Japanese training methods and philosophy

[Twingirl]

Is anyone else INTRIGUED?

While raising eyebrows of american onlookers during workouts, Tada seemed completely perplexed. "It's not about speed, its about building durability" or something like that he said.

The horses apparently do what we would call POWER WALKING, briskly and many times a day. And in training, this includes walking up inclines of mulch or something. Then the horse trots around on the track ----relaxedly. Enjoyable.


NO MEDICATIONS. (they seem to believe that you don't give medicine to an animal if they're not sick)

Respect for the horses, the other contenders, the other connections. What? Huh? No "speed kills" philosophy, no bragging, no dope.

Doesn't believe in changing a horse's routine, so they keep on doing here like they did back home. It's really raising eyebrows at the barns.

I wonder what their breakdown records are like?

Interesting article:
http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/article/45522.htm

Thoughts?

[Equipoise28]

If the "racing gods" have any sense of justice, Casino Drive will win the Belmont.

[Strategic Maneuver]

I find it interesting also as I have great respect for Japanese horsemen and instead of raising eyebrows, people ought to be making mental notes to self to maybe try some of their methods. Thinking Casino Drive will raise plenty of eyebrows when he runs on Saturday.

[larrygene]

I understand the Japanese maybe have a different training regimen than we Yanks but I don't see BB being put through any tough speed drills. In fact I haven't read where any Belmont entrant has been speed drilled excessively. I don't think a mile and a half needs that much sprint speed versus a good bottom of stamina. I agree the game needs some changes but I don't agree that all trainers or their methods need to be thrown in one big pile. JMO

[louis finochio]

I have talked to many of my friends that have worked in Japan with their Tb. They were shocked of the training methods of those Japanese horseman. Maybe they have changed their ways in the present.

[docjocoy]

I have talked to many of my friends that have worked in Japan with their Tb. They were shocked of the training methods of those Japanese horseman. Maybe they have changed their ways in the present.

Louis, do you mean "shocked" in that they were amazed that the training methods worked well, or "shocked" that they were different from what they were used to and didn't like them. Or "shocked " that no meds were being used and they still had horses running around the track.

[madelyn]

If the "racing gods" have any sense of justice, Casino Drive will win the Belmont.

I agree. It is ironic that the American owned contender it the one I am rooting AGAINST, and FOR the foreign-owned invader. I just don't like Big Brown's pedigree or his connections. Not one tiny little bit. Not he, nor his motley bunch of mobsters "deserve" America's biggest racing honor.

It's like Hilary Clinton. I don't actually care WHO wins as long as it is NOT her.

[pokeyman]

I agree that I am rooting for Casino Drive.

However, why the hell does nobody sit up and take notice when horses come over here that have been running clean and winning and suddenly go on meds for a big race??

Why hasn't anyone questioned it??

As an example, lasix is a performance enhancer and also masks drugs. So, a horse comes over from Europe who is winning multiple races clean. Why put him on lasix for the breeders cup? How can that horse be a bleeder if he has been running clean? He can't. It BS.

Did you all read that article on steriods/etc that Dickinson was quoted in? I think he hit the nail on the head when he said trainers do it because they feel they cannot compete without doing what everyone else does. Where does it stop?

Nobody knows just how much of an advantage a horse has who is running on steroids or bute or lasix. Nobody knows. However, whether it is a true advantage or not, it is perceived as such.

Again, when will this madness stop. If you had a horse running in a million dollar race would you want to risk running him clean knowing the other horses might have an advantage?

We need to ban meds....period. Like a poster said above, would be interesting to get the Japanese breakdown stats.

Yeah, the times might be slower but I'll take slow times for sound and clean horses.

[Tiz]

The first thing I thought of after reading about the 45 minute, pre gallop, walk about, with riders up, is how expensive it would be. In fact, at my local track I can't imagine anyone doing it for you, regardless of pay. But then my local track has one of the most common rider's colonies imaginable, so that certainly factors into my opinion.

I like seeing horsemanship practiced, in all forms and nationalities. It's interesting, and most of the time, you can put something you see to use.

I'm rooting for Big Brown. He's all personality, and ability. If he wins it, he deserves it.

I'm with all of you that want to get rid of drugs, except for bute. No more more cortisoned joints, too.

