How old is too old?

[my miss storm cat]

I love the old guys the best, but this? I find this disturbing..... a tragedy waiting to happen.....

What do you all think?

From DRF...


17-year-old entered in race
By MARTY McGEE

A racing rarity is scheduled to occur Wednesday at Ellis Park when Alpena Magic, a 17-year-old, runs in the third race.

Officials at Ellis said Monday that stewards have tentatively cleared Alpena Magic to race. Dan Bork, racing secretary at the Henderson, Ky., track, said he has discussed the unusual situation with steward Ron Herbstreit, who said the gelding still must pass muster, including a standard prerace veterinary examination, before starting in the 5 1/2-furlong race, which is for $4,000 conditioned-claiming horses.

"Obviously it caught our eye when we took the entry, but according to the reports we've gotten, the horse has been looking good on the racetrack and is sound," said Bork. Alpena Magic has had five recorded workouts at Ellis since late April.

Bork said he and Herbstreit were unaware of an age limit on horses to race in Kentucky. Generally, horses older than 15 are barred in many racing jurisdictions in North America.

Alpena Magic, by L'Enjoleur, was bred in Alabama by his owner, Kenneth J. Robinette. William R. Hicks is the trainer of Alpena Magic, who has not raced since finishing ninth and last at 98-1 in a bottom-level claiming sprint at Hoosier Park in Indiana on Nov. 19, 2005. Overall, Alpena Magic has won 16 of 154 starts, earning just over $200,000.

[The Bid]

Gonna go out on a limb here and say thats a little too old

[paisjpq]

Wow, my horse is 17...and while he is still a handful to ride he certainly isn't a racehorse anymore...why would he do this after 2 years off?...esp when the horse was running last?....nevermind, I don't require an answer.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

why would he do this after 2 years off?...esp when the horse was running last?.....

Perhaps he's striving to train one that makes it into the Angels thread?

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Perhaps he's striving to train one that makes it into the Angels thread?

OOOO

That's my home track. Yay Ellis!! Wish I could make it to the races Wednesday. That would be a treat.

[ArlJim78]

good lord! he raced 154 times and is now coming back at 17 after two years off? In this case I truly mean it when I say, he's done enough.

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

good lord! he raced 154 times and is now coming back at 17 after two years off? In this case I truly mean it when I say, he's done enough.

I agree. Let this poor animal retire.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

good lord! he raced 154 times and is now coming back at 17 after two years off? In this case I truly mean it when I say, he's done enough.

Jim, at 15, with that kind of tire wear, you need a two year freshening

Seriously though, they shouldnt be putting this horse out to run.

[Mortimer]

Anny?

[FGFan]

I don't know what to think about this, I guess if the horse wants to race but geesh 17. Hope he comes out OK.
Can someone link the video of the race, Ellis has no live stream and I cannot get HRTV, dang Directv.