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Thanks for taking questions Larry.  And, once again condolences on "Eight Belles".  With that said, if you can in a "nutshell", what is Winstrol, and why is it even given.  There are many feed supplements if you need to get weight on any animal as well as brighten up their coat, etc., so why these monthly injections?  Is it just arbitrary with some trainers to go through their barn and give this to every horse, every month?  I don't understand this mentality.  

Very eloquent, well thought out answers. Every bit of respect I have goes out to him.

Congrats, Mr.Jones, on Stone River's (among others) win the other day at Delaware. I was thoroughly impressed.

Wonderful interview!  Very interesting and well said.

I really respect Larry Jones and all of the people he works with. I enjoyed reading this and liked that he said the same thing I was thinking about how Big Brown would size up to the horses last year.

Interesting. Larry provided the perfect example of how a trainer should deal with the media following an unexpected development in a race. Couldn't provide a better contrast between his immediate availability and Dutrow's "run and hide" response - and look who had the horse that actually died.

Larry Jones is a very good trainer and does right by his horses. I have a partner that uses Larry and he says his avg vet bill per horse is between 60 and 80 per month! That is unheard of with top trainers in the U.S. That tells me his horses run on talent and good training. Most importantly, he is a class act.

To answer Susan's question about Winstrol.  This is an anabolic steroid that causes increased strength without causing weight gain and increases vascularity.  While I am not here to say the horse should have ran on it or not, with the quarter crack, lack of training due to it, and having run 2 races in a two week period...it might have been Big Brown's best weapon in keeping his fitness to have gotten his injection for the month of May.  I believe that Mr. Dutrow's previous drug violations were brought forth by the media and he felt pressure from BB's connections to NOT give the drug due to the bad press it would cause.  

Thank you Mr. Jones for your comments.I agree with you on the three strikes and your out comment.There's always somebody in the game who is trying to take an edge instead of doing things the right way.Your comments on KD not riding out the horse,good for you! My condolences to you,your crew and your owners on your loss.What an enormous heart she had.

Excellent interview, Jason, and those were some well-thoughout out, but very direct answers on Larry's part. He is truly one of the classiest trainers in the sport. Again, my condolences to Larry, his family and staff.

This interview just goes to show what a class act Larry Jones is. Like Mr. Jones, I hope the loss of Eight Belles will lead to some positive changes made for the safety of these lovely creatures. Keep up the good work, Mr. Jones.  

I enjoyed the interview and comments that Larry Jones made. I had much respect for Larry Jones as a person and trainer before the interview I and now afterwards even more.

Wow, another person Dutrow rubbed the wrong way. To bad the horse gets beat up over the connections.

Great interview Jason and very well said Larry!! I'm in total agreement BB doesn't match up to last year's top 3 as well.

I have nothing but respect for Mr. Jones and he did an excellent job fleshing out a lot of the industry's opinions.  Well said.

Almost 6 weeks after that tragedy I still feel awfully bad thinking of Kentucky Derby...I am really sorry for your loss!! She was a GREAT filly and I really hope that her death will bring something good to the racing world.

Regarding Big Brown - I was really hoping that this horse will bring me my "graduation gift" - Triple Crown... I was "wowed" many times by Dutrow's comments and I cannot say that he is my favorite person, but at least this guy tells what he thinks! He is really honest, maybe not so bright, but really honest. How many trainers released info that they did give their horses steroids?!? Non, zero...until Rick. And how many horses are running on "juice" - more than we can imagine... Dutrow can be intimidating others, saying things that many wouldn't say (or at least would dress them up in different words :-), but he is HONEST. In today's world I think it is such a rare value and almost unseen thing, that's why I think people should appreciate him, they don't have to like him, but appreciate. We should never forget that thanks to this guy, the rest of the allowed steroids will be banned, thanks to his honesty! I also think that BB is a real champion and hopefully he will be given chance to prove that to us. Match with Curlin in BC? Perfect! Hmmmm, I just hope that they will screen both of them for drugs...

EB - rest in peace courageous filly - you will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

Larry Jones is quickly becoming one my favorite trainers and is a fine spokesman for this sport.  Look underneath the hat and you find a man who loves the game, loves the animals, and handles himself with class.  

I can't believe Larry Jones is guilty of blaming Big Brown for the attitudes and actions of his connections.  Mr. Jones was rooting for us "not to have a triple crown winner" because he doesn't agree with some things that were said or done.  May I suggest reading Steve Haskin's beautifully-written article which was just posted at BloodHorse.com.  Big Brown is a horse.  He is not responsible for the actions of people.  Big Brown is a champion no matter what the people around him do or say.

great interview - you are a class act, Mr. Jones.  We will never forget your Eight Belles.  

Larry Jones, everything you said here just makes me love and respect you all the more. Thanks for training Thoroughbreds.

Thank you Mr. Jones for your comments.  Best wishes to you and your connections.

I think the thoroughbred industry needs to step up and regulate itself.  I'm so sick and tired of politicians like Arlen Specter and others in Congress trying to regulate sports.  Most members of Congress hardly know the difference between Secretariat and Mr. Ed much less the difference between synthetic surfaces and conventional dirt.  Why can't the industry on it's own initiative form a body that would govern racing in all 50 states?

Larry Jones is truly one of the nice guys in this world. Thanks for the excellent interview.

Mr. Jones, Thank you for negating PETA's ridiculous claim that Eight Belles should not have run in the Derby because she's a filly. I think that - more than anything else they said - riled me up the most. She proved her heart with her incredible finish and they cannot take that away from her. You're truly a class act, Mr. Jones.

Thank you so much for the Q&A with Mr. Jones, a trainer very much admired by this simple horse fan.  My heart goes out to him and his family for the loss of Eight Belles and I'm grateful at the same time that he is still doing so great with Proud Spell, another wonderful filly.  Thanks!

Thank you Larry Jones!

I didn't know who Larry Jones was before Hard Spun, but everything I have learned about him since has made me believe he is one class act and a great horseman.  I loved the fact that he rode Hard Spun sometimes in the morning.  He doesn't abuse his horses, but he doesn't treat him like babies either.  Definitely one of the top trainers on my list.  Here, he has shown how you can tell it like it is, but with tact.

