Sorry not a Kentucky Derby horse..Shakis

pokeyman · Postby **pokeyman** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 7:25 am

RIP Shakis....if you had won the Derby like Barbaro and later broke down I am sure you would have millions of concerned fans and a faster mention on the public forums.

I, for one, am sad when any horse must be put down- Kentucky Derby winner or not.

May you rest in peace.

Link:

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/48148.htm

*sorry..left over bitterness*

Jorge · Postby **Jorge** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:11 am

Thanks for your genuine thoughts on Shakis. Precisely he was on my mind, as well as the gray Canadian Triple Crown winner who was lost on his last start before going to stud, when I posted this thread:

//////// "The story of this courageous gray pony is worth its reading!

http://santafescoop.ning.com/profiles/b ... gPost:7783

pokeyman · Postby **pokeyman** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:51 am

What a great story and a very courageous little pony! Thank you, Jorge, for sharing such an uplifting story.

When faced with the tragedy of Shakis' death and the shortened life of all that have suddenly passed, it is nice to read such a "feel good" story.

steward · Postby **steward** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:16 am

Why is anyone "bitter" over other people's non-reaction to a dog-bites-man story? On an artificial surface to boot, to an animal in the best of care? What should I do if I read a story about a double auto fatality or mall shooting, then? Swallow a pistol?

I'm not a callous person, but a rational one who accepts death all around us as part of the game called "life". If you're in it, predictable things happen. Take it like an adult is my advice - otherwise life is a mess and completely unenjoyable. Pour yourself a cocktail.

Danzig · Postby **Danzig** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:53 pm

Bottoms UP!!!!!

aardvark · Postby **aardvark** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:19 pm

TB Racing is probably fortunate that not every fatality gets the national attention of eight belles or barbaro.

thinking that TBs are disposable products because they were well cared for until they broke down isn't beneficial for the sport either.

Does anyone know if all 38 states will be steroid free in 09?
What changes; rules, track, conditions, etc can be attributed to Eight Belles fatality? I am not sure breaking down with a national audience made any difference anyway.

Barbaro06 · Postby **Barbaro06** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:47 pm

steward wrote:Why is anyone "bitter" over other people's non-reaction to a dog-bites-man story? On an artificial surface to boot, to an animal in the best of care? What should I do if I read a story about a double auto fatality or mall shooting, then? Swallow a pistol?

I'm not a callous person, but a rational one who accepts death all around us as part of the game called "life". If you're in it, predictable things happen. Take it like an adult is my advice - otherwise life is a mess and completely unenjoyable. Pour yourself a cocktail.

Well I slept through gunshots down the road from where I live...guy took 8-9 shots in his chest and legs...

And I would argue life is unpredictable....

pokeyman · Postby **pokeyman** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 6:20 am

steward wrote:Why is anyone "bitter" over other people's non-reaction to a dog-bites-man story? On an artificial surface to boot, to an animal in the best of care? What should I do if I read a story about a double auto fatality or mall shooting, then? Swallow a pistol?

I'm not a callous person, but a rational one who accepts death all around us as part of the game called "life". If you're in it, predictable things happen. Take it like an adult is my advice - otherwise life is a mess and completely unenjoyable. Pour yourself a cocktail.

Actually, I was referring to the fact that everyone on God's green earth seemed to care about Barbaro when he broke down. I tried to tell the casual race fan that horses break down every day but it was all about Barbaro 24-7. To this day, I have never seen anything like it. The millions of posts, flowers sent, waiting at the clinic, etc. Plus, it wasn't just the casual race fan it was even people within the industry. We still have a blog following Barbaro's brother on a major Industry publication's website.

They all said that they would care if he broke down and wasn't a Derby horse but I knew better. None of them would bat an eye if one of my horses break down racing.

It was just so over the top hypocritical.

Granted, the Derby is probably the only race they watch but I remember horses breaking down in the Breeders Cup and they never got the same response. I don't remember people lining up and passing out bracelets when Charismatic broke down either.

So, my question to them was "Why is Barbaro's life more important than my horse or a claimer?" Every life should matter. Period.

However, thank you Steward for your rude and callous response and taking the time to spout of some hatred towards someone you never met.

steward · Postby **steward** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 4:27 pm

Look, it's OK to feel bad about a horse going down. But you went far beyond that to rag on other people because they didn't meet up to your standards of public mourning.

If someone sets a rude tone in the opening post, it's a little small to whine in a subsequent one when called out on it.