sire and dam is the basis for all breeding, sales and racing but it is real easy to find the answer. Just check the pedigree and be certain it started with just three daddies.

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January 4, 2015January 19, 2015

Lucky Horseshoes

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Long ago, 2nd millennium BC, when man first started domesticating horses to do work, they thought it best to provide the animal with some sort of hoof covering. These earliest shoes were made of plants and leather. The term used by the 1st century Romans was hipposandal rather than horseshoe. By 1000 AD it was the main practice in Europe to make the shoe of metal. First they used bronze, later iron, and even silver if in a parade. These shoes were made by blacksmiths and nailed onto the horse’s hooves by farriers. By 1835 the first patented U.S. machine for the production of horseshoes was made by Henry Burden.
Now horseshoes are made from a variety of materials. Aluminum is a lightweight material that is useful for Thoroughbred race horses but shoes may be made of steel, rubber, plastic, magnesium, titanium, copper and iron as well. The design of the shoe has evolved to include the options of toe grabs, bends, jar calks, stickers, traction and more. The house rules at each horse racing track are very specific about which shoes may or may not be allowed. These rules vary for turf, dirt and polytrack. The tracks have specifications for front and hind shoes and what design features they can include. Some horses have been allowed to go bare hoof on the polytrack and have won races that way as well. If you listen carefully and read your racing program/form you will be notified of shoe type and changes before each race.
So, why is a horseshoe lucky? That is up for debate but a few common reasons evolved from folklore. Some considered blacksmiths lucky and even magical from their mastery of fire and iron. Others note that in 400 BC Celtic tribes feared elves and goblins in the woods. The shape of the shoe reminded them of the Celtic moon, also known as god’s crescent. Placing a horseshoe on the door protected the tribe because it scared the goblins and elves. Some people thought the luck came when Saint Dunstan nailed a horseshoe to the devils hoof that hurt the devil so much he agreed never to enter a home that displayed a horseshoe on the door. Others liked the story of Saint Eligius who came upon a possessed horse and had to remove its leg to apply a horseshoe and then reattach the entire leg miraculously fixing the horse. Also, the shoe was commonly attached by 7 nails. Seven is a number that has been associated with luck throughout the ages. The history of the number 7 could probably support its own story.
Still, if the horseshoe is indeed lucky how should it be hung? Many will insist the ends face up when positioned over the door to catch the luck. This is how mine is displayed. Alternatively, some choose to hang the shoe ends down so the luck will pour over those who enter the home as well as keeping the devil out. Others do it both ways in various places on the home to be safe.
Finally, is the shoe best placed on the front or back door? Mine is above the back door but it appears that it would be a great idea to put one above the front door as well. Front seems more prominent in folklore. Also, I enjoy wearing them on my neck and wrist too. It makes for some beautiful jewelry design!

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January 3, 2015January 19, 2015

Giddy Up!

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This day in history: January 2nd 1974, the year of my birth (yikes, I just dated myself) American President Richard Nixon set a national speed limit for the United States. The maximum speed on United States highways was 55 miles per hour. Prior, to the national speed the states controlled the limits themselves. The speed tended to range from 40 to 80 mph. In 1987 some changes began and by 1993 the national limit was repealed and given back to the states discretion.

A Thoroughbred is the fastest breed of horses. Some say they may run 44 mph. The 1973 Triple Crown winner, Secretariat, was estimated to run at 55 mph that same year to win the Belmont.

Horses run in furlongs. 1 furlong is 1/8th of a mile. Horses generally can not continue to run at those top speeds for too long. The Kentucky Derby is “the greatest (or most exciting, or fastest) 2 minutes in sport.” This race is 10 furlongs. Once again, Secretariat is the record holder at 1 minute and 59.40 seconds. Yes, it gets so close they split the seconds. The average winner comes in at about 2 minutes and 2.25 seconds. Winning by a nose in the photo finish is a tough call sometimes. What a thrill!

Today’s lessons: Secretariat was an amazing horse that took home all kinds of records including but not limited to the Triple Crown composed of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes/ horses are crazy fast and the distance they run in measured in furlongs

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January 1, 2015January 6, 2015

Happy Birthday!

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Today is a very special day in so many ways. It’s a new year that brings with it so many endless possibilities. It is also an important birthday to all the Thoroughbred horses in the Northern Hemisphere. Despite what day a foal was born in 2014, today that horse is a 1 year old. On January 1st all of those weanlings turn into yearlings. Even more exciting, all of last years yearlings turn 2 today and they are now allowed to race.

I am passionate about the Thoroughbred racing industry. I have the great fortune of being born into and living in the Bluegrass. I love Lexington, Kentucky, the Horse Capital of the World. I spend much of my free time at Keeneland, my local and likely the best racetrack. I go there for horse racing, horse sales, shopping, charity events, etc. I have made so many connections with important people there and they have helped me to learn so much.

Now I want to learn more and I hope you are interested in what I discover. I decided to take my passion and approach it like I would as if Doctor of Thoroughbred Racing was a degree. That is where the name of this blog was derived, Thoroughbred U (abbreviation for University and also meaning YOU – This blog is for YOU and me).

I know some pretty cool things about horses and I can’t wait to share. Please, pardon my site as I am not only teaching myself about the ponies but I’m a newbie on operating a page as well.

Todays take-aways: newborns are foals, once weaned they are weanlings, on January 1st in the Northern Hemisphere they become yearlings, at 2 years old they can race

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