IMO Molina was dead wrong. I totally understand his frustration. A horse I trained that I thought was set to run a big one didn't run a step. I was so mad I could hardly look at him cooling him out. But I didn't abuse him. He did what he could under the circumstances. Hell it was probably my bad training anyway.
Somebody in this thread mentioned respect for the horse and I think if you're going to do any good in this game it's a must. The late rider Chris Hummel rode for me on several occasions. I remember one day he dropped by my barn looking for business. He looked in a stall and saw a new horse and turned to me and said "just what I need new meat" That comment ended our business relationship and I never rode him again..
Molina kicks a horse
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster
TVG's Blinkers Off interviewed Molina Friday night and ran the actual tape of the full incident, so you can judge for yourself. It will repeat on Saturday morning.
The gate crew had eared down the filly and were pushing her in the gate. After she was in, the asst. starter screwed her tail around to the max to get her to stand still (at this point, any bettors had no shot). She reared up in the gate, and her front half is not visible. Molina says she hit his chest with her head and pinned him. The asst starter pulled him off of the filly, and then 2 guys started kicking her hind legs about six times to get her to reposition. Somebody started hitting her with the strap, then a few more kicks. Finally she's level and they backed her out. Molina tries to unsaddle her, and she sidles away to the other rail. She finally came to a stop and stood still. He unsaddled, and before turning away, as she was standing still, he swung his leg at her, straight-legged, no power on the kick. He hit her in the underbelly with the front curve of his ankle. He absolutely did not hurt her, but from a horseman's standpoint, it was idiotic and just for spite. She finally did what they all wanted -- stood still -- and THAT's when she got clobbered.
Molina was very contrite. He said that he never intended to hurt the horse, and knew that he couldn't. He feels bad that he hurt the image of racing, Philly Park, and the jockey profession. He works for retired horses to find them homes. He says he is not a monster.
He had his hearing today, no announcement on the punishment yet. He thinks that he should be punished. He was ejected from Philly Park, and he thinks that is too much. He had a chance to ride at Monmouth, but he stayed home to respect the stewards at Philly until his hearing. He has already stayed home 5 days. He thinks he should be fined and get the time served. For comparision, TVG noted that the English head-butt incident drew one day, no fine.
Molina says that the trainer and owner apologized to HIM, and said that they didn't do a good enough job getting her ready. The horse had been a problem just getting a gate card. People on the backside have supported him. He blames no one but himself. He accepts total responsibility.
IMHO-- it's time to forgive. I agree with all of the people who said that professional horsemen should be professional. I know I've snapped my cap at a horse before. I know I've never, ever hurt one whacking it with the end of the leadrope, but I'm usually ashamed of myself immediately and I'd hate to see it on tape. I'm much more proud of myself when I properly school them, and they stand quietly with respect. I'll bet Molina can be relied upon to never unfairly punish one again. I'm surprised that people didn't object to the gate crew. They certainly physically abused her a lot more than Molina did, even if it was for a good cause like getting her out of the gate. All in all, a black eye for racing.
"The famous Julie Krone brawl"-- (You dropped the L). When this little mite of a girl started racing, the male jocks tried to intimidate her during races by crowding her and putting her in a dangerous situation. One day after a race, she caught one of those guys on the way back to the jocks room, and the boy-girl fight was on. It was a big-time jock, too, just can't remember the name right now. That was about the last time they razzed her.
The gate crew had eared down the filly and were pushing her in the gate. After she was in, the asst. starter screwed her tail around to the max to get her to stand still (at this point, any bettors had no shot). She reared up in the gate, and her front half is not visible. Molina says she hit his chest with her head and pinned him. The asst starter pulled him off of the filly, and then 2 guys started kicking her hind legs about six times to get her to reposition. Somebody started hitting her with the strap, then a few more kicks. Finally she's level and they backed her out. Molina tries to unsaddle her, and she sidles away to the other rail. She finally came to a stop and stood still. He unsaddled, and before turning away, as she was standing still, he swung his leg at her, straight-legged, no power on the kick. He hit her in the underbelly with the front curve of his ankle. He absolutely did not hurt her, but from a horseman's standpoint, it was idiotic and just for spite. She finally did what they all wanted -- stood still -- and THAT's when she got clobbered.
