------and down the stretch they come at the BELMONT

The Ancient Mariner --- it's not that expensive if you have your own land --- we live in a rural area on 5 acres.  Once the horse's racing career is over it's easy to get one for free if it's not suitable breeding stock.

Baah Ben yah he did launch him early in the stretch but the horse was giving him trouble and was more jumpy and nervous in the paddock and in the parade.

Andrea

Isn't it ironic that going into the race old Calvin was a big hero----the talk of the town, and then suddenly he was the villian.  If it had not been for Calvin's ride in the derby MTB would have been an also-ran. 

Andrea you gotta love horses and riding, they require a lot of work and attention.  I have worked with "horse people" all my life and know you have to be very dedicated.  That is unless you have a lot of help and can just show up in the winner's circle to have your picture taken.   Say cheese !!!!!!!!

Yah, The Ancient Mariner, the jockey's not a villian, but you know how the press is.  With those horses, you never know what mood they'll be in --- he had to deal with what he was dealt.  I thought with this race he might have been at a disadvantage to begin with because that's a small horse with a smaller stride than the big boys and it's a longer race. 

Many of the T-Breds end up at the slaughterhouse when their racing days are over.  Remember Derby winner Ferdinand?  That's what happened to him over in Japan when he didn't prove himself as a good sire. 

When they quit making money, they're nothing but a drain on the owners.  There are some moral owners who try to find them good homes (which is how I got my two boys), but the problem is there are  too many horses and not enough people who can keep them. 

The racing industry can be very cruel.

Andrea