tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037940159956945489.post4539401063423758906..comments2023-10-12T11:54:04.700-04:00Comments on Power Cap: Jim Squires' New Book~ Headless HorsemenG. C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07604839670701867384noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037940159956945489.post-32845318437760295432011-01-22T00:28:18.641-05:002011-01-22T00:28:18.641-05:00Highly recommend 'Headless Horsemen' as a ...Highly recommend 'Headless Horsemen' as a must read to every person in every type of horse industry. The problems of drugs, growth hormones, steroids, breeding, thievery, and politics aren't just limited to Thoroughbred racing, which seems to stand alone in the public spotlight. The book addresses in particular the decline of the Thoroughbred breed, replacing the stamina of old with speed performance qualities. Yet, for all of the Thoroughbreds ill fated and well publicized maladies, does anyone remember a Quarter Horse named 'Impressive'? Those at the top knew about his genetically faulty qualities for very long time before they ever came clean to the industry and the public that supported their association.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037940159956945489.post-37065872295860844102011-01-22T00:20:32.885-05:002011-01-22T00:20:32.885-05:00Jim Squires book 'Headless Horsemen' was r...Jim Squires book 'Headless Horsemen' was right on the money. Involved in the Thoroughbred horse racing industry for years, it was predictable that the 'perfect storm' was coming. Jim is truthful and courageous as a person and a great writer for exposing those 'dinny blue bloods' at the top who have held ALL the cards to long and led us like sheep to our demise. It is the horses alone that will save us but only if we act like 'mindful horsemen' in time. The great Zenyatta and her team are an example of what racing 'could be' once again if the wrongs of breeding, drugs and politics are righted. The public wants champion racing. Let's bring it back to them WHOLE!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037940159956945489.post-29894077753826488432010-02-02T12:07:34.011-05:002010-02-02T12:07:34.011-05:00I found the book interesting and recognized virtua...I found the book interesting and recognized virtually everyone the author describes. He is undergoing difficult times as is the way when the prices of horses plummet. This occurred in the late 1980s forcing many small breeders out of business. What he fails to say is that although the Sheik Mohammed may be harming his breeding business, the value of his property is safe primarily because of the Sheik’s support for the price of farm land in horse country.<br />What I completely fail to appreciate is his preoccupation with Indian Charlie, the ultimate toady. Is there a person who ever took the sheet seriously? In truth, some of Eddie’s jabs are not in jest, but I suspect that to ignore him would be to disarm him. I would also ask if all “the people who count “even read the sheet .<br />As a dentist I find his reliance on anecdotal evidence most disconcerting.. There must be ways of testing the efficacy of a myriad of drugs on horses, but you need to hire responsible people to do the testing under controlled conditions. Am I to believe that Larry Jones is innocent and Dick Dutrow and Patrick Biancone are guilty, simple because of the author’s friendship with the former?<br />Saratoga and Keeneland appear to be the last two bastions of horse racing. Churchill Downs is a dump and unless you sit in the new luxurious boxes with Jim Squires, you will agree with me. Can Saratoga and Keeneland be replicated? I don’t know, but it wouldn’t hurt to study racing from that angle.<br />And lastly Mr. Squires; are there really too many horses? When I see 5 and 6 horse races virtually every day in California; 7 and 8 horse races in other venues, how can that be possible? A surfeit of horses will certainly depress prices primarily in the less desirable stallions and mares. If you fear lasix, buy your mares in Europe. Entirely to much carping.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037940159956945489.post-65457246657793636302009-08-05T21:24:55.103-04:002009-08-05T21:24:55.103-04:00Power Cap...good reading tip and a great write up....Power Cap...good reading tip and a great write up. I'm off to get a copy. Turk.The Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06471195530549274322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6037940159956945489.post-36005388957856560812009-08-04T13:09:35.869-04:002009-08-04T13:09:35.869-04:00Fortunately Mr. Squires cannot be intimidated by s...Fortunately Mr. Squires cannot be intimidated by shenanigans. Cannot wait to read his book, it has been too long in coming. Maybe it will serve as a wakeup call for all of us who care about the future of the thoroughbred.sununderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10564986074365014627noreply@blogger.com