Molina was very contrite. He said that he never intended to hurt the horse, and knew that he couldn't. He feels bad that he hurt the image of racing, Philly Park, and the jockey profession. He works for retired horses to find them homes. He says he is not a monster.
He had his hearing today, no announcement on the punishment yet. He thinks that he should be punished. He was ejected from Philly Park, and he thinks that is too much. He had a chance to ride at Monmouth, but he stayed home to respect the stewards at Philly until his hearing. He has already stayed home 5 days. He thinks he should be fined and get the time served. For comparision, TVG noted that the English head-butt incident drew one day, no fine.
Molina says that the trainer and owner apologized to HIM, and said that they didn't do a good enough job getting her ready. The horse had been a problem just getting a gate card. People on the backside have supported him. He blames no one but himself. He accepts total responsibility.
IMHO-- it's time to forgive. I agree with all of the people who said that professional horsemen should be professional. I know I've snapped my cap at a horse before. I know I've never, ever hurt one whacking it with the end of the leadrope, but I'm usually ashamed of myself immediately and I'd hate to see it on tape. I'm much more proud of myself when I properly school them, and they stand quietly with respect. I'll bet Molina can be relied upon to never unfairly punish one again. I'm surprised that people didn't object to the gate crew. They certainly physically abused her a lot more than Molina did, even if it was for a good cause like getting her out of the gate. All in all, a black eye for racing.
"The famous Julie Krone brawl"-- (You dropped the L). When this little mite of a girl started racing, the male jocks tried to intimidate her during races by crowding her and putting her in a dangerous situation. One day after a race, she caught one of those guys on the way back to the jocks room, and the boy-girl fight was on. It was a big-time jock, too, just can't remember the name right now. That was about the last time they razzed her.
Last edited by majxmom on Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
"When I am on my deathbed, I imagine I will say, 'Thank God I did that'" - Arthur Hancock, on buying back Gato del Sol from Europe after Exceller was killed in a slaughterhouse in Sweden.
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Rokeby Forever
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Majxmom - that fight was between Julie Krone and Chris Antley at the Meadowlands. They never determined which one was more coked up...and their feud carried over to when they both rode full time at Belmont Park.
What synthetics are to California racing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gb0mxcpPOU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gb0mxcpPOU
The Ant Man! Boy, it's been so long it still doesn't click in the memory that it was him, but I'll take your word for it. 'Course, there could have been more than one fight! 
Thanks, Rok! Between you and zinn talking about the Hummer (who used to ride Magic's deceased dam for me), this is memory lane.
Thanks, Rok! Between you and zinn talking about the Hummer (who used to ride Magic's deceased dam for me), this is memory lane."When I am on my deathbed, I imagine I will say, 'Thank God I did that'" - Arthur Hancock, on buying back Gato del Sol from Europe after Exceller was killed in a slaughterhouse in Sweden.
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Rokeby Forever
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Julie Krone clocked him good at The Meadowlands.
Antley had a habit of standing up before the wire when he knew he had a race won (like posing or "showboating" for the picture). One night, Julie Krone and he were head and head down the stretch...when Julie Krone's horse tired the final 100 yards, Antley did his pose and it got her angry - back in the rider room, she belted him. LOL!
Antley had a habit of standing up before the wire when he knew he had a race won (like posing or "showboating" for the picture). One night, Julie Krone and he were head and head down the stretch...when Julie Krone's horse tired the final 100 yards, Antley did his pose and it got her angry - back in the rider room, she belted him. LOL!
Last edited by Rokeby Forever on Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
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And....Philly Park is being really hypocritical with coming down on Victor Molina.
When Victor Carrero was riding in NY, a horse he was riding broke down and tossed him. Carrero got mad and threw dirt on the injured horse...and that was his ticket out of New York. Where did he go afterward? Philly Park!