Jazz (and others who are berating those of us rooting against the TC)-Most comments I have read are not blaming the horse or even hating the horse.  Here's the newsflash:  The horse doesn't even know what the Triple Crown is.  The prestige of the TC is mostly for the connections, and I'm sorry, but I did not feel as if those connections deserved that prestige just because they lucked into a good horse.  It wasn't so much Dutrow for me, as the idea of the TC going to a bunch of investors.  That's just my feelings, and I'm entitled to them.  Again, it's nothing against the horse.  Fans berate managers and coaches in other sports all the time.  It doesn't mean they don't like the team.  

Haskin wrote a great article, but I don't feel like most people suddenly hate the horse or are down on him.  People are just disappointed.  Had he finished 3rd or 4th, I don't think it would have been so bad, but the shock of being last leaves you second-guessing how good he was.  If he comes back at the top of the game, I think most people will be just fine with that.

very well said LJ.. You not only are a terrific horsemen but a true gentlemen that is not too scared to say the truth and what you feel in the belly.. racing would not be better off if those crooks won the triple crown!!  in fact its sad they have a place in history but i believe one day it will be marred with an asterisk next to it..  more horsemen should speak out of the bad rep r dutrow gave us horsemen by his public outbursts and creepy predictions..

ps

why arent people making anything about dutrow and ieah calling out Curlin?? Curlin is undoubtably the greatest horse in training they spoke down to him with a horse who hasnt beaten anyone that has hit a 100 beyer yet!!!

Wonderful interview from a very compassionate and humble man who obviously cares deeply for horses and racing. We need more like him.

Jazznmimi, he wasn't rooting against the horse - he just didn't want a triple crown winner! With the horse comes the entire package of owners, trainer and jockey.

If you care to really look at WHY he said that, Dutrow said some pretty out-of-place things about John Servis and Smarty Jones - which by far justify Jones' hoping against a TC winner.

Thank you, Mr. Jones. I agree with every point that you made. I too miss Eight Belles, but I am glad that you are not 2nd guessing her running in the Derby. She was a class act and showed that to the world. I'm also a devoted fan of another of your recent graduates, Hard Spun. I LOVE that boy! I was so hoping he'd win in the triple crown races and always rooted for him. Irregardless, he is an AMAZING horse and I just hope I can visit him in KY before I get too old! hehe

Kelly S, beautifully said.  You're right all the way in my opinion.  No one is berating the horse.  The horse in wonderful.  What might have happened if he'd had Larry Jones for a trainer?

Wonderful interview - Larry Jones continues to be one of horse racing's classiest acts. Mr. Jones, we will always remember and honor your beautiful Belles.

this is such a fresh prospective from  a trainer that has dealt with worse recently than Dutrow has- maybe Dutrow should take lesson from Larry Jones on tact and humility.

Eight Belles was the sad victim to fate, unfortunately, but she will not be forgotten.  Whatever the reason, this filly will help racing more than she will ever now.

Thank you, Jason,for taking the time to interview Larry Jones and thank you Larry for allowing us to hear what you have to say, despite your loss.

Big Brown on his best day watches Smarty's butt on his worst day. Comments about Smarty's conditioning were laughable before this Belmont, and are more ludicrous now.  Dutrow is bad for the game.

LARRY JONES HAS A LOT OF "CLASS" & "HORSE KNOWLEDGE" UNDER THAT WHITE HAT HE IS WEARING.

MY FAMILY & MYSELF WISH LARRY JONES, HIS FAMILY AND STAFF "ALL THE BEST IN THE FUTURE."

I felt Haskin's article was a little mis-targeted. I don't think anyone got down on the horse. I feel like the disappointment fell primarily on the jockey, and then the trainer.  No one was down on Big Brown. We were all scrambling to see how the jockey screwed up and to make Dutrow eat his words. :-/

We appreciate articles and interviews with respectable trainers, owners, etc. It's no surprise that respect wins out everytime. As for the actual race, I use a computer program to do most of my handiscrapping, and the placing of the first 3 in the belmont was no surprise to it. BB was slotted to finish off the board as far as it was concerned. So therefore, nothing easier than to bet against a horse with no value at the windows. Also AG was big.

I think even more of Eight Belles talent...she was steroid free while Dutrow admitting giving steroids to Big Brown.  In my opinion Eight Belles was the better athlete on KD day and definately has more class (so do her connections).  Still think of her and hope this along w/ other breakdowns bring change to the horse racing industry.

Larry Jones deserves a Triple Crown.

RIP Eight Belles. You are sorely missed.

WONDERFUL INTERVIEW, WONDERFUL TRAINER! I PRAY THE GOOD LORD WILL BLESS YOU WITH MANY WONDERFUL HORSES. HE IS IN CHARGE OF IT ALL AFTER ALL.  

Very insightful interview. I wish Cowboy Jones and his outfit the best of luck. Good guys like him should always finish first.

    If you have ever been around Larry Jones you would know how genuine of a person he truly is.  He too is honest, but unlike Dutrow, he has a more tactful and classy way of speaking his opinion & the truth.  Take his comment on Big Brown for example.  He states that he pretty much says that Bib Brown wouldn't have been able to dominate against last year's 3 year olds like he did against this year's 3 year olds, but he still gives Big Brown respect by saying he is a talented horse.  Has Dutrow given respect to any other 3 year old this year or even Curlin for that matter?  Well with his comments like "The Japanese think Godzilla is dead...Godzilla is not dead" & in reference to Curlin "...it would be good for us and good for racing, but not so good for them"  I don't think he has shown an ounce of respect or class through this whole matter.  Also, when people outside of the industry like PETA tried to go after Gabriel Saez and blame him for the Eight Belles' tragedy, who was the first person to come to his defense?  Yes, it was Larry Jones.  You can't say the same thing for Dutrow.  When everyone started to blame Desormeaux for Big Brown's loss and for easing him through the stretch, hell, Dutrow didn't defend him, he jumped on the band wagon and took the reigns.  Yep, that is something I can respect, but hey at least he's honest, right?  Well, that is if you can call, what is it 17 or 19 drug violations since 2000, honest!

