14 YEAR OLDS

[old school]

As a previous owner of a 14 year old who continues to race each week, I am hopeful there will be a few tracks who tried to round up these special equine athletes that have almost made it to retirement.  I know Monti has had a special year end race for them, but I would encourage the Meadowlands, Freehold, Plainridge, Yonkers, Chester and Pocono to do the same.  The should spread them out with moderate purses money.  Many of these fine horses have raced over a decade thrilling fans and doing their jobs well.  My hat is off to all the senior citizens who can make it to the finish line.  My greatest hope for each of them is toe have a good home beyond racing.  They deserve it.  All the best to all owners, trainers and drivers of these veteran standardbred racehorses.

[Racing Troll]

SPORT SHOULD FOCUS ENTIRELY ON 2, 3, 4 AND 5 YEAR OLDS.   14 YEAR OLDS HAVE NO BUSINESS ON A RACE TRACK

14 YEAR OLDS SHOULD BE BANDED FROM RACING.

PERIOD .

[old school]

I tend to disagree, but respect your opinion. I'm curious to know what your rationale is how you substantiate this claim.  I believe claiming races add to the life of the sport including ownership interest since many people can't afford 20-500K yearlings.

[Racing Troll]

SPORT NEEDS TO RID ITSELF OF THE MA AND PA IMAGE AND GET MORE PROFESSIONAL. 

IF YOU CANT AFFORD THE YEARLING GAME, YOU DONT BELONG IN THE BUSINESS PERIOD

THE CURRENT MODEL OF RACING THE SAME OLD SHIT.  DAY AFTER DAY, IS A RECIPE FOR FAILURE.  NO ONE WANTS TO BET REAL MONEY ON THOSE OLD RATS

[old school]

Ok.  Thanks for the response.  The reality is most people who love horses, but can't afford that amount of money won't be able to participate.  Now, if you had mentioned health effects, I would likely understand that.I do disagree that calling these equine athletes who have given nothing than their best for 12 years racing should not be called "rats.' Horses are anything but rats. I can tell you from owning and driving, there are times when I was very frustrated with them, but they are an animal and deserving of care and respect. Best.........

[Kirbys Ace]

Ok.  Thanks for the response.  The reality is most people who love horses, but can't afford that amount of money won't be able to participate.  Now, if you had mentioned health effects, I would likely understand that.I do disagree that calling these equine athletes who have given nothing than their best for 12 years racing should not be called "rats.' Horses are anything but rats. I can tell you from owning and driving, there are times when I was very frustrated with them, but they are an animal and deserving of care and respect. Best.........

Friend, You have been replying to a imbecile and who hates harness racing..Thus his name says it all. Don't waste your breath!

 

[Calhoun]

As a previous owner of a 14 year old who continues to race each week, I am hopeful there will be a few tracks who tried to round up these special equine athletes that have almost made it to retirement.  I know Monti has had a special year end race for them, but I would encourage the Meadowlands, Freehold, Plainridge, Yonkers, Chester and Pocono to do the same.  The should spread them out with moderate purses money.  Many of these fine horses have raced over a decade thrilling fans and doing their jobs well.  My hat is off to all the senior citizens who can make it to the finish line.  My greatest hope for each of them is toe have a good home beyond racing.  They deserve it.  All the best to all owners, trainers and drivers of these veteran standardbred racehorses.

With all possible due respect, your thoughts here are good and admirable but are likely not shared by many who do not work at the race track.  I do not believe bettors are eager at all to wager on "spread out" races with "moderate purses."  for 14 yo's.  I also don't think there are as many people who get "thrilled" by claiming horses of any age.  Back when the A tracks had $50-$75k claiming races, those were of interest, but not because they were older horses that thrilled us. 

For me, the only thing that drives my interest as a fan is fast horses on big tracks.

Other than that it is a game of hunting carryovers.

That all said, I remember a lot of old claiming horses.  I'm sure others here do as well.   

[FirstUpFrom8Hole]

I used to drive an aged gelding that the owners tried for years to turn out. He'd sulk and go off his feed until we put him back on the track. The old boy loved to race.

[Fatboy]

  I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BIDEN THREAD
I'LL JUST SHOW MYSELF OUT.....

[Calhoun]

  I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BIDEN THREAD
I'LL JUST SHOW MYSELF OUT.....

Maybe shuffle over to the Iceman in New Brunswick thread? 

That one is a real barn burner. 

[Fatboy]

Maybe shuffle over to the Iceman in New Brunswick thread? 

That one is a real barn burner. 

VERY INFORMATIVE

[Fatboy]

Then again Ed you can always count on Calhoun to eat a foot sandwich. At least most of the time he puts his foot in his mouth.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT GUY?  BITTER COFFEE?  ZERO SEX LIFE LIKELY

[Fatboy]

Maybe worried Trump can win again then 0 food stamps for him. Then again winter is fast approaching and it must get dammed cold in that Maytag box.

  Has already burnt his furniture to stay warm.

[Calhoun]

I'm choking on a bowl of cocks

[Fatboy]

omg