Racing Ponies

Once again nature deals a low blow.  The great, or soon to be great, two year old "Big Guy" has sore shins.  Bummer! Sore shins are of course, the Achilles Heal of race horses.  Once a horse falls into the problem of "hot spots" he is taken off training and allowed mild workouts only.  At least that's what a wise trainer will do.  As for the length of time it takes to heal this ailment - it takes as long as it takes.

Nothing is better that opening day at the track and no track is better than Del Mar.   

The battle between groceries and ponies is as old as groceries themselves.  The choice is simple, it is easy to miss a meal or even a few meals but to miss the excitement of a thoroughbred, your thoroughbred crossing the line is first or second or third is simply not good for the soul.  Ponies need love and attention not placing that bet is the same as condemning them to the category of simple work animals.  Shame!
 

My latest visit, Saturday, to Hollywood Park reminds me again what a fascinating place it is. As diverse as L.A. and as glamorous as Hollywood.

One of the best books on the spirit of thouroughbred racing is My Racing Heart. It cronicles a lifetime of the love of horses while giving a history of the sport itself. Available at Amazon.