    Now back to Mr. Jones, he always seems to do better with the fillies so last year I was extremely happy to see him have success with a very talented colt like Hard Spun because if anyone in this game deserves it, it is him.

    As far as Barbaro Fans' comments about a match race in the BC Classic b/w Big Brown and Curlin and making sure both horses are screened for drugs, give me a break!  Curlin did win 2 races in a row in Dubai and, if I'm not mistaken, they don't even allow Lasix in Dubai let alone steroids or anything of the kind and he seemed to do just fine!  If you don't believe me, just ask Buff Bradley how strict they are about medication in Dubai.  His very minor mistake, cost him, his father and Brass Hat about $1.2 million.  Big Brown's only chance to beat Curlin would be if he were to race Curlin at 1 1/16 or less & I still don't think he would beat Curlin.  Unfortunately for him, the BC Classic is a 1 1/4 of which Curlin is 4 for 5.  Sorry to everybody else for getting a little sidetracked there and away from the article on Larry Jones.  Great interview Jason.

Kelly S... the fact that BB came in dead last should not leave anyone second guessing anything about BB because Kent eased him up, forcing him to stop racing. No one knows where BB would have finished had he been allowed to finish the race.

My heart goes out to Mr. & Mrs. Jones and the rest of Eight Belles' team.  I've liked the Jones' since following Hard Spun last year and with everything I've read or seen about him since, my regard for him has only risen!  In a nutshell, this man puts the horse first!  We need more trainers like him.

Great interview Jason. Good to hear from a class act who answers thoughtfully and from both the head and heart.

Jason-- first you score with Iavarone over the phone with no note pad, and now Jones in a more formal session. Great stuff once again-- many thanks.

Comments made here by others about Larry right-on-the-mark: a wonderful horseman, and it only goes to show how truly wacko and overtly opportunistic the PETA crowd is for going after this literal and figurative "white hat" guy.

While I suspect Rick Porter pushed him to move his base of operation to Fair Hill, I think the former commercial farmer from Hopkinsville, KY will feel right at home in Cecil County, MD. Rubbing shoulders on a daily basis with the likes of quality guys like H G Motion and Michael Matz and their "horse first" operations, to name but two among the many who are based out of Fair Hill, an added plus for Larry. There are many positives to being based at a non-track setting, to include the opportunity to let the horse simply be a horse. Good training is both mental and physical.

His take on doping interesting, to say the least. While he may be right there was more doping in the past, the next regulatory moves will either be the start of meaningful reform or it will serve to drive the problem further underground and make detection even more difficult, inasmuch as there is simply no urine or blood testing protocol now available to test for roughly 70 of the hundred or so 'roids  now out there.

Congress being an inherently reactionary body, I only hope the hearings serve to identify the real problems and the need for a single, unified governing body to  address them, while concurrently investing that body with real power to make meaningful sanctions stick. Tell you what, the first time a trainer cannot pass his stable along to an assistant while serving a suspension, and instead is directed to disperse his stable to other trainers up and down the shedrow,  you will finally get the attention of the Asmussens and Dutrows of this world.

As for the Congressional oversight hearing, the witness list will likely tell much of the story before the first oral testimony heard. As for legislative action, well, forget it: no time for this Congress to act-- between the early recess for the National nominating conventions and other pending bills already crowding this short legislative calandar, this Congress won't even manage to pass the 13 individual annual appropriations bills to keep the Executive Branch agencies running, instead folding these funding bills into one big omnibus continuing resolution. In sum, the Congressional hearing more for the optics of showing action and getting that sound bite on the evening news, as opposed to driving the substance of taking action. Typically it's what happens before the hearing and after which matters more....

Larry Jones is truely a class act in racing and we are all sorry for the loss of his great filly and she will not have died in vain.  I have to admit I did think he was running her in the derby for the wrong reasons(AKA the "wayne lukas" syndrome) but after watching that race I know he had the horse to win and I am sorry she had to face big brown, otherwise she would have handily beat the rest of those colts!! Hats off to you Mr. Jones!!!!!

What a wonderful person the horse racing community has in Larry Jones. I have followed his career for many years and feel that he is the most honorable and honest person in the business. I mourn the loss of Eight Belles with so many others, but I am happy that she spent her life under the care of Larry.  In that respect, she was a lucky and loved horse.

If I was starting a private stable and could pick any trainer in America to develop my horses - particularly home-bred fillies - I would go after Larry Jones. His frank answers to these questions confirm he is a stand-up, honest man which only enhances his obvious ability as a horse trainer. Mr. Jones is a credit to the sport!

first i respect larry jones, and eight belles was a greAT filly rip,

but i don't think it's right to come down on big brown because of his connections remember horses don't have a choice who owns, trains and rides them, and remember he beat da'tara by 23 lengths before. i predict big brown comes back in the haskell and kicks butt, come on everyone don't kick someone when there down, we sure were for him a couple of weeks ago. america is fickle. go big brown.

Larry Jones is a class act and a breath of fresh air. Here is a trainer who takes care of all of the horses in his care the right way, and isn't afraid of competition. Thanks for answering the questions, Mr. Jones, and also for not ducking the difficult one's.

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when BB comes back to his old self & he can hook Curlin in any race the world will be ready as the tv ratings were through the roof thanks partly to $4.00+ a gal.liquid gold(milk is $5.00+ tax! a gal.+ in Va.)...a lot of younger folks took notice of our sport for the first time & they liked it...lets just put the old in the rear view mirrow & look to a brighter future for our country first & a nose back to our beloved sport of Horse Racing...ALL types...Long Live The King!!!

Racing really combines three things in the best of people:  horsemanship, showmanship, and sportsmanship.  Larry Jones has all three in spades.  I have no idea what his youngsters are like this year but I wish him every joy and I hope to see him in next year's Derby.  To me the real champion of this year's Triple Crown was Eight Belles.  No steroids, all heart and all class.  She achieved and her memory will go on to achieve so much.  I don't doubt that karma had a lot to do with a LaPenta/Zito horse and son of Tiznow winning the Belmont this year.  Larry's turn is coming up.  Good luck, sir!

