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  #1  
Old 11-07-2009, 08:55 PM
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phystech phystech is offline
Narragansett Park
 
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Posts: 556
Default Quality Road

I have the utmost respect for gate crews - it's a tough, tough job.

But what I think I saw today - and please note, I said "I think I saw" - was about the most awful job of loading a problem horse I have ever seen.

It quickly became clear Quality Road didn't want to be touched, or whipped, or even whip cracked on or near his hind end. He seemed to start bucking as soon as the first touch on his ass occurred.

I thought they had the situation under control when the backed him out and blindfolded him. It seemed he went straight back in with the blindfold and they closed the gate behind - and I figured he was in. But then it seemed the asst. starter cracked the whip at his feet twice after the door closed behind him and that's when he went off.

Assuming the asst. starter cracked the whip after the door was closed, why in the world did would he do that when the horse was in the gate and the door was closed?

Had to be one of the scarier things I've seen. And if my sequence of events is accurate, it had to be one of the most pathetic performances by an asst I've EVER seen.
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  #2  
Old 11-07-2009, 09:04 PM
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Sightseek Sightseek is offline
Flemington
 
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It's a scary, scary thing when a horse flips out like that. Pletcher is going to have his hands full trying to build Quality Road's trust again.
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  #3  
Old 11-07-2009, 09:06 PM
boswd boswd is offline
Lincoln Fields
 
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I agree there was at least one other horse after him they could have loaded and walk him around and see if he would settle him down, they became so focused on the order of loading they lost sight.

But as you said that is a tough job and who am I just a guy on the coach watching. but it did seem they could have allowed some time for him though
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  #4  
Old 11-07-2009, 09:09 PM
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Bigsmc Bigsmc is offline
Goodwood
 
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I don't think they ever closed the back doors. He started kicking out those hind legs before they could close them.
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  #5  
Old 11-07-2009, 09:17 PM
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Left Bank Left Bank is offline
Fairgrounds
 
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Location: Southern Canada
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They should have immediately took the blindfold OFF as soon as he was in.They left it on,and brought him out the front after the fiasco,and the blindfold was still on him and he was still freakin' out.He did not relax until finally someone reached up and pulled it off.Yes,it was a poor job by the starters.
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  #6  
Old 11-07-2009, 09:31 PM
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DerbyCat DerbyCat is offline
Churchill Downs
 
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Location: San Carlos, CA
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What about the guy on the crew that grabbed the reins as QR took off out the front of the gate with the blindfold still on! If he doesn't grab the reins and QR bolts, I can't even imagine what a scared blindfolded horse does with a crowd like that in the stands - could have been very ugly.
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  #7  
Old 11-07-2009, 09:54 PM
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DaTruth DaTruth is offline
Churchill Downs
 
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Location: Louisiana
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I say we go back to walkup starts.
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  #8  
Old 11-08-2009, 12:03 PM
NoLuvForPletch NoLuvForPletch is offline
Hollywood Park
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DerbyCat
What about the guy on the crew that grabbed the reins as QR took off out the front of the gate with the blindfold still on! If he doesn't grab the reins and QR bolts, I can't even imagine what a scared blindfolded horse does with a crowd like that in the stands - could have been very ugly.
i agree, this guy deserves a medal or a raise...
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  #9  
Old 11-09-2009, 12:07 PM
chucklestheclown chucklestheclown is offline
Fairgrounds
 
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Turn on HRTV now if you can.
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  #10  
Old 11-09-2009, 12:14 PM
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TouchOfGrey TouchOfGrey is offline
Hollywood Park
 
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Location: Floral Park, NY
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chucklestheclown
Turn on HRTV now if you can.
I can't, I'm at work. What's happening?
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  #11  
Old 11-10-2009, 01:56 AM
chucklestheclown chucklestheclown is offline
Fairgrounds
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey
I can't, I'm at work. What's happening?
It was an old show on life from the starting gate, I guess they pulled it to show to be smart and will be showing it all week.
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