Page 15 - November 2008 The Game
P. 15

Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
The Libra Jockey
The Game, November 2008 15
When I arrived in Massachusetts, my knowledge of its history was limited
to the famous Boston Tea Party (1773) when American colonists dumped crates of tea into Boston Harbour,
settled in on the lead with Don Meade Jr. Five lengths in front of the  eld for the entire trip, Donny and I had our own private race. We contested the
last sixteenth of a mile head-to-head, exchanging the lead at every stride, Donny ahead, then Paddy. Tip O Flag gave everything he had but at the wire, Donny got the nod. I would have berat- ed myself for losing in a photo  nish if it hadn’t been Meade who beat me.
one outing. The Libra jockey knows what’s happening and will not push an animal beyond its
capacity. The Libra
A Head at the Wire
A Series of Real Life Stories by Paddy Head www.paddyhead.ca
and the chilling account of the Salem witch trials almost a century earlier (1692). After two years of racing in New England, however, Boston had become my home. Venturing into the city was always exciting. Not blessed with a good sense of direction I often found myself in an unfamiliar section of the city, miles from my destination. One evening I wandered into an area dubbed The Combat Zone. It’s violent denizens made their home a seriously scary district. I was happy to leave this kingdom of chaos for safer ground.
jockey seldom disap- points while up on the favourite. Best month for this rider to be in the money— February.
On the backstretch, I was sur- rounded by familiar faces, both human and equine. Wayne and Marie Lewis brought a couple of horses from Nar- ragansett to train at Suffolk, including their new colt, Yellow Hip. I had the perfect balance of young prospects and old warriors.
A newspaper article in the Boston Globe featured a picture of the break from the gate, the grandstand full of eager punters as the new season began. The winner was not mentioned but I was given credit for  nishing second.
Other opportunities presented them- selves. A trainer would approach me in the cook shack and offer me a mount. Within the hour, I could gather enough information on both the trainer and the horse to make my decision. (I didn’t for a minute think I was capable of solving every horse’s problem.)
I interpreted this as a positive sign of things to come. To add to my general feeling of optimism, my mother found an unusual horoscope written for the Libra jockey. For all jockeys born in October, I’d like to share the character- istics of this sign:
Suffolk had its share of seasoned veterans who were a pleasure to ride. One of these was a seven year old named Tip O Flag. Though I had gal- loped him a few times in the morning, I had no idea of his racing abilities. He was one of those veterans who save his energy for the afternoon races. The big chestnut gelding broke sharply in the mile and seventy yard race and we
The Libra jockey gives an even ride, has grace and a special touch—the horse under him/her generally lives
up to form. For the owner or trainer who wants real insight about a horse’s capabilities, this jockey can provide
Racing was in Donny’s blood from the day he was born. His father, Don Meade senior, had his most famous moment when he won the 1933 Ken- tucky Derby on Brokers Tip. Rac-
ing was at a different level back in the grim 30’s. The two jockeys, Don Meade and Herb Fisher, were in com- bat throughout the stretch, grabbing saddle cloths and knocking feet out of stirrups. Meade came out the winner, just as his son did but the modern day win at Suffolk was accomplished in a cleaner fashion.
I can’t claim to be impartial but I  nd this is a fair assess- ment.
CARA BLOODSTOCK Sales Agency
November quality Selling at Woodbine CTHS Ontario Winter mixed Sale - November 29, 2008
broodmares by:
BUCKAROO • DIESIS (GB) • ELUSIVE QUALITY FRENCH DEPUTY • HOLY BULL • LEAR FAN MIZZEN MAST • MR. GREELEY
PROUD CITIZEN • RED RANSOM • ROANOKE SEATTLEDANCER • SILENTSCREEN SILVER DEPUTY • SON OF BRIARTIC SMART STRIKE • TWO PUNCH • WAGON MASTER
yearlings by:
BOLDN’FLASHY • SEAWALL
Weanlings by:
ACT OF DUTY • E. DUBAI • DEVIL HIS DUE SABRE D’ARGENT (2) • SURVIVALIST
Enquiries to bernard mcCormack
CARA BLOODSTOCK
905-986-0122 or cell: 905-261-8852
email: carabloodstock@aol.com
Now accepting entries for keeneland January 2009, entries close November 1, 2008
a good rundown after perhaps only
White Line Disease - continued from page 14
More commonly, the area is kept open and treated regularly with an anti-bacte- rial or anti-fungal medication which has a drying effect.
There have also been some promising results using chlorine dioxide (used
in food service to clean vegetables and food processing areas) to ‘gas’ the feet. When mixed with vinegar, chlorine dioxide produces a gas that can permeate the hoof wall and kill the bacteria and/or fungi without having to
cut away the outer wall. It is applied once or twice a week
to the foot, for about 45 minutes, using a boot or bag.
Certified Training Programs
Animal Science Continuing Education Race Track Programs - Short Courses
Exercise Rider/Jockey Training
November 10, 2008
13 weeks plus 60 ride practicum
groom Training
January 12, 2009
11 weeks plus 88 hour practicum
For Animal Science Continuing Education Details visit: www.oldscollege.ca/ continuingeducation/animalscience
or call 1-800-661-OLDS (6537), ext. 4767 or register at ext. 4677
PROGNOSIS AND PREVENTION:
White line disease can take up to a year to resolve,
depending on how far up towards the coronary band the disease has reached and how much hoof is removed in the resection. The good news is that the prognosis for recovery to full soundness is excellent – but horses who have had one episode may be prone to more, so they require careful monitoring and expert farriery.
You can minimize the risk of white line disease returning by keeping horses out of wet conditions, including soggy stalls and lush pasture with dew-wet grass. Constant mois- ture, especially when the air is hot and humid, allows the hooves to soften and separate, giving pathogens the oppor- tunity to enter. Control  ares in the hoof wall with diligent farrier care, but do only minimal trimming of the sole ... and address any other conformational problems such as long-toe/low heel, with gradual corrective trimming.
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