PULLING BACK THE DRAPE-S ON THE DECADE
New York Times sports writer Joe Drape takes a look at the highlights and low-lights of racing during the ‘aughts’. From the successes of Azeri, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta to the lows of Barbaro’s breakdown and Big Brown’s chemical enhancements, to some of the Triple Crown near misses, it was a mixed bag of a decade for racing.
Read what Joe has to say here and then come back to the Paulick Report and let us know what you think.
Tags: azeri, Barbaro, Big Brown, bradford cummings, Joe Drape, new york times, Paulick Report, Rachel Alexandra, Triple Crown, zenyatta
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:59 am
A great piece by Joe.
I agree with most of his observations including his top three choices for horse of the decade - the amazing and under-appreciated Invasor, the undefeated Zenyatta and the back-to-back BC Classic winner Tiznow. And yes, Zenyatta’s victory in this year’s classic was the single best race of the decade.
Pretty amazing to see an established and respected East Coast turf writer have the courage to tell it like it is and mention that the synthetic experiment in California has reduced the number of fatal breakdowns. I’m sure the synthetic and California haters are going to start spewing invectives Joe’s way momentarily…
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:55 am
Joe used to be a top sports writer and a nice guy till he turned on horse racing in the few past years. All he reports now is on rumors and hear say. Saying Invasor better than Ghostzapper? Zenyatta is better than Invasor. He has no clue about racing and trashes the sport every chance he can. His main problem is that he is getting information from wrong people and make him look like a fool. Maybe thats the only way he keeps his job by reporting negative news.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:25 am
Under the heading of Horse Welfare Drape was only able to come up with a few actual changes. Some tougher penalties handed out, the raceday steroids ban, and the apparent success of synthetics in reducing fatal breakdowns in CA. Not much to show for all the talk. Europe has the right idea - we really need to get rid of all the drugs. I Want Revenge’s vet bill, posted on the NYT by Drape, was illuminating. All those drugs - all legal - in a supposedly healthy, fit race horse - and all administered by vets who said the level of drugging was “typical”.
I have to wonder about the “success” of synthetics. Why is it that there was 1 single fatal breakdown in the past 2 years on the dirt track at Saratoga, and so many more, even on synthetics, at Santa Anita? What was the condition of CA’s dirt tracks before they were replaced? What was the condition of horses who ran at those tracks? According to a 2008 Jockey Club study, CA’s death rate in 2008 was slightly higher than that of KY and FL, which would argue that synthetics allow CA horses to survive at a rate that is similar to, but not greater than, the death rate for horses who run on the dirt in other states.
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I’m a huge Joe Drape fan; he’s one of the few turf writers who knows what he’s talking about.
As for your comment, Romulus, what “positive” news would you suggest Mr. Drape report? Increased track safety (oops, it’s no better than before)? Fewer trainers/vets sanctioned for prohibited practices (oops, no better than last year)? More fans at the venues (oops, worse attendance than ever)? Better purses for the blue collar horse and owner who make up the bulk of the card (oops, purses suck just like always everywhere there is no gaming revenue)? New venues being built (oops, tracks are on the verge of going under nearly everywhere)? Standard regs across state lines (oops, rules just as confusing as always)?
Romulus, may I respectfully ask how many racehorses you own? How many mares you bred this year? How many years you paid your due working the backside to get your trainer’s license, owner’s license, pony rider license, whatever license you hold which qualifies you to know the truth… and Joe Drape to know nothing?
Hide behind a phony name, guess a person can any dang thing.
Linda Broussard
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Linda , Sounds like you drank the cool aid. The stands were full and rockin when Zenyatta won BC. Thats positive. Joe Hirsch, now that is a great Turf writer. That is the bar and no one can match him.