Re: Sword Dancer: ? for the board (880 Views)
Posted by:
headstr8ner (IP Logged)
Date: August 30, 2016 03:17PM
Disclosure…First, let me say that I have been a small time “licensed” (important word for this post) horse owner for 30 years. Secondly, I had Flintshire in my Pick 6 and Pick 4.
I have no problem with the art of strategizing with jockeys in the paddock in order to help the athlete (horse) achieve a goal to perform well and make some money. Trainers are the experts with knowledge of the athletes’ health and psychological challenges. What I do not like, is to strategize with the intent of not caring if you hit the board or superfecta, but just to ride defensively in order to help the stablemate get the prize. This is a why I asked the “ethics” question in my post yesterday about Rabbits. I am a licensed professional that is closely monitored by two State Boards. I am required to take many hours of continuing ethics courses and each year “attest” that I completed these workshops. As a licensed horse owner, I would be willing to do the same in order to bring a higher degree of integrity to the business and for the protection of the betting public. The arrangement between Chad Brown and his two jockeys appears to be collusive and somewhat unethical. In addition, it would be more of an injustice if the jockeys equally split the $53,500 first place jock mount and fifth place $2000.00. Maybe the Racing Commission needs to let us know if, in fact, that happened.