I like Larry Jones, he is on my level. Handled the Eight Belles and Big Brown topics well. He nailed the topic of Big Brown's connections, I think we were all thinking the same way, I for sure was. Finally a trainer that is there for the horses and not the price tag.

What a wonderful interview from a wonderful man!! I'll always remember Eight Belles as she was for that little fluff piece that they did on her before the Derby.  Larry was riding her and wearing a helmet with a camera and mike, so we got to see footage from her trip around the track.  The part that sticks is when he was asking her to slow down, he didn't just say "Whoa!", he talked to her, and when she didn't listen immediately, he said "Larry to Eight Belles...", and shortly after she did what he asked and was praised when she did with a "That's my girl!". I still get choked up remembering it.

I totally agree with his comments about comparing BB to Secretariat. What a joke!  If BB could run 1 1/4 miles in less than 2 minutes and get close to 2:24 for 1 1/2 miles, THEN we might be making fair comparisons!  Otherwise, don't use BB's name in any sentence that also contains "Secretariat".

Awesome interview!! Larry Jones is the best, love his opinions on the steroid issue and was glad to hear his comments about Rick Dutrow and the others. God bless you, Larry! =)

This was amazing. Thank you Larry for taking the time to answer these questions with Jason. I have ever increasing respect for you and your family and your passion for the sport.

I have the greatest respect for this man. His work with Eight Belles before the Derby, and his work ever since then has been a great example to all of us. He hit all of the points dead on in this interview. Great job.

Thanks Larry for doing this interview! it answered all my questions! sorry for your loss again ]:

MR. JONES, I KNOW YOUR FAMILY HAS ALSO SUFFERED THROUGH THIS LOSS AND PRAY THAT YOU WILL ALL FIND HEALING AND PEACE AS YOU GO FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING THE SPORT OF HORSE RACING SO WELL AND FOR YOUR INTEGRITY IN THE WAY YOU CARE FOR YOUR HORSES.

Let me first start by once again expressing my condolences on the loss of Eight Belles. It took a great deal of courage for Larry Jones and others to face the cameras as soon as they did after that incident. Larry Jones is a class act and we need more of him and less of the Dutrow's in this sport.

I respect the comments from Mr. Jones about his take on the Belmont. I agree that the jock was not to blame as the horse simply wasn't up to it for whatever reason.

I also could not agree more that Big Brown has not faced much in the way of quality competition. That staterment coming from one of the best trainers around only confirms the fact. I believe this is the weakest class of 3 yr. olds to this point that I have seen in many years. It didn't take much to beat up on weak competition.

As for the Belmont Big Brown finished dead last but wasn't eased until he had already been passed by every other in the race. Contrary to what some cannot seem to comprehend (see karen 12 Jun 2008 8:54 PM), that is where he was going to finish even if he had finished without being eased. He was already last and fading fast.

Interesting interview here. I'd like to see more of them in the future.

Thank you for the great interview, Mr. Jones. I wish you very successful year!

I hope Hard Spun will have a good carrier in stud, he fully deserves it

Karen-I wasn't thinking straight when I wrote that--long work day!  You're right, Kent was easing him, although, if you go by what Kent said, he was going to finish last anyway.  Don't know if I believe that myself, since it never seemed like Kent really asked him.  I'm no jockey, though, so maybe he was right.  Like I said before, if BB comes back kicking butt, that's fine with me.  I'm more excited about the next starts for Zenyatta and Magnificience than BB, but knowing this would be his last year racing took a lot of the joy out for me.  I know that not his fault, and maybe I should enjoy him while he's here, but I just prefer to get excited about the ones I can follow for a few years.

I think Larry Jones sounds like a great guy.  I certainly feel for him losing Eight Belles like that.  She was a game filly.

Thank you, Mr. Jones, for showing that there is still class to be found in this sport. You've never acted less than a gentleman in dealing with the press and fans since the Derby, under the most stressful circumstances, and you have my heartfelt admiration. Bless you!

Larry Jones is truly a class act as well as a true horseman. I thought Hard Spun waged one of the toughest Triple Crown campaigns I have ever seen. As for Eight Belles, you rarely see such grit and determination, she will be sorely missed. Steve Haskin's article on Big Brown was 100% on the money. The fault for this debacle falls solely on Rick Dutrow. The horse was not physically or mentally prepared for the Belmont. You cannot win the Triple Crown by hand walking and jogging-no wonder the horse had a meltdown.

As usual, Jones is classy, direct and no-nonsense. I think his comments about not wishing for a TC winner were not the result of having been rubbed the wrong way by Dutrow. I don't think Jones is that petty. He was simply acknowledging that the award is at least partially for the human connections, and that this bunch don't merit alot of joyous celebration. Beyond that he was simply saying that BB doesn't measure up to last year's crop.

As for those who responded by referring to Haskin's article urging us to separate horse from connections: I have no problem doing that (and I don't think Jones does either). I just think the horse was ridiculously hyped, not least by Haskin. haskin had him a lock to win the race, in so many words. Now, after the fact, he is going on record as often as he can saying that he was "concerned" before the race about the light training regimen. Gee, Steve, you might have mentioned it BEFORE the race.

If one clears away all the hype, we are looking at a horse who ran a 109 in the Derby, a 100 in the Preakness, and finished dead last in the Belmont. I am not one to reduce a horse's quality to nothing more than his Beyer Speed Figures. But I think many would agree that they are a pretty standard measuring rod which we can use to make comparisons. I think time will tell the tale--this will come to look like a below average group of three year olds and it will become apparent that BB "looked" better than he actually "was". Put it this way--say this was a better crop and some other, hypothetical, horse had gone into the Preakness as the favorite. Further assume that that horse had also won the Derby with, say, a 112. If our hypothetical horse didn't fire in this hypothetical Preakness, and BB happened to pick up the pieces, and happened to run the same 100 that he did in the actual race, well...would anyone have been hailing him as the second coming of Secretariat???  