[larrygene]

If you did away with drugs you wouldn't have enough horses to fill all the races. A track can't survive running 5 or 6 races a day. I'm guessing most of you that are against drugs don't own racehorses. If you outlaw bute, lasix, etc you won't be able to get most horses to the starting gate. Majority of the races on a card are claiming races. Meaning horses that run with a price on their heads. They are either naturally slow or they are to the age they have problems, whatever they are. Its the fact of the game. I love to play tennis but now I'm at the age where it helps me to take some type of anti-inflammatory to play my best and be able to get out of bed the next day. I think there is good enough testing out there that illegal drug use has come down tremendously. Drug free racing sounds quite noble but in reality it will never happen. Too many tracks and not enough horses to fill the races . JMO

[Tiz]

Larry, why wouldn't there be enough horses?

[spex4me]

If you did away with drugs you wouldn't have enough horses to fill all the races. A track can't survive running 5 or 6 races a day. I'm guessing most of you that are against drugs don't own racehorses. If you outlaw bute, lasix, etc you won't be able to get most horses to the starting gate. Majority of the races on a card are claiming races. Meaning horses that run with a price on their heads. They are either naturally slow or they are to the age they have problems, whatever they are. Its the fact of the game. I love to play tennis but now I'm at the age where it helps me to take some type of anti-inflammatory to play my best and be able to get out of bed the next day. I think there is good enough testing out there that illegal drug use has come down tremendously. Drug free racing sounds quite noble but in reality it will never happen. Too many tracks and not enough horses to fill the races . JMO

Not trying to be argumentative in any way, but not being able to fill races?? Then what in god's name is running all around world in those races???? Goats , chickens, camels....... do I need to go back to the optometrist??? Drug free racing is more than a noble thought, it just has an uphill battle against "the American Norm".

[Equipoise28]

If you did away with drugs you wouldn't have enough horses to fill all the races. A track can't survive running 5 or 6 races a day. I'm guessing most of you that are against drugs don't own racehorses. If you outlaw bute, lasix, etc you won't be able to get most horses to the starting gate. Majority of the races on a card are claiming races. Meaning horses that run with a price on their heads. They are either naturally slow or they are to the age they have problems, whatever they are. Its the fact of the game. I love to play tennis but now I'm at the age where it helps me to take some type of anti-inflammatory to play my best and be able to get out of bed the next day. I think there is good enough testing out there that illegal drug use has come down tremendously. Drug free racing sounds quite noble but in reality it will never happen. Too many tracks and not enough horses to fill the races . JMO

Not arguing with you, because you are speaking from experience. But somehow Japan, Hong Kong, etc seem to be able to card races without resorting to meds. The transition to that here would be pretty ugly in the short term, without question.

[Carlo Algatrensig]

If you did away with drugs you wouldn't have enough horses to fill all the races. A track can't survive running 5 or 6 races a day. I'm guessing most of you that are against drugs don't own racehorses. If you outlaw bute, lasix, etc you won't be able to get most horses to the starting gate. Majority of the races on a card are claiming races. Meaning horses that run with a price on their heads. They are either naturally slow or they are to the age they have problems, whatever they are. Its the fact of the game. I love to play tennis but now I'm at the age where it helps me to take some type of anti-inflammatory to play my best and be able to get out of bed the next day. I think there is good enough testing out there that illegal drug use has come down tremendously. Drug free racing sounds quite noble but in reality it will never happen. Too many tracks and not enough horses to fill the races . JMO

Before i write this I'd best clarify the fact that I'm from england and so know nothing about the day to day racing scene in the US.

I can sort of understand why the smaller tracks may need horses that are given drugs like bute or lasix to fill their cards that are mostly claimers or races with very low prize money.

What I don't understand is the need for the type horses that will be running in Graded races to be given "medication" when there is no medical need for it. Maybe a first step would be to make all graded races drug free.

Sorry this is just an idea from a not very well informed Limey so I'm probably miles off.

[Tucumcari]

I have to say though I am not a huge fan of Dutrow's behaviour throughout this campaign, I watched the two horses train on TVG this morning and Casino Drive won't warm BB up. Not only do I dislike Casino's movement but he's too skinny for my taste. Big Brown was hitting on all four and looks physically (minus the feet) like all he's being said to be.
AND I am for lasix and bute and other therapeutic meds. I could take or leave steroids. If it's a level playing field and no one uses them then I am happy to comply like anyone else.