A millionaire on the racetrack, but even more popular as trainer Steve Hobby’s longtime stable pony, Chindi was euthanized Feb. 2. The snow-white gelding was 29. Hobby said Chindi’s physical condition had deteriorated for several weeks, adding he believes it was because of a neurological disorder triggered by his advanced age, rare to reach for a Thoroughbred racehorse.
The majority of healthy horses can maintain their body temperature on their own in most weather conditions, including in colder weather. A horse will shiver and his hair will stand up in an effort to trap warm air close to the skin; he will also turn his hind end to the wind to buffer some of the cold. Offering a horse a continuous supply of hay will also help him generate enough heat to maintain body temperature.
Nonetheless, many horse owners opt to blanket their horses. Dr. Michelle DeBoer and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin created an online survey to better understand what factors horse owners considered when deciding whether or not to blanket, and where they were located in the United States.
Nearly 1,450 people completed the survey, with just over half opting to blanket their horses. Interestingly, the proportion of owners who blanketed were the same regardless of the geographic distribution. The scientists found that blanket use depended more on discipline, housing, and management, rather than location.
Horse owners who rode English tended to blanket their horses the most. Professionals (63 percent), owners of less than six horses, and those who have been in the equine industry for less than 15 years also blanketed their horses more than other owners.
Freezing was the most common temperature when owners blanketed, but the majority of owners (85 percent) chose to blanket when there was rain, sleet or snow in addition to wind (58 percent).
The team concluded that there is some consensus among horse owners on some blanketing topics, but that the management practice as a whole is less clear cut. They also noted that there was a comparable number of equine owners who chose not to blanket as those who opted to blanket.
Read more at Equine Science Update.
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Leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. equaled the record for most wins by a jockey on a card at Gulfstream Park Friday after riding the winners of seven consecutive races on a nine-race program.
Ortiz shares the Gulfstream record with four other jockeys: Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey (3/11/96), Tyler Gaffalione (7/4/17), Luis Saez (1/24/18; 3/29/18) and Paco Lopez (3/21/20).
Ortiz became the only jockey in Gulfstream history to win seven races in a row.
“It feels great. Everything worked out so good today. Everything came out perfect out there. It was one of those days where everything goes your way, so you enjoy it,” Ortiz said. “We had some live horses, and we always try to look on the positive side with them and ride them all with confidence. But every day doesn't work like today. It's hard, but today was one of those days.”
The 30-year-old jockey, who was recently awarded the Eclipse Award for the 2022 racing season, swept Races 2-8 on the nine-race card.
“It's my first time winning seven races in one day,” Ortiz said. “So, I feel great.”
The three-time Championship Meet titlist at Gulfstream guided Dignified ($7.20) to victory in Race 2 to start his streak before also scoring aboard Little Jewel ($4.20), Lakota Territory ($5.60), Riveting Spirit ($7), Tape to Tape ($4.20), Rhymes Like Dimes ($4.40) and Six Minus ($7.40) in Races 3-8, respectively.
Ortiz, who finished fifth aboard favored Maclin in Race 1, finished seventh aboard Turn On the Charm in Race 9.
Ortiz leads the Championship Meet standings with 44 winners, 10 more than defending champion Luis Saez.
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