Good looking out Jason,great piece.How about a Q&A with D.Wayne Lukas,I'm sure he's got plenty to say.And what if you field some questions from bloggers?..just a thought..

The racing world is now recognizing what some of us have known for years. Larry is one of the best horseman out there, honest as the day is long and a great ambassador for the sport. When I entered the horse business as an owner in the mid 1990's (knowing absolutely nothing about it I might add), I had the good fortune of getting Larry to train our horses. It has been a wonderful partnership over that time and I owe any success we have had in the business to him and his team.

Larry has achieved much success over the past few years on the big stage. However, he is still the same down to earth hard-working cowboy I met for the first time back in 1995. Great job Larry

I'm glad that Larry Jones and the connections of Eight Belles are moving past their grief.  My heart broke when I saw Eight Belles had broken down immediately after the Kentucky Derby, but I do not agree with fillies running against the colts at that age.  It is very unusual for a filly to come out of a race like that without some kind of adverse problems.  Most recently (other than Eight Belles), look at Rags to Riches. Yes, she beat Curlin in the Belmont, but look what it ended up costing her. In her next race, she broke her leg and never raced again. Classically, look at Ruffian, one of the best fillies ever to race.  

Mr. Jones comments about the connections of Eight Belles is correct, except for one. Don't say people did not like Kent Desourmeaux.  I was rooting for him to win because he is a great jockey who loves his mount.  I don't like Dutrow or IEAH but the horse does not choose his trainers or owners.  

Regardless, the best of luck to Mr. Jones and Proud Spell.  She is an amazing filly and I enjoy watching her race.

Way to go, Larry Jones, for giving us proof positive that one can be honest and still be a gentleman.  Eight Belles' human family are not the only ones still mourning her loss.  But I think we all feel better with the passage of time, as well as the optimism that her tragic death will be a catalyst for positive changes in racing.

Also, Larry, you weren't the only fan rooting against a Triple Crown because of the connections, who, as several posters pointed out, are the ones who would get all the glory.  Big Brown was and is a nice horse who gave us some great moments, but what happened in the Belmont, to me, was the work of the racing gods.  Many people in this sport are quite superstitious so I'm sure I'm not alone here.

On a different topic, I think out of all the fine 3-year-olds of 2007, Hard Spun is the one who will prove be the best stud.  I'm not a horse breeder or anything, just going by "intuition" and 10 years of reading Blood-Horse magazine!

Just being a bit picky here.R Dorsey-Rags to Riches did NOT break her leg! Please be accurate when you state things like that.Horse people are sensitive to words like broken leg.

David: It wasn't just Steve who had BB in for a lock for the Belmont. Just check out the triple crown talk blog that you are posting on. Take it to the bank, Big Brown wins the Belmont. Easy on Steve Haskin. He is one of the most well respected and award winning turf writers there is. He is very knowledgable and has years and years of experience. With all due respect to the beyer speed figures, there are many other aspects of a race that needs to be considered. I for one have broken down last years races and BB's races to get an idea of what may have happened with a better crop of three year olds and he looks competetive to me. Of course one will never know, that is only speculation. With that said, BB is what we had this year. You can compare him all day long to the horses of the past but he is in the here and now. If he is the best among a poor crop than so be it. Someone has to be the best of a poor crop, why not BB? I hope he races again. Hopefully his "connections" are using the Belmont disaster as a huge learning tool and now have another side of a horse they will learn how to deal with. Horses are multi-dimensional. Unfortunately this clan didn't seem to realize that.

Pam: I'm with you there regarding Hard Spun. What a great horse. I would have loved to see him mature and race as a 4 year old. Now all we can do is see what he can accomplish in the stud barn. Just like all the rest. Im patiently waiting for Smarty to show us something as well.  He was a little tasmanian devil. I loved him.

Jerkens would make a great interview. I can see it now.

'What did you think of the Belmont?'

'a horse race.'

'Do you have any future stars in your stable?'

'Yes.'

Another top dog in racing who isn't short on class, virtually the opposite of Dutrow as far as big mouths go!

Bravo! Great interview from a stand-up trainer who walks it like he talks it. I can only wish him continued success as Larry is a true horseman who doesn't take "shortcuts".

In a perfect world, the Larry Jones in this business would get the Big Browns to train.

Thank you for the Q and A. We all miss Eight Belles and I also hope that something positive will result from this tragedy.  What a maginificent and regal lady she was!  She will always be remembered with great respect and love.

Larry is great!! I know he is happy doing what he does, but I think he'd be a great commissioner for a national horseracing committee.  

John Servis, Smarty Jones Eight Belles Larry Jones the best .

Is it true that rags to riches

broke her leg did she die i was just reading and article about her

Want another example of class and graciousness among the trainer community? Look at H.G. Motion's comments in the 06/14 Blood Horse re Don Adam's decision to move all twelve of his horse's from the Motion stable to yet another outstanding trainer, Bill Mott. Sure am going to miss Adraino up at Fair Hill-- Motion did a very nice job with him and he is primed for a nice career on the turf with that turn of foot of his no doubt. Could be the next Showing Up.

Speaking of Showing Up, Jason, any idea where he is going to stand now that he has been retired from Barclay Tagg's stable? Understand the Jacksons will retain an ownership stake.

MARY: Rags to Riches fx her leg, it healed, she went back into training and fx it again.  Now she is pregnant I believe.

Nice interview, but I'm not so sure that the jockey should be faulted for pulling the horse up.

It's easy to jump on Kent's case now, hindsight being 20/20 and all and we don't know what Kent's motives really were, but what if something had truly been wrong

with the horse?

Big Brown couldn't win on this day. Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather have him alive and healthy and able to race again than crippled and out of the game forever.

We have had horses in training and in partnership with Larry and Cindy

since his "Off the farm" days and can attest to all the wonderful comments being said as accurate. They are truly deserving and are TRUE HORSEMEN in every sense

Just finally saw the Stephen Foster.  Coming back from Dubai...128 pounds...boxed in behind a slow pace...wins convincingly.  That was beautiful!  I wish I could've been there.

