Did Everyone Just Now Notice?
(raymond)
I’ve noticed several comments, tweets and at least one post about Calvin’s use of the whip on Rachel. My only question is, what took you so long? Did people just now notice that American jocks whip horses too much?
Check out Calvin’s ride of Lady Joanne in the 2007 Alabama (not on YouTube, sorry!) or Mike Smith on Tiago in the Santa Anita Derby:
And these are just two that came to mind immediately. AND how about all those horses who aren’t Rachel Alexandra, Lady Joanne or Tiago?
If Rachel can get some meaningful discussion going about use of the whip it will be one more stellar accomplishment for her to add to her impressive resume. It’s easy to blame the jocks, lord knows I’ve done it, but the issue is bigger than that. We have vague rules that are hard to enforce which makes it that much harder for stewards to actually do something about it.
I’m a huge fan of whip reform. Sadly as regular fans and players we’re all used to it but commenter ljk summed it up nicely on a post last year when he said:
I’ll say it again: to newcomers our sport looks like people with sticks beating horses to make them run
Word.
Posted by dana on Sep 08 2009
Filed Under: Stewards, The Whip, 2009, Mike Smith, Rachel Alexandra, Twitter, Raymond Haddad, Internet, Grrrr, Fans, Tiago, Race Replay, YouTube, Calvin Borel, Racing
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I’d be happy if we adopted the English rules on whip use.
I don’t think adopting the European rules would do much more than cause a flurry of three-day suspensions every week.
Jockeys in the Americas have grown up using the whip liberally, I doubt that veterans like Borel or Smith could just alter their habits from one day to the other. I don’t even think they do it consciously.
Padding the whip, or the more visible alternative of banning them, is likely the better way to go.
Someone should set up a blog in support of whip-free racing, something like “Handride blog” or some such :-).
I agree, if the whip discussion amounts to anything with rachel, it will be a huge accomplishment. no one, as you point out, talks about the other horses.
New whip rules in effect here in Ontario. An infraction occurred opening night of the new rules at Woodbine…but everyone will get used to it in time.
Did anyone ever think we’d get used to racing on polytrack?
Make the change!
I agree with both Ian & Malcer - I’d love to see English rules adopted but fear we’re “too far gone”
I think it’s a great idea to set up a site in support of whip-free racing or at the very least whip reform! Having replays would be good but I think it should also be clear that it’s not PETA-esque/anti-racing and should not be about attacking the jocks but getting reform. I’d love to work on it but already have enough in the hopper… however I heartily support anyone who wants to do it! (hint, hint!)
Sid - one can only hope that because people noticed it on Rachel that it can become a priority.
And Keith, great points re: getting used to it.
thx all!
Whether Borel whipped Rachel too much is going to be a debate. IMO he hands ride her when the competition is really weak. This is true when Rachel is racing fillies. BUT when Rachel races against the boys, Borel whips her hard. That’s evident in the Preakness, Haskells and Woodward (21 times). What irks me most if what Borel says after the races. In the Haskells, Rachel was stretching out for the win but Borel still whipped her hard and then he says ‘just tap her a little’. In the Woodward, well what can I say. That is a jockey who asked his horse for whatever being she had. For Borel to say ‘don’t need to hit her because she won’t run any faster’ is ^%$^#$&%&^!!!
This is a filly who is being taken to the very very edge of her ability. Good thing she was allowed 8 pounds or she would have lost. Rachel as gutsy as she is a very good horse. Riding her and promoting her like some GREAT HORSE (which she is not) is a shame. IMO