Horse Friendly Decisions Made During Kentucky Derby Weekend

Posted by BarbaraAnne Helberg May 8, 2009

Scratching Justwhistledixie and I Want Revenge from their big races on Kentucky Derby weekend were spot on decisions by Thoroughbred racing connections. The industry enjoyed a moment well-deserved in the spotlight of rightness, for those two decisions were made for the best interest of two horses who were to be key participants in their pretigious races. Their removals from the weekend's two prime races, the Kentucky Oaks May 1 and the Kentucky Derby May 2, respectively, changed the faces of the races and altered public betting, all for the good of the animals.

Decisions of this type are difficult for all involved in the fervor of conditions that surround a big race day, and racing at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday weekend in May represents Thoroughbred racing's grandest celebration of its sport. Kudos for those key weekend decisions are justly deserved.

Another good decision was made in the Kentucky Derby running, as Friesan Fire, who took over the betting favorite's spot when I Want Revenge wasn't able to run, was badly clipped coming out of the gate. FF's jockey, Gabriel Saez, closely observed his mount's difficulty. Saez quickly determined that Friesan Fire recovered to gait correctly, and that the son of A.P. Indy could continue to go unhampered in an easy gallop. Saez dropped the reins and let the colt finish the race at his own pace. The 135th Kentucky Derby card will always say Friesan Fire finished 18th in a shortened field of nineteen.

What always won't be obvious on that card's statistics is that a jockey took care of his horse in a decision similar to that of jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard favorite Big Brown in last season's Belmont Stakes with a Triple Crown title on the line. That duo finished dead last, but alive and well.