Moleskyn

June 8th, 2012 at 11:40 AM ^

$10 says ESPN's homepage says something along the lines of "I'll NOT Have Another" by 1:00.

This is really disappointing. I was getting my hopes up to be able to see history happen. Hope the horse is ok.

Hagen

June 8th, 2012 at 11:46 AM ^

for another year, but on the bright side, I'm happy the injury either occurred or was noticed before the race.  The last thing anyone would want for the injury to have gone unnoticed or occur mid-race and for the horse to damage him/herself that much more.

JHendo

June 8th, 2012 at 12:36 PM ^

Dullahan was my my pick at the Derby. He's the best closer, but I'm not convinced he'll have the stamina for his down the stretch sprint at the longer Belmont track though. Besides, I haven't checked the updated odds today yet, but the payout may not be worth it on him anymore...

LightTheLamp

June 8th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^

What horse racing needs right now. With Saturdays sports lineup card being the Belmont, Stanley cup, Lbj game 7 and pacquiao fight. People are just going to go golf in the late afternoon and pay no attention to the race.

Committed

June 8th, 2012 at 12:01 PM ^

Too bad. Woulda been cool to see highlights of it for the next twenty years...



Yea right, I'd rather watch grass grow than watch horse racing.

bluebyyou

June 8th, 2012 at 12:18 PM ^

I can't wait until football season gets going again.  Could this be the first post on Mgoblog on horse racing (not that is isn't somewhat newsworthy, maybe).?

wolverine1987

June 8th, 2012 at 12:21 PM ^

I'm a major horse racing fan, even though the sport has been in decline for years now. This is part of the reason--the breed is not as strong as it used to be, and injuries are up, taking potentially great horses out way too early

JNQ_GOBLUE_79

June 8th, 2012 at 12:37 PM ^

If the injury really is only tendinitis, requiring a few months of rest, why would O'Neill say he probably has run his last race.  Seems to me he has plenty of time to get back, run a few races, and be ready for the Breeders Cup Classic in November. 

Sad thing is, even without this injury, there is probably no way he was gonna run as a 4 year old.  There is never any chance to see a horse develop these days.  As soon as they have any success, its off the the breeding shed. 

Bluegoose

June 8th, 2012 at 12:30 PM ^

He did not enter Bodemeister in the Belmont after I'll Have Another nipped his horse at the wire twice at the Derby and the Preakness, concluding he just couldn't beat that horse. 

JHendo

June 8th, 2012 at 12:33 PM ^

I am a fan of horse racing. Went to the Derby this year and my wife and I had planned on spending the day partying it up at Northville Downs tomorrow. Words can't describe how crushed I am right now. Not to throw away by man card on something so petty when all things are considered, but I'm almost on the verge of tears right now.

Moleskyn

June 8th, 2012 at 2:02 PM ^

Not good enough. If you really want to prove yourself, then you must eat 10 atomic wings from Quaker Steak and Lube, without wiping your mouth, drinking anything, or eating anything to help with the pain.

And you must do this whilst simultaneously taming two king cobras.

snoopblue

June 8th, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^

And in a few weeks the horse will be euthanized because it cannot race anymore, because you know, if it can't race for our entertainment and betting enjoyment, why should it even be alive? It's like the equivalent of saying, "Okay Unamed Runningback, your legs are gone and your career is done, so put this mask over your nose and mouth."

JHendo

June 8th, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^

A horse with 2 triple crown race wins is headed in the opposite direction of being euthanized.  This lucky guy will be on his way off to stud now.  A more accurate analogy would be:  A superstar QB with a superbowl ring and an mvp trophy or two has a career ending injury.  The NFL says "sorry about that champ, you're not much good to us on the field now, but your potential offspring is.  Here's 1000 women and a ticket to pound town.  And we'll pay you for each one you do the deed with.  Have a great life and make us some more future superstars."

Believe me, he'll be having a quite nice life from hereon out.

Sopwith

June 8th, 2012 at 1:58 PM ^

... but thousands (yes thousands) of other, less "accomplished" horses at obscure tracks will be.  Drugged-up horses, broken legs, maimed jockeys, yeeesh.  3000+ dead horses from 2009-2011 alone according to a NYT article earlier this year. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/us/death-and-disarray-at-americas-racetracks.html?pagewanted=all

 I loved watching "Seabiscuit" (twice), but after reading that NYT piece, I can't get any enjoyment out of it again.  Sorry to be Buzz Killington, but that sport is an unholy disgrace.  I'd be ok if jockeys just ran themselves around the track (and got to fight with whips along the way, that would be a cool twist), but horses don't volunteer for this nonsense.  

 

JHendo

June 8th, 2012 at 2:35 PM ^

I don't want this to turn into an animals rights debate. But when it comes to domesticated animals, euthanasia is a common way they go out. Heck, at least 4 million cats and dogs are euthanized every year. No domestic animal volunteers for anything, whether they are going to be our dinner or be our house pet. Using horses for sport is something humans have done since they were domesticated. It's what many are bred to do. Like cows, they're a product, and once that product has served it's purpose, if it can't lead a meaningful, and pain free life in some other way, it may have more use to us deceased. Of course there are cases of mistreatment that should be dealt with, just like the assholes who overbreed and mistreat dogs. I respect and completely understand your decision and opinion, but as an animal lover in my own right, I respectfully feel different.

M-Wolverine

June 8th, 2012 at 3:08 PM ^

It's one thing with an elephant in captivity with not enough room to properly live it's life. Another for a domesticated animal that on average lives a lot better life in the care of people than it would as a stray or in the wild.

Sopwith

June 8th, 2012 at 5:11 PM ^

If dogs were breaking their legs doing tricks at the owner's behest, I'd be pretty damned pissed at the owner.  I'm A-OK with keeping a horse as a companion animal including rides.  I have no idea if show jumping causes similar carnage (my guess is not, given the lack of speed and presumably less incentive to drug the horses), but if it does, I'd be as vehemently opposed to that.  

Domestic ownership would be expected to extend the health of an animal as long as you're not pushing them to do something associated with injury/death for sheer entertainment.  I agree with you that millions of animals are euthanized each year (which is a total disgrace in and of itself considering the vast majority are perfectly healthy and adoptable), but it's not the euthanization that I'm arguing against-- it's what caused them to need to be put down that's unethical, in my opinion.