Resilience seem to be the word being pelted around as I asked questions to those involved in horse racing about being able to overcome the toughness of the sport. Being spun left right and center by agents, trainers and sometimes it seems like anyone else who is willing to do the spinning.
Jockeys are forced to build some of the toughest skins around and the broadest smiles.
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| Javier Castellano |
Countless jockeys use different strategies to break into colonies around the world and many go unsuccessful based on so many different reasons.
Trainers find themselves somewhere in the middle most of the time with the difficult job of managing horses and giving jockeys the break they so badly require to become successful at what they do. Owners continue to love being involved and the addiction to just helping an industry that is crying out for help.
Somewhere between the mix of it all lies grooms hot walkers and others who feel like they are equally important to the equation of the sport.
The horses don't speak a language audible to humans but they do tell us things once you have become locked into them. I remember watching the beautiful story behind Cody's Wish and couldn't help myself as a tear ran down the side of my face and the legacy behind Cody's Wish was re-created with its fifth win in a row and three consecutive grade 1 victories.
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| Castellano's first career Kentucky Derby title |
So who really is hurting the most from a tarnished reputation?
It's hard to say because equally others are hurt by a tarnished reputation and it will lead to others being hurt financially which trickles down and could cost the barn.
derek.barntrack@gmail.com