Never been so proud of a family member as I was of "Cuz", the way he took on all questions & kept it together regarding the Derby tragedy. Growing up, all of us who rode together in Hoptown loved our horses, but Larry took his feelings for his horses to a totally different place. He really, really loved his animals. From "Little Man", his 1st pony, to "Beaver", his 1st real good contest gelding, to Eight Belles, an on & on, the passion still exists. And folks, trust me, the home-spun humor, sincere answers, & respect he shows all that approach him is 100% REAL! No put-on here. He's always been like that.  Here's to Larry, Cindy, Corey & the whole darn crew as they just broke $3,000,000 in earnings for 2008 earlier this week. A 24(maybe 25) year overnight sensation!  Go One Pretty Lady.

Curlin ran a great race. He is a spectacular horse. Glad we get to see him as a 4 year old.

Very spiteful comments by Mr Jones in my opinion--notice he trashes the horse along with the trainer--a horse who canters by five from the TWENTY can probably compete with his Hard Spun, who I also thought highly of...Big Brown won Florida Derby in the same fashion--I think he was taken out of his routine, and that hurt his racing mind--NO WAY does he get beat--he wins that by ten with ears pricked--but the gruel of The Triple Crown is one thing--the change in routine, caused by the quarter crack, did him in, I believe--(hope!)---trash the man, maybe--not the horse! Not when 'ya win by five from the TWENTY!!

Just got back from the simulcast at OP and the place was packed to watch Curlin. We love Curlin here and call him one of our own. If this race was another eighth he would have won by 10. What was impressive was that he was boxed in just like Big Brown, but Robby didn't panic and kept him tight to the rail til it was time to move. And boy did he, Robby never touched him.

By the way, what is the matter with Grasshopper, he should have gotten second easily, had him with Curlin and he folded. Not the same horse as he was last year.

GREAT to see Curlin is back! And that Tizdejavu looked awesome today as well--exceptional--both guys--all-in-all, The Belmont was terrible--but there's some pretty good horses around right now, and I can sense a good Fall.....

curlin ran in dubai recently and won!!NO drugs are allowed over there or anywhere else for that matter so curlin is the horse with the most!!larry is a class act,,my own heart still hurts for belles so i can only imagine their pain.he is a model for all trainers to follow.kd did an injustice to racing by pulling up b.b. if the horse was not hurt why??can you imagine anyone of last years jocks pulling up any of the big three because they were tired or didn't like the track?i am sure that they were all tired but they all finished gamely!!now that's racing folks!!

larry jones=class!!he is the model all should follow!!

i cannot believe this man rooted against a TC winner. john servis may be a friend of his but he had no trouble getting servis' horses when porter split with servis. does he not realize how many people were so disappointed to not see a TC winner?? just because he doesn't like the 'connections' he doesn't want something as desperately needed in the sport as a TC champion and something to feel good about? sorry larry but most of america would have loved to see a TC winner and do not care about your infighting and who trains who-some ACTUALLY care more about the horses than the people involved-look at Curlin and how good it feels to still see a horse of his caliber run--anyone hear the huge ovation he got and last time i checked he had some very questionable connections last year while larry jones was ditching his jockey publicly and then not letting gomez off and then dissing gomez--class he isn't!

This trainer comes off as someone who is desperate to win a triple crown race.  Just missing last year with Hard Spun had to be tough. I truly believe he entered the filly because he wants so deperately to win the derby,  AND not because he planned and mapped this out when he began training her.  He wants a derby win bad.

Wonderful interview of a fine trainer and true gentleman of the racing world.  Unfortunately, a TC winner includes the horse's connections, whether fans want to acknowledge the reality of this fact or not. These days, the TC represents much more than just the horse.  BB is a very good racehorse.  No question about that.  It is unfortunate that his trainer's interviews were so abrasive and egocentric in nature.  Not knowing anything of Dutrow until he appeared in print, I was concerned that this gentleman would be a representative of the sport as a TC winning trainer.  His 'honesty' is not one that everyone finds admirable.  As many have said, the horse is not to blame.  Yet someone like Penny Chenery with her Secretariat is a much finer representative of a TC winner's connections.  There were and are many great trainers in the racing world.  Yet there has been a TC drought for 30 years.  Luck, karma, training, deservability, God, if you will, in the end, until a TC is again achieved, we'll probably continue to speculate. In the meantime, I prefer that our children find heroes in the racing indistry who represent more than just 'bragging rights.'  Condolences to Larry Jones and his great filly.  Thank you also for a solid and praiseworthy interview.    

Larry is obviously a great horseman and a great person. We are very lucky to have him as a trainer and he is an excellent ambassador for the sport of horse racing.

Larry is so right on in everything he said.  I looked again today at the PP's from this year and last year's Derby, and Big Brown's trainer should do the same.  No comparison.

My heart goes out to all of Eight Belle's connections.  Larry was absolutely right in running her in the Derby.  Remember Winning Colors?

Larry is so right on in everything he said.  I looked again today at the PP's from this year and last year's Derby, and Big Brown's trainer should do the same.  No comparison.

My heart goes out to all of Eight Belle's connections.  Larry was absolutely right in running her in the Derby.  Remember Winning Colors?

Why all of this misinformation about Rags To Riches? She was retired this spring after reinjuring her leg (hairline fracture). She is now at Ashford Stud & in foal to Giant's Causeway. She is NOT dead! Long live the Queen of Belmont!

Hey to Cuz Back Home in Hoptown-- until Larry Jones came along, Hoptown was best known to me as the hometown of another classic good guy and straightshooter, College Football Hall of Fame Coach Jerry Claiborne. Coach took over an undisciplined bunch at College Park, MD  my sophomore year (1972) and made the Terps an instant winner and ACC power, before returning home to the SEC and UK in 1981 to restore the pride and winning ways at his alma mater's program at Lexington(where he played for Bear Bryant). So, is it something in the water in Hoptown, or just what is the secret? You grow 'em  up right, that's for sure :-)

I was lucky enough to see Spectacular Bid demolish the great Flying Paster in the Strub--'Paster had this monster kick at middle distances---The Bid was just from another planet---Big Brown reminded me of Bid, and Bud, and Shoe, oh: The Great Shoe, on The Bid, turning for home.....Big Brown reminded me of that horse, that greatest horse--their moves were that alike...would like to see a Curlin v Big Brown v Heatseeker three mil race carded, say, at Arlington, say, early Sept...say Brownie gets a 10 lb break...otherwise SCALE vs Curlin in a winner take all match, say, Monmouth, say, three mil....say, PLEASE!! Like I say I know what I saw in The Bid--I think I saw it several times in Brownie.....

