Maker on ‘tail’-gate: ‘We’re good. Now it’s on to the Derby’

by | 04.16.2012 | 3:30pm
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On Saturday, Dr. Kendall Hansen, owner of Hansen, had the tail of his horse dyed blue for the Blue Grass at Keeneland. Trainer Mike Maker had the dye removed because he was told by the stewards the horse would have to scratch if he did not do so. Later in the day, Dr. Hansen was told by the stewards it would be allowed, but the dye had already been removed.  Both say they had trouble communicating on cell phones due to Keeneland’s record crowd, reports the Daily Racing Form.

Two days after trainer and owner appeared angry with each other in the paddock before the Blue Grass, Maker says, “We’re good. Now it’s on to the Derby.”

» Read more at Daily Racing Form
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  • Allynn

    WE GOTTA LOVE “THIS GAME”!!!…Dr. HANSEN DOES TOO!!!…ty…

  • Allynn

    GOTTA LOVE “THIS GAME”!!!…

  • IrishMick

    Cute at first, but now Dr. Hansen’s tail fetish is starting to get a little creepy.

    • Tim G.

      Hansen gets all the tail he wants in Moscow. He was just trying to honor the Cats and their NCAA Win.

  • IrishMick

    Cute at first, but now Dr. Hansen’s tail fetish is starting to get a little creepy.

  • Rachel

    I read that while the horse would not be scratched, Hansen and Maker would face fines, etc. That is a lot different than “allowed”…
     
    You can say what you want, but a colt especially picks up the vibes around him…a lot of self serving, ego tripping, I’ll get my way one way or the other going on that afternoon…I would think the Dr. would want a calm, routine race day atmosphere for his really good colt. I’ve only owned 4 stallions, but they seem to especially appreciate consistent routine and expectations.

    • JC

      “I’ve only owned 4 stallions, but they seem to especially appreciate consistent routine and expectations”.

      I’m a medical person(true; humans, not horses) but in essence one is also trained(on that score) as something of a biologist.   What Rachel says here makes PERFECT sense when you have any animal trying to deal with his own young life and hormones.  The last thing you want is him “hopped up” for any reason.  It’s a little bit like “stage fright” or what you could call “performance anxiety”–a little bit of it might enhance your performance, but a lot of it could blow you to hell. 

      I also agree with the TCI gentlemen–how stupid to have caused all this ruckus, including the Blue Girl Group, and then they lose the race.  Instead, the appropriate thing might be something like a post-win Open House at the Kentucky Horse Park, and anyone, including horse Hansen, can dress however he/she wants.  I agree with another blogger that weaving blue-and-gold extensions into Hansen’s mane and tail for such an event is beautiful.  He’s a fantastic horse, and I love all the blue-and-gold:  they’re also mine and my spouse’s college colors.  But IMHO, the spectacle on race day was a bad idea–and why would the owner want to be nose-to-nose with his trainer right before major stakes?  DUH… 

  • Rachel

    I read that while the horse would not be scratched, Hansen and Maker would face fines, etc. That is a lot different than “allowed”…
     
    You can say what you want, but a colt especially picks up the vibes around him…a lot of self serving, ego tripping, I’ll get my way one way or the other going on that afternoon…I would think the Dr. would want a calm, routine race day atmosphere for his really good colt. I’ve only owned 4 stallions, but they seem to especially appreciate consistent routine and expectations.

  • Skwnam

    You can’t alter the appearance of a horse!  What next:  putting a  star on his forehead for the 4th of July?  Can’t do it!

  • Skwnam

    You can’t alter the appearance of a horse!  What next:  putting a  star on his forehead for the 4th of July?  Can’t do it!

  • JC

    “I’ve only owned 4 stallions, but they seem to especially appreciate consistent routine and expectations”.

    I’m a medical person(true; humans, not horses) but in essence one is also trained(on that score) as something of a biologist.   What Rachel says here makes PERFECT sense when you have any animal trying to deal with his own young life and hormones.  The last thing you want is him “hopped up” for any reason.  It’s a little bit like “stage fright” or what you could call “performance anxiety”–a little bit of it might enhance your performance, but a lot of it could blow you to hell. 

    I also agree with the TCI gentlemen–how stupid to have caused all this ruckus, including the Blue Girl Group, and then they lose the race.  Instead, the appropriate thing might be something like a post-win Open House at the Kentucky Horse Park, and anyone, including horse Hansen, can dress however he/she wants.  I agree with another blogger that weaving blue-and-gold extensions into Hansen’s mane and tail for such an event is beautiful.  He’s a fantastic horse, and I love all the blue-and-gold:  they’re also mine and my spouse’s college colors.  But IMHO, the spectacle on race day was a bad idea–and why would the owner want to be nose-to-nose with his trainer right before major stakes?  DUH… 

  • Barbara

    Dr. Hansen can’t just appreciate the horse as he is? Instead he puts him at a disadvantage with his side show circus and trashy promotions that will also turn off far more fans than it will attract to the game? And completely overshadow his beautiful once in a lifetime horse.

    • stillriledup

      Seems like a bunch of ego getting in the way. If Hansen the horse can’t hold on in the Bluegrass when they basically let him have his way, how is he going to hold on at a longer distance with much more pace pressure? Hansen seems like a nice horse on his way to being beaten double digits after he gets cooked on the lead in his next start at CD.

  • Barbara

    Dr. Hansen can’t just appreciate the horse as he is? Instead he puts him at a disadvantage with his side show circus and trashy promotions that will also turn off far more fans than it will attract to the game? And completely overshadow his beautiful once in a lifetime horse.

  • stillriledup

    Seems like a bunch of ego getting in the way. If Hansen the horse can’t hold on in the Bluegrass when they basically let him have his way, how is he going to hold on at a longer distance with much more pace pressure? Hansen seems like a nice horse on his way to being beaten double digits after he gets cooked on the lead in his next start at CD.

  • McGov

    Mr. Maker must be embarrassed by all of this silliness.  Trying to get a horse ready to run in the Derby and you’ve got this ridiculous side show to deal with.  I’m amazed at the tolerance a trainer must have in 2012 on the big stage with an eccentric owner.  Just another tool in the toolbox Mr. Maker…deep breaths.

  • McGov

    Mr. Maker must be embarrassed by all of this silliness.  Trying to get a horse ready to run in the Derby and you’ve got this ridiculous side show to deal with.  I’m amazed at the tolerance a trainer must have in 2012 on the big stage with an eccentric owner.  Just another tool in the toolbox Mr. Maker…deep breaths.

  • Tim G.

    Hansen gets all the tail he wants in Moscow. He was just trying to honor the Cats and their NCAA Win.

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