Quote from NiekH on August 24, 2026, 4:23 PM

Quote from NiekH on August 23, 2026, 3:13 PM

Don Fanucci Zet was a winner in Finland, claiming the $98,000 USD first prize in a mile rate of 1:54.0.

For those wanting to watch the replay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdnZHp8i5po

Quote from Purple Aura on August 24, 2026, 4:40 PM

Impressive. I'm not sure if I liked the horse or the drive more. Nice tandem. Good announcing too. Racing here sucks. 🙂

Quote from Lonnie on August 24, 2026, 7:14 PM

I just watched.  No holes given there!  

Great horse!

Quote from Bgtolex25 on August 25, 2026, 7:31 AM

@niekh

Thanks for the link.  Impressed by the stamina of the entire field.  Interval training?

Quote from NiekH on August 25, 2026, 12:03 PM

Quote from Bgtolex25 on August 25, 2026, 7:31 AM

@niekh

Thanks for the link.  Impressed by the stamina of the entire field.  Interval training?

Combination of a deep sand track and interval training. I believe Daniel uses hill training as well. And obviously just training for longer distances too. Most races here are 2100m or longer.

Quote from Bgtolex25 on August 25, 2026, 5:18 PM

I often wonder if the prevalence of lasix here in NA is partially a result of asking for intense speed without the proper cardiovascular and respiratory conditioning.  Also, the dust from the limestone tracks can’t help.

Quote from NiekH on August 25, 2026, 6:25 PM

It is hard to say what causes the prevalence of bleeding in North America vs. Europe. 
For one, lasix and hopples are illegal. So if you are a bleeder you are kinda screwed.
But we use American studs quite often so it can't just be genetic. It might be our longer distances, it might be out less frequent racing schedule, it might be the air quality, it is hard to say. 

If I look at Marcus Melander's starters, he has had 2 horses on lasix this year.
Interestingly enough, they are both Swedes. Aetos Kronos and Bourbonista. 
Same with Lucas Wallin, only one on Lasix, Kilimanjaro Face. A Dane.

Maybe they got sent overseas because they bled?

Quote from Lonnie on August 26, 2026, 7:57 AM

Quote from NiekH on August 25, 2026, 6:25 PM

...

Maybe they got sent overseas because they bled?

That's why we see lots of Australian and New Zealand horses land on our shores.

Quote from NiekH on August 26, 2026, 4:11 PM

Well this is about as close to a Hambo Oaks revanche as you are gonna get...