Its good to know the industry is finally taking the horse's safety serious. Eight Belles death was tragic but with tragedy comes hope. I am thrilled with the steps being made. Especially calling for the ban of anabolic steroids in training and racing! AMEN! We are moving in the right direction.

BlueCollar-- could not disagree with you more: Larry Jones to me comes off as a horseman who respects the institution of racing and the Triple Crown series in particular.

As for wanting to win that first leg in particular, you bet: as a KY native he understands as well as any and better than most what this signature accomplishment means. Would he EVER place his ambitions ahead of the welfare of the horse? Let his quarter century track record answer that question.

What he saw in entering Eight Belles was a big, strong and willing girl who would not back down against the boys, in what looked to be a comparatively weak crop of 3 YO's. Frankly, Larry has a 6th sense when it comes to fillies, and is likely the best in this category since D. Wayne Lukas (who he consulted with prior to entering Eight Belles.

I did not pick her to win, and in fact posted that if she ran in the Oaks she would be the second-best horse in that race, but dang if she didn't perform just as Larry thought she would in the Derby. Rest in Peace, Sweetie-- you died doing what you were clearly bred to do, and you did it with excellence, just like your trainer.

Lance, A friend told me to read your post,knew it would chap my hide. You said you wanted an answer, no you didn't or you wouldn't have waited until a day after the last post on here. Well I'm going to give you the answer you may not want. Yes we love our horses, if we didn't we wouldn't be up and at the barn at 4 a.m. and stay til 10pm and start all over again the next day, work 7 days a week and not take a vacation for 30-40 years. Do you put that much time in at your job, yes it's a job but you have to love horses to keep doing it because a lot of the people doing it now, have degrees and other options, like physiatrists, lawyers and so on. As far as Wayne, a lot of his peers have beat him up over the years for being corporate. In his prime he had a lot of horses just like Todd and Asmussen and numbers like that inflate the number of breakdowns. My guess is you had a horse once, maybe at a harness track and when you weren't a bigshot got alienated. Yes there are scumbags in every field, like the embezzlers, thiefs and abusive employers who work their human employees to death. I've known Wayne for years and he is always one of the first at the barn and at his age still works dang hard. You really think you could've done what he did with Klein, a lot of others have tried with owners richer, Sheik Mohammed for example and haven't been near as successful. Plus he was making around 50 grand for motivational speaking, could've switched to that and kept a lot of the money he spent on buying horses, feed etc which we all do and barely come out even. Yes some guys have had long suspensions I won't mention names but Wayne hasn't and he's been under the microscope for years, a few incidentals which could happen from training meds, which are still legal.  The other thing is Wayne and a lot of us like him treat our horses better than you probably treat your kids.And you know, if that's your real name, not too smart there are still libel and slander laws in this country, because a lot of us take offense at being categorized as using illegal drugs when we don't.

Thank you Mr Jones for giving racing fans so much.  You gave us an incredible filly who raced her heart out.  You have been dignified and gracious with the media, leading the way for racing fans to heal the wound that Belles' passing caused.  You are a role model for our sport.  Thank you!

 to atthebarn,

your guess is incorrect. i have been involved with "thoroughbreds since 1978  and for almost 25 years, i have had as many as 13 horses on my property and in my care.

i raised seven "thoroughbred" foals to adulthood and when their careers were finished, they came back home, which is an unlikely eventuality for most race horses.

you made a comment that i was probably a disgruntled harness horse owner who did not achieve any success in racing, but that goes to show you how ignorant people can be.

i have never judged success in terms of how much money horses made for me over the years and it was always very exciting to stand in the winner's circle, but that part has always been secondary to me.

you talk of the long days you spend at the barn. my advice to you is to get a job. i worked at a job all of these years and worked at home also. my days off consisted of nothing, but work and i haven't taken any vacations either

i know what it is like to break ice out of buckets at 5 in the morning when it is twenty below zero or to unload seven hundred bales of hay at one time. dang, it's hard work, but nobody told me to do it.

as for using my real name, why not?

it is a free country and i served this country for three years, so i believe that i have a voice in what matters to me.

i don't even know who you are, because you choose to remain anonymous and that is your privilege, but i stand behind what i say. now, if if i stated that atthebarn used illegal drugs on horses, that is a horse of another color. i cannot do that, because i have no knowledge of you whatsoever

and what you do or don't do.

in reality, that makes me pretty smart instead of not so smart as you have labelled me .in fact, i am better than pretty smart, because my i.q. is 132 and i use it.

in conclusion, you if you are involved in this business of racing 365 days a year, you are more familiar with the problems than i am.

however, you are not willing to admit that the use of lasix is basically inconsequential and that bute can cause hemorrhage in horses just like aspirin can in humans.

also, the use of anabolic steroids is rampant. look what the drug does to humans, but of course, it doesn't harm young horses whose systems are still developing, not even thinking of what it does long term.

i urge you to disprove my statements about "legal drugs." maybe then we can dicuss our mutual love and dedication to the horse.

I am writing in reference to Atthebarn's rebuttal of lance guranovich. You must really think the people who post here truly ignorant to believe that fairy tale about you being at the barn at 4 A.M. and staying there till 10 P.M. First of all I doubt that you ever get there at 4 A.M. (probably 5:30 A.M. at the earliest)and you are probably finished by 11:00 A.M. unless you are running something that day at which you will leave and go relax somewhere until race time. The only other thing you need to be concerned with is the evening feed  (around 5:30 P.M.) which most trainers have the grooms or assistants take care of. Another joke is the "I barely break even" line that all trainers use along with "I have to pay for workmens comp". Guess what? All employers carry workmen's comp and I know the game you trainers play about paying cash and listing employees as independent contractors. You are correct when you say "Wayne hasn't been under the microscope for years" I will also tell you his stats fell off the table since he has gone "straight". You try to justify your $70+ a day by saying you treat your horses better than someone treats their kids and you charge more for taking care of a horse than you guys are willing to pay for child support. Before you practice law you better understand what constitutes libel. As a public figure he can state his opinion freely about "Wayne" and as for yourself, you don't have the courage to leave your real name. By the way, I know lance and it is his real name.

