National Treasure crosses finish line 1st at Preakness, hours after other Baffert horse euthanized

[CountAllVotes]

Source: Associated Press

BALTIMORE — Bob Baffert’s National Treasure won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, ending Mage’s Triple Crown bid in the trainer’s return from a suspension — and just hours after another of his 3-year-old horses was euthanized on the track.

Baffert headed to the winner’s circle on the same day that his colt Havnameltdown went down with a fatal left leg injury in an undercard race. Baffert said he and his team were in shock.

“Winning this,” Baffert said, choking back tears after National Treasure’s win, “losing that horse earlier really hurts. It’s been a very emotional day.”

The fatality was another dark moment for a sport already reeling from the deaths of seven horses at Churchill Downs in a 10-day span leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

Read more: https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2023/05/national-treasure-crosses-finish-line-1st-at-preakness-hours-after-other-baffert-horse-euthanized.html?utm_campaign=theoregonian_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

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How many have died under Baffert?

Enough already!

[AllyCat]

1. 3 years old. Their bones aren't even set until 4 or 5.

I love thoroughbred horses. They are my ideal horse.

This sport is horrid. I’m on multiple sites helping people rescue the also-rans from the slaughter house.

[TexasBushwhacker]

16. But don't they get slower as they as they age?

[AllyCat]

19. They cost a lot to feed for 2-3 more years

waiting for them to mature.

[hay rick]

23. Many of the races are age restricted.

The triple crown races are restricted to 3-year-olds. They will not race against older colts and horses until later in the year and even then they will typically get a weight allowance. The very best 3-year-olds very seldom race as horses (5 years old+) or even as 4-year-olds when they are still considered colts. Their breeding value makes continued racing too risky. Successful fillies may also be retired early for similar reasons.

Those thoroughbreds who continue to race probably reach their peak between 4 and 6. It is common for geldings to race for several more years after their 3-year-old season as they have no breeding value to protect.

[Bayard]

20. I refreshed my memory on this last week

Their joints are usually closed by age 3. But they will keep growing till 5+ years.

[AllyCat]

21. They start racing them at 2.

The Triple crown races are for 3 year olds.

Also, and you may already know this, all TBs have their birthdays January 1, so if they were born in July of 2021, they are technically 2 year olds now and racing at a year and 9 months.

[Bayard]

26. They can race them at two,

But they have to be pretty mature for their age. Its not the smartest thing in the world, since that means they start training even earlier. I'm not crazy about 3 year old's racing, but its been the tradition here for 149 years.

All that being said, these horses live to run. TB's more than any other. Horses evolved as grass-eating prey animals. Even now, its a wonder they let us on their backs, as that's right where a mountain lion would jump on them.

Sighthounds (breeds that hunt by sight instead of smell) also live to run. I've had Greyhounds, Salukis, and Borzois. Two of my Greyhounds were retired off the track, my girl was a washout so we were able to get her when she was only a year old. When she started training, she was so fast, she would race to the front of the pack and start tripping everybody else up to play.
We used to take our Grey's coursing, with the Louisville Coursing Club. You go out on a big open field, set up a big wire course with lots of twists and turns, so the (lure--usually just a plastic grocery bag) can run on it powered by a car battery.
Its great fun, and the dogs totally LOVE it. My same little girl would be going bananas at the start of a run, even chewing at the leash to be let go. They usually run 3 dogs at a time. My girl always won, and starting accruing championship points.

I've known a number of OTT (off the track) TB's that went on to do well in other careers, like jumping, eventing, and dressage. But the urge to fly is always there.

[AllyCat]

28. I had an OTTB. We competed through IP in eventing.

She was not fast on the track but raced at 2 and 3. I was lucky she retired sound. But she ALWAYS wanted to run.

Yes, TBs are bred to run. But they are dependent on humans to make sound choices for them. Breeders and trainers are trying to make $. If they can race them at “two”, they will do what they feel is necessary to make cash.

I just don’t think they should be racing in immature joints and still growing bones.

[Bayard]

30. I agree with your last statement

It sounds like you were much better at eventing than I was. I spent too much time in the ER. Went to straight dressage, and never looked back.

[AllyCat]

31. Well, I did spend some time in the ER.

Right now doing hunters (yawn) and dressage as well. My mare has been gone 10 years. I miss her so much. I’ve never ridden a horse that can jump like she did.

[Lefta Dissenter]

33. wow, ten years.

How has the time flown by like that? C and I were just talking about some of the old friends from those clinics and shows - weekends hanging out with friends, horses, mosquitoes and maybe a beverage or two.

I’m glad you’re at least keeping up with riding, even if you’re not eventing now.

[AllyCat]

35. Those were the days! We had so much fun!

I would like to event again but thinking novice might be the most fun. Actually riding with a decent dressage program and actually learning something! It’s actually really fun!

[PlutosHeart]

2. Another human whining for sympathy

at the cost of another animal's/living creature's life
People like this make me sick. It is like someone on SM crying that their dog or cat was hit by a car and oh boo hoo, (it was their fault to let it out) and taking a thread of responsibility or blame. Just soaking up sympathy.

