Rock Hard Ten Scratched

[StrawberryFelidos]

Well, I guess it was destined to happen- Rocky is out of the Classic with a bloody foot and a bruise Damn, I was really looking forward to him, too, he was my "big horse" to cheer for.
Then again, have to recognise that it probably wouldn't have been a good performance if they'd run him on a bad foot. I'd rather see them scratch him wisely than to see them overly ambitious and running him sore.
Bleh. Interestingly enough, there was an article just a little bit below that one that announced, "Rock Hard Ten is 100%" Well, then- shows us what we aren't always told, doesn't it? (Yeah, a horse is 100%, except for that bruise, leg gash, achey knee, sore back, ringworm...)

[Heidilady]

Though I guess it's possible that the "100%" bit was fudging the bruised foot a little bit out of hopefulness I think they'd done that interview before he came back having shed his frog so I chalk it up to irony, not deceit.

I hate to ask a dumb question, not being a vet or horse-foot expert or anything, but how often does this sort of shedding thing happen to horses? Another dumb question...this couldn't be an early sign of laminitis or is that a different animal as it were? Like I said, not a big equine anatomy junkie.

Poor Rock Hard Ten...he always looks amazing and never can seem to catch a break to be at the big dances.

[ZiaLand]

Oh man! What a disappointment.

Laurie

[austique]

The shedding is normal and occurs about twice a year from the articles I read. I haven't read the article yet, but I'm assuming he shed his frog. Actually horses with laminitis fail to shed the frog and sole normally. The sole sheds sort of like a human's skin being that's its not noticeable. All in all it is a total bummer for Rock Hard Ten.

[Nerd]

for what it's worth, his original bruise was on the left fore. This new one is on the right.

[Ill-bred]

He's too big!

I'm guessing they'll try to run him one more time and then.... next stop Central Kentucky.

[Sam]

He's too big!

blink

double blink

... nah... I'll save that comment for the OTHER board, me boyo. I know I won't get thumped there

BTW, HAPPY NOW?! 2 minutes after your blasted Sox win, I get emails lamenting the Cubbies. You Chi people are fickle.

I'm guessing they'll try to run him one more time and then.... next stop Central Kentucky.

I don't think so. Yeah, he could probably get a healthy stud fee right now (say, $35k or so) but he's STILL a Kris S, and one carrying Mr. P fairly close. I think they are going to want to pin one more BIG G1 on him before they talk retirement. Unless they REALLY have to retire him (injury), they'll run him next year. He's got every right to be even better at 5.

IF he runs again this year, look for him in the Clark at Churchill, otherwise, I would expect them to sit on him and wait for the Donn, then a repeat in the Santa Anita Handicap or an attempt at Dubai.

Personally, I'd love to see him attempt 10f+ on the grass at some point. The up-coming Red Smith would be a good spot to try that.

This scratch means he's lost any chance at a championship for this year (another reason they will run him next year ... He needs more to get any kind of REAL stud fee ... being a Kris S. WILL hurt him in the short term because there are so few of them that are proving to be useful sires). Saint Liam wins tomorrow, he's the Older Horse and HOY. If Borrego wins, he MIGHT get Older Horse and Alex will win 3yo and HOY.

[louis finochio]

I always look forward to see how those Euro TB will do against our TB in the BC.

After the BC is run we can then draw lines to see which side of the pond has the best of class TB.

This is what the BC is all about, as this wouldnt have happened if John Gaines the creator of the BC didnt pull this off. Good Luck to all and lets get it on.

[Ill-bred]

Sam-

I was looking forward to betting against RHT. IMHO, he was gonna be 2-1 or 3-1, and off the board, and that built a whole lot of value into the Classic. I am a big fan of the horse, always have been, but I didn't like his chances in there.

re: The Sox

I still get teary-eyed when I think about it. Tonight I get to watch the parade!

Louis-

The showdown of top horses from across the world is one of the greatest things about the BC. (Although to be fair to the Euros, the home court advanatge is severely in our favor.)

I was re-watching Tiznow's two Classic wins, what fantastic stretch battles!

NTRA.com has links to the stretch drives of all the BC races. Click on Breeders Cup and then choose Time Capsule.

[Mahubah]

Of course, when it's in NY, it's a 3000-mile haul for the Cal-based horses, not much less than for the Euros. But at least they don't have to go through quarantine, and a lot of them have raced in NY before.

[Ill-bred]

Along those lines, very nice performance by the Cal-based two-year-olds Stevie Wonderboy and Wild Fit!

[austique]

According to ESPN.com, Rock Hard Ten had a nuclear scan this week which showed some irregularities and will undergo a arthroscopic procedure to see the extent of the problem. The scan was done to make sure there wouldn't be any surprises during his 5yo season as they didn't want to miss an entire breeding season. If the problem, is deemed serious enough he will be retired.

[louis finochio]

I just heard that when the nuke scan was read they found another problem on top of his 1st problem. Another nuke scan will be done later this week and that will determine if RHT will be a stallion in 06.

[austique]

Correct Louis. The article said the horse has an old calcified chip in I think his right front ankle that is no problem, but the new issue is in the same area.

[StrawberryFelidos]

Hmm, my crystal ball says that it wouldn't take much of an injury to deem him "retireable". The fact that they're doing this much scanning and even exploratory surgery tells me that they already have an answer, now they want the proof to back it.
Which is very sad to me, since I was looking forward to seeing him again. This horse was so close to being in the big time, all he needed was to stay healthy enough to run in a few more big races and I don't think Saint Liam would be in the position that he is today Unfortunately, he missed a lot of races when it counted, and it's too late now.