tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post7321414028213219391..comments2024-02-27T17:43:37.207-05:00Comments on View From the Racetrack Grandstand: Burke Puts Himself in the BullseyeThat Blog Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487597769210721585noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post-14535259700727598652013-02-25T11:53:50.491-05:002013-02-25T11:53:50.491-05:00Thanks for correcting me. The ol' memory is n...Thanks for correcting me. The ol' memory is not what it once was. I have since made the correction.That Blog Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15487597769210721585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post-74879591534934439492013-02-25T10:09:10.431-05:002013-02-25T10:09:10.431-05:00When you made the Al Gore reference I think you me...When you made the Al Gore reference I think you meant Gary Hart (Donna Rice). The Press had pictures of him and Ms. Rice on the aptly named yacht "Monkey Business".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post-76702287133047645812013-02-24T10:59:18.405-05:002013-02-24T10:59:18.405-05:00Casie Coleman hasn't been "proven" a...Casie Coleman hasn't been "proven" a cheat -- is SHE a top trainer?<br /><br />Even Lou Pena has NO recent positives -- is HE a top trainer?<br /><br />A couple of years ago it was Andy Miller that was literally launching horses into orbit -- Cheat, or top trainer?<br /><br />Tracy Brainard can barely describe in an interview what she did to routinely improve horses 15 lengths -- is SHE a "top trainer"?<br /><br />Sorry, but the double standard here is ridiculous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post-37694303622340303322013-02-23T14:54:22.127-05:002013-02-23T14:54:22.127-05:00Mickey Burke was a cheat and that makes Ron the so...Mickey Burke was a cheat and that makes Ron the son of a cheat. It doesn't prove Ron's a cheat. <br /><br />When he's at my home track, he's warming up horses and making equipment adjustments. There are plenty of trainers who never warm up their horses on race night. <br /><br />Sure I have my doubts about the Burke stable because of its success, but what I see is a guy who puts in a lot of time to get the best he can out of a horse.<br /><br />Until something is proven otherwise, let's recognize him as a top trainer. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post-31121578003463728182013-02-23T10:02:17.874-05:002013-02-23T10:02:17.874-05:00I agree with you on Burke: he hasn't failed my...I agree with you on Burke: he hasn't failed my smell test either. This Burke hysteria is ridiculous. <br /> <br />The scale of his operation is so much larger than the rest that there is nobody to compare him to.<br /> <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post-67542139014240040852013-02-23T09:47:36.739-05:002013-02-23T09:47:36.739-05:00I am aware of the fact that almost every horse Bur...I am aware of the fact that almost every horse Burke starts he has partial ownership with other partners.<br /><br />You are also absolutely correct that you don't need to claim a horse to get an amazing turnaround.<br /><br />I am also aware that Mickey Burke ran into trouble but just the same you can't convict someone of cheating because their father did (though it certainly gives pause).<br /><br />What I will admit to is just looking at the Meadowlands standings was not fair either way as his operation is all over. Looking at his UTR nationally is more accurate which is .393. So far this year, his record is 415 starts with 113 wins, 64 seconds, and 44 thirds which currently is his career best (of course it ie early). I will admit winning one out of every four races is unusual.<br /><br />However, the point remains by proclaiming his innocence, Burke has inadvertingly challenged the press to come get him; hence the bulls eye.That Blog Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15487597769210721585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post-52292047256344645272013-02-22T21:05:35.024-05:002013-02-22T21:05:35.024-05:00Much credibility is lost when you talk about their...Much credibility is lost when you talk about their "many owners". The fact remains that the Burkes own virtually ALL of their horses, with a select group of partners. Considering you aren't even aware of this (after literally thousands of starts), I'd respectfully suggest that maybe you haven't been following them closely at all (which would also explain why you're unaware of their very long list of Pena-like form improvements). Hint - you don't need to CLAIM one to improve a horse by 15 lengths; it's just as apparent on private purchases, which make up the bulk of their huge stable. PS - as far as "time will tell", perhaps you're also unaware that Ron's dad Mickey was facing a significant suspension when he made a "deal", basically "retitiring" and putting his son down in the program. Of course, Ron doesn't actually sit behind very many of the horses - yet they perform at an amazing rate in 4-5 different states, regardless of who oversees them. Impressive indeed!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post-13279413654748162272013-02-22T18:43:49.088-05:002013-02-22T18:43:49.088-05:00This is why I mentioned in the blog that Burke has...This is why I mentioned in the blog that Burke has put himself in the bulls eye. As to why so many owners go over to him, the same could be asked about Jimmy Takter, Ray Schnittker and others.<br /><br />Yes, the Burke stable may have had miracle improvements; sometimes a trainer can do that. The question is to what degree are we seeing miracle improvements? Some trainers have shown that on almost any horse they claimed or got their hands on.<br /><br />Time will tell if my faith is misplaced or not. There have been trainers in the past where they flunked my smell test and it later turned out there was something going on. At this point, Burke is passing the smell test.That Blog Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15487597769210721585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post-20878025675854756582013-02-22T15:28:07.171-05:002013-02-22T15:28:07.171-05:00So the question that should be asked is: If Burke ...So the question that should be asked is: If Burke is clean, and his win % is nothing crazy, why do so many owners use him?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post-34856374940553213802013-02-22T15:19:58.201-05:002013-02-22T15:19:58.201-05:00Comparing such a small sample is useless in provin...Comparing such a small sample is useless in proving Burke's "innocence" or "guilt". But looking at the overwhelming number of horses that he has improved dramatically at ALL tracks over the past several years paints a much clearer picture. While it seems more fashionable to castigate the Penas of the world, Burke has had way more than his share of "miracle improvements" himself. Not saying this proves anything, but that type of observation is far more significant than the list you posted in today's blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4684463172854959042.post-1144295661039985282013-02-22T14:49:10.621-05:002013-02-22T14:49:10.621-05:00This is way too small of a sample to compare those...This is way too small of a sample to compare those trainers to Burke. Maybe those with 20 or more starts are worth looking at. But nmy opinion that is it, and would be of limited use at that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com