When Victor Carrero was riding in NY, a horse he was riding broke down and tossed him. Carrero got mad and threw dirt on the injured horse...and that was his ticket out of New York. Where did he go afterward? Philly Park!
Boy, I sure remember that Carrera incident. Now THAT was something I thought a guy ought to be drummed out for. I thought his explanation afterward was complete bull. He couldn't even manufacture any sincerity.
Last edited by majxmom on Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
"When I am on my deathbed, I imagine I will say, 'Thank God I did that'" - Arthur Hancock, on buying back Gato del Sol from Europe after Exceller was killed in a slaughterhouse in Sweden.
He unsaddled, and before turning away, as she was standing still, he swung his leg at her, straight-legged, no power on the kick. He hit her in the underbelly with the front curve of his ankle.
OK---I've been trying not to ask this---but it may inject a little humor--HOW THE HELL does a little tiny jockey get his leg up high enough to kick a horse in the belly anyway??
All shouting does is make you lose your voice.
----Arrested Development
----Arrested Development
Well, if it hadn't been so shocking, it would have been comical, because it was pretty lame. He pulled the saddle off, started to turn away, and then the stupid kicked in, and he turned back. He faced the horse and kicked out with a straight leg, from the hip. It looked like a five year old kicking out petulantly. She sort of saw it coming at the last moment and skibbled away, and his leg went up under the flank, so he just bumped her from below with his fully extended leg. I guess the tip of his boot might have jabbed her further in, but it looked like he just bumped her with his shin and instep.
It was absolutely a "Take that!" moment, completely for spite. No way was that a misguided effort to correct the horse, and he hasn't claimed that it was anything like that. He has apologized (to the horse, the trainer, the owner, the fans, the track and fellow jockeys), repented (promised that he would never do anything like that again) and repaired (promised to be even more active in racehorse retirement), so it's time to forgive.
It was absolutely a "Take that!" moment, completely for spite. No way was that a misguided effort to correct the horse, and he hasn't claimed that it was anything like that. He has apologized (to the horse, the trainer, the owner, the fans, the track and fellow jockeys), repented (promised that he would never do anything like that again) and repaired (promised to be even more active in racehorse retirement), so it's time to forgive.
"When I am on my deathbed, I imagine I will say, 'Thank God I did that'" - Arthur Hancock, on buying back Gato del Sol from Europe after Exceller was killed in a slaughterhouse in Sweden.
I decided to send an email to Philly Park after I heard they were getting bombarded with emails from people all over the country. I said pretty much what I said above, except I didn't have to tell them the details that they already knew. I just stressed that if a guy sincerely apologizes, repents, and repairs, he needs to be forgiven --ONE TIME, of course! -- and let him go back to work.
I got a nice email back from the PR man. He said that they had received non-stop emails since a few minutes after it happened, and mine was the first email that gave any support whatsoever to Molina. People were just going ballistic. I find myself, a person who volunteers in horse rescue and who believes it's never the horse's fault, in the peculiar position of being the sole defender of a guy seen abusing a horse on national TV. I imagine it will take great courage for the stewards to tell the public that they think he's been punished enough. Boy, that's got to be a moment that he will regret for the rest of his life. He'll always be The Horse Kicker, even if he wins the Kentucky Derby.
I got a nice email back from the PR man. He said that they had received non-stop emails since a few minutes after it happened, and mine was the first email that gave any support whatsoever to Molina. People were just going ballistic. I find myself, a person who volunteers in horse rescue and who believes it's never the horse's fault, in the peculiar position of being the sole defender of a guy seen abusing a horse on national TV. I imagine it will take great courage for the stewards to tell the public that they think he's been punished enough. Boy, that's got to be a moment that he will regret for the rest of his life. He'll always be The Horse Kicker, even if he wins the Kentucky Derby.
Last edited by majxmom on Sun Jun 24, 2007 12:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"When I am on my deathbed, I imagine I will say, 'Thank God I did that'" - Arthur Hancock, on buying back Gato del Sol from Europe after Exceller was killed in a slaughterhouse in Sweden.
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