Let's Talk | Horse Racing Free Tips

The TDN's 'Let's Talk'–a podcast series featuring TDN's Christina Bossinakis and TVG's on-air analyst Gabby Gaudet, offers candid discussion on personal, and sometimes sensitive, topics that are often uncomfortable for many to speak about in an open forum.

The latest edition presents a trio of successful trainers–New York's David Donk, Ron Moquett, who is principally based at Oaklawn Park and Churchill Downs and Kentucky horseman Brad Cox, who was honored with his second Eclipse Award as the nation's leading trainer at the awards ceremony held at Santa Anita Park Thursday.

It can be argued that trainers are the lightning rods of the racing industry. All too often they find themselves at the epicenter of a media storm, be it for a tremendous run of success or conversely, for a misstep. However, whether it is drawing accolades or condemnation, trainers all too often are the figures that attract the collective eye of the industry, sometimes to the detriment of the overall health of the sport.

“I think there's a lot of negativity around the game and if we want to draw new people in, we should probably try to kill it with the negativity, if we could, and promote the game,” said Cox.

Not helping the issue, the federal indictments handed down to an uncomfortably long list of trainers and veterinarians for the sale and use of performance-enhancing drugs also made the topic of doping a hot-button issue. And all levels of horsemen and women have felt the ripple effect stemming from those censures.

“They've painted this picture that everyone out there is trying to cheat and I just don't believe that,” added Cox. “I know what goes on in our barn. I think most barns are clean. I mean there are cameras in barns. There weren't cameras in barns 20, 25, 30 years ago.”

Also lighting up the headlines recently, a number of trainers continue to face the harsh reality of owners failing or delaying payment of their bills, resulting in a trickle-down effect that seeps into many other areas of the industry. While stable size and quality of stock may vary greatly between operations, the great equalizer for all is the necessity for trainers to ensure they receive proper compensation for their services.

“I'm in New York, I don't have the best horses. I have a lot of New York-breds, a lot of small-time owners. I don't have anyone that goes to the sales and spends a lot of money. But when I get someone new, I just tell them, I'm adamant about one thing…that I get paid on time,” explained Donk.

In truth, contemporary trainers have to wear many hats to succeed in the current century, having to master a variety of areas, including horsemanship, business and client relations. However, despite the individual size and scope of each barn, trainers typically face many of the same stark realities as their peers, which is ultimately the great unifier in the profession.

“I claimed a horse off Brad last week, but I cheered for him like crazy in the Pegasus [World Cup with Knicks Go],” admitted Moquett. “We're competing but I know what he goes through so I'm on his side, regardless. You're going to have an opportunity to be around people that are going through the same exact thing as you are. Good times makes acquaintances. Going through the same hard times makes friends. We've all been fired. we've all been taken advantage of. We've all been disrespected. We have that in common. The competitive, freaky side of us can always be put off for a little bit of time to appreciate that we all went through this together.”

To watch the complete podcast, click here and for the audio only version of 'Let's Talk,' click here.

The post TDN’s ‘Let’s Talk’ Tackles the Challenges Facing Trainers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The TDN's 'Let's Talk'–a podcast series featuring TDN's Christina Bossinakis and TVG's on-air analyst Gabby Gaudet, offers candid discussion on personal, and sometimes difficult, topics that are often uncomfortable for many to speak about in an open forum.

The latest edition presents a trio of successful jockeys–Journeyman John Velazquez and retired Ramon Dominguez–both in the Hall of Fame–in addition to retired rider Richie Migliore, currently serving as a NYRA and FOX Sports on-air analyst.

Few will dispute the fact that jockeys are the iron warriors of horse racing. Physical danger is a very real part of the every day existence of a rider, as is the continual adversity they are forced to endure and adapt (and react) to.

“You really don't know what is going to happen,” admitted Dominguez. “It's different, perhaps for a jockey or it is magnified compared to other athletes, mostly because the athletes prepare and train for a specific game or perhaps for a season. Jockeys have a never-ending season–year-round racing. Even if you have a great business, doing well and had an amazing day, you have to turn the page. Because tomorrow, you can fall into a slump and things change. That [concern] is always in the back of your mind.”

Having faced more than his share of adversity, Migliore retired from the saddle in 2010, and Dominguez followed suit three years later after also facing a career-ending injury. Velazquez, who continues to compete at the highest level at age 51, also faced serious injury at several junctures in his career, however found himself among those fortunate to return to the saddle, time and again.

“For every jockey, for every athlete, there's a last ride, there's a last at bat, there's a last play,” said Migliore. “And if you're fortunate, you get to choose when that last ride is like Chris McCarron, Jerry Bailey and Pat Day. They accomplished amazing things and they made a decision that it was time to step away. The vast majority of riders don't get that opportunity. So, I tell young riders there will be a last ride and, hopefully, you get to choose last. But that's why you owe it to yourself to make the most out of the time you are able to ride.”

While the physical stress and adversity that riders face are well documented, the emotional difficulties that jockeys often face can be as prevalent, although not as easily observed by the masses.

“Unlike Ramon who was in the midst of his prime, I was in the back nine, the twilight of my career,” added Migliore. “Physically, I wasn't what I once was. Mentally, I could still see a race well, still had a great judge and feel of horses, but I certainly wasn't in what I would call my prime. Even though it was, admittedly, towards the end, I was 44 when the accident happened, and it still sent me into a deep, dark place. I went into a deep depression. Not originally when I first got out of the hospital, but when I was home. I didn't feel good, and I didn't care. I didn't care about horse racing or riding. Three or four months later when I started to feel better, and the reality was 'you're never going to do that again,' I really got depressed.”

It is widely understood that the challenges facing riders can be great, however, unity in racing can be equally strong, a bond reinforced by the necessity of taking care of one's own.

“It's funny because I always felt I had support,” said Velazquez. “And you always have the doubters, though. But I always focus on the people who want to give me the opportunity and forget about those, those people who doubted me from the get-go.”

And that support extends to the next generation of riders, which Velazquez admits is an important factor in keeping the playing field safe and equitable for the entire jockey colony.

“The more you teach those kids, the safer it is for you to ride,” he said. “You want to ride with the more knowledgeable rider rather than the kids that are more reckless. The ones who don't want to listen or to learn are the ones that make it scary to ride with. They want to learn the hard way. So, you have to show them the right way.”

To listen to the audio only version of 'Let's Talk,' click here. For the video version, click here.

The post ‘Let’s Talk’ Delves Into Jockeys’ Mental Health appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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