Today, California Chrome will be lavishly feted in NBC’s pre-Belmont coverage as he (ludicrously) “chases immortality.” On the other side of this odious spectrum lies a horse named Call Tiger, a 9-year-old gelding with 87 career starts. Nine years old, 87 starts. In all, this pathetic creature has been handled by 13 different trainers (and 3 of those had two separate turns with him) and owned by at least 9 different men. Unsurprisingly, his sale tag – Call Tiger has been laboring almost exclusively on the claiming circuit for five years now – has steadily decreased with the passing years: The first claim on 7/3/08 was for $50,000; six claims later in May of this year, he went for $5,000.
In his last three starts – covering a mere 20 days – Call Tiger has failed to finish twice, the last time just this past Tuesday at Parx. This abuse, not the romantic rhetoric gushing forth from Bob Costas’ silver tongue, is horseracing. Enjoy the Belmont.
I used to watch the Triple Crown races but no more. I have wised up a lot in the last 10 years. About racing and horse slaughter. Both of which I dislike greatly.
Nobody cares about Call Tiger and nobody will point out the abuse this poor horse is forced to endure. And more importantly, nobody will do anything about it. The industry is a disgrace.
As I have said many times, the claiming game is an outrage. It is open season for horse abuse at the hands of the unscrupulous. There are more rules and regulations concerning real property than for “property” such as a horse, a sentient being. What does this say about us as a society !
Thanks to this site, the names of some of the forgotten are given some recognition.
PS The difference between Call Tiger and California Chrome is money and ego.
The truth of this industry – the lives that Call Tiger and thousands of racehorses like him endure day in and day out – is troubling at best. My heart breaks for Call Tiger. How can any “advocate” know Call Tiger’s truth yet support the industry that is making certain he will struggle to survive his enslavement.
Thank you, Patrick, for bringing Call Tiger’s life and plight to our attention.