[CountAllVotes]

3. Baffert is a criminal

We know that already.

Too bad the racing commission didn't opt to permanently toss him OUT for GOOD!

Greed greed greed!

At the expense of a beautiful innocent animal!

[PlutosHeart]

4. Yes. But doesn't help the horses that continually

face this threat. And it is not just him. Many are euthanized due to not being up to standard.
There are ways to admire horses without the races. Without the betting propelling them.
Humans are a failed species in many ways. This is just one direct example.

[Rebl2]

5. Hear's a thought

Baffert. STOP racing horses.

[montanacowboy]

6. Horse Racing is a deadly sport

and the innocent beautiful animals suffer for the greed of men It makes me sick. I was in the horse business for many years, breeding, training and showing quarter horses. I loved my horses like my family and never harmed them. But this racing business is a whole other business. Just so much flesh to them. I hope there is a special hell for these fuckers.

[Enoki33]

7. Those of us who love the strength,

speed and majesty of the thoroughbred on the track do not questions the right of others to buy a pit bull dog that has a history of killing children. Pit bulls were specifically bred for fighting. Today I won money on Preakness. If the 1/2 finish had been reversed it would still have been a magnificent race. It is not only about money.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

8. Enjoy your yuppie blood sport.

Pit Bull isn't even a breed, it's a broad term.

[Enoki33]

13. Thank you . I intend to. Have a nice day too.

[Polybius]

24. It's not a yuppy sport

My dad was the furthest thing imaginable from a yuppy, and he adored horse racing. A lot of old, NY Italian men loved it, or at least did in the 80's. OTB was their second home.

For the record, I don't do horse racing.

[AZ8theist]

25. "Yuppie blood sport"??

..not even remotely accurate.

[sybylla]

9. That's a lot of words for "I have no empathy."

You just essentially said: so long as I get joy out of it, what does it matter that the beings who are the means of my joy spend their life in joyless conditions, are overworked, abused and slaughtered?

That is some flag to be waving.

[Enoki33]

15. Every day I am instantly judged what and who l

am after one look. I do not need the additional luxury you afford. Thanks anyway.

[AnrothElf]

11. Delete this post

Then delete your account

[Enoki33]

12. You do not tell me what to do.

[AnrothElf]

18. Pretty sure I just did.

[PatrickforB]

14. Domesticated animals really do not do well at our hands.

There is much cruelty practiced on them so we can smell nice, have our new drugs tested, be entertained at animal shows, rodeos, horseraces, dog races, and so on.

Put on the hat of compassion for a moment and imagine you are a racehorse that stumbles on a track and then has to be killed immediately. Or the kittens left in a freezing barn to die as two of our cats were. Or the dogs who get chained up and starved outside in the freezing cold or baking heat. And what about how 'big ag' treats our cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys?

The sad truth here, Enoki, is that we are the only species on this planet about whom it can be said that if we went extinct, all other life here would be better off. Think on that, for it is true. Our species, because of the diseased quest for profits over all else, is presiding over one of the greatest mass extinctions in the history of our earth, and putting our very planet in danger of becoming uninhabitable for us.

Though you won money by betting on the Preakness, think on these things. Is the few dollars you collected worth the suffering of the animals in this 'industry?'

[Enoki33]

17. Whenever someone watching one of the

myriad of sports available for betting on and wins a few bucks is that also used against them? Would appreciate you not trying to preach to me. I many moons ago gave up the hypocrisy of religion. Thanks for your moderation.

[oldsoftie]

36. But the other sports participants decide on their participation.

No one is made to play football or basketball or made to box or wrestle

[CTyankee]

22. My understanding was that they were bred just for a race then to contribute their sperm for

breeding. Do they die relatively young?

[oldsoftie]

37. A lot of money is made from "studs" after racing.

Secretariat lived to be 19. Many do get to live a good "retirement" since people will pay big money for them to sire another possible champion.

But too many race horses are dying at tracks. There are many articles on the problem. Many of these tracks & races we hear nothing about.

[CTyankee]

39. Animal abuse is so disgusting I hate even thinking about it. I try to avoid these races as it just

looks like the horses are abused by a bunch of rich drunk people who never got straight with their racist views.

[oldsoftie]

10. Horse racing should go out like dog racing. Time to stop this nonsense.

I think dog racing is only in W Va now.

[Peregrine Took]

29. Amen!

[Raine]

32. Absolutely end this evil "sport" it's disgusting! nt

[LPBBEAR]

27. What a barbaric

(cough cough) "sport".
If they're going to "put down" injured horses I'd like to see the owners put down at the same time.

[Envirogal]

34. It's not just the abject cruelty of this sport

It’s the over breeding and selling off the losers that didn’t make the cut, to meet an undignified end in the gruesome slaughterhouse supply chain.

Any person supporting this yuppie bloodsport is enabling the problem. No better than the cock fighters, dog racing or dog fighter in the litany of dysfunctional, cruel and greedy humans betting sports.

[leftyladyfrommo]

38. I can't watch horse or dog racing. I think it's awful. nt

[Wonder Why]

40. "Okay, N.T., if you don't win, you get what your stablemate got"