Lance, sorry but I also noticed Atthebarn had a comment on one of the other blogs on BH that went into great detail about steroids efficacy, contraindications and possible side effects. Seemed very anti-drug, maybe one of the old timers still trying to train on oats, water and hay. I also noticed that Mr. Lukas has some 2 year olds just starting to run and was interested to see that none of his first time starters run on lasix.

DocFarmer, I can see you ar a another trainer spinning your faitytales. Give me the name of one trainer you know that is at the track at 4AM and leaves at 10PM 7 days a week for 35+ years and I will call you a liar. I have been around anf know lots of people in this industry and you know that is a bunck of BS. I also know you do not work 18 hours a day every day. If you have been involved in this business or your family has, you no it is hard work and you know that my description is more the norm than Atthebarns or your decription. Give me the name of the $20 a day trainer and I will get her lots of business if she half way knows what she is doing. I pay workman's comp premium for iron workers, which is a higher rate per$100 than any job at the track. Give me the name of your state and the salary you pay (which is subject it premium audit) and I will tell you what you are paying in workmens comp. If you want to talk about sacrifice and duty to country I could make your head spin. Lets be honest here and call a spade a spade, most trainers (majority) have cheated.

Tutu, If you have been around maybe you should stop being 'around' and learn to READ

I said I loved horse racing and was involved when I was very young. I worked as an assistant trainer right after I got my undergraduate degree (the trainer I worked for gave one of his horses a horse aspirin, but that was in the day when NOTHING was legal) but having a higher IQ than your buddy Lance, I was 'encouraged' to go forward and being under 21 at the time I graduated I agreed. I SAID I work 18 hours a day in my profession which requires an advanced degree and we are an up and coming practice and anyone who has ever been involved in an expanding business knows it takes a lot of extra hours,one of my co workers told me I'm working too many hours but emailed me that at 1a.m. this morning when I was finishing up a project, getting ready to start on more charting. I work with the horses here on our farm in my spare time, that's why I posted at 5:20 a.m. my time I was working on the computer.  I will talk to the young lady and see if she wants her name out there, she is an excellent horsewoman an exercise rider, rodeo star and her dad was the same. She has 24 horses and does it all on her own plus has a small child. I told her Dad she should get on with a trainer as an assistant because she is very talented and that is a lot of work for one person, but kids want to do things their way. Also I really don't think I would want you to hook her up with anyone since you in your vast knowledge of the race track already 'know' all trainers cheat. I know a lot who never did, some are dead now and some still living but you don't warrant any further justification I do not need you to tell me anything about calculating work comp, that's why we have a CPA. If you are in California then you may pay as much as they do at the track, the figures have been published on how much it costs in WC in CA and it is higher than anywhere else in the country. I personally don't think you have any affilitation with anything at the race track or ever have had, but that is speculation on my part. You did the same thing with my post that you did with Atthebarn, read what you thought you saw and interpreted the rest. You couldn't tell me anything about duty to country thatI haven't heard about or seen. When I was of that age, they didn't really take women and a health condition would have excluded me anyway.  In addition to my dad, all of his brothers were in the military. As were my brothers, one a Green Beret during Viet Nam. I was giving you and Lance my observations from someone who doesn't know Atthebarn and have only met some of the others a few times, many years ago. I do know that Mr. Lukas was the first to offer profit sharing, I read it in a Blood Horse article. My point was, why are you even on a website that is dedicated to horse racing, in your demanding world of telling every one else what's wrong with them and how to handle their lives I would think you are far too busy.

Dear Mr. TUTU.

Please let me tell you that there are a lot of folks who do work 18 hours a day, work two jobs or telecommute and then take care of children, elderly parents,animals or their farms. If you've ever worked on a farm or a ranch you'll know that it is a long day from sun up to sundown then come in and cook, take care of the bookwork, clean the house and so on. I think you need to re read what you write and actually read what the other people write in their commentary. You contradicted yourself by saying the person knows what hard work racing is then said they don't work. They also said they work their job, (not horse racing related for 18 hours) and then take care of their farm and horses. If you are going to be mean to people, read what they are telling you first. Also, most of us that read the bloodhorse.com love horse racing. That is my vacation, to take a day and go watch the beauty of it, not betting, can't afford to. We love to read all the varying opinions and the passion of the people who love the sport. We don't want to come on and read the self righteous views of the likes of you who just want to call people liars without even knowing them or their circumstances. This was a nice article on Mr. Jones and his insight. It wasn't a forum for your views on how every body is a liar and if you don't agree with the man you can state that but you and your friend related stories about folks you don't even know. I prefer the arguing about who is the best horse ever to this nonsense and Jason, I wish you could moderate this type of thing off the comments. Thank you.

Tutu, I'm up working. You asked my state maybe I can get your phone # so I can call you and report how the work is going. I see you are now going after someone who defended me,like you went after me when I defended Atthebarn. Was my post too comprehensive for you to read? Never have so many known so little about so many subjects that they are clueless about. You like one other who posts on these blogs, knows everything about everything. How many farms have you worked on? Obviously none. we have horses and grow alfalfa and Sudan, occasionally some wheat or oats. Those crops grow and are cut multiple times a year. We plant, fertilize and water and they are planted on three different parcels of acreage so they all need to be watered, cut, raked, baled and hauled in at different times or we'd be dead trying to do them all at once 600-800 bales on each.One 15 acre field (#4) finally leased to the dairy folks as we're all getting older and it's nearly too much in addition to our real jobs. I personally want to sell and get that 150,000 an acre but Dad says they don't make any more land and we are just 25 miles from a pretty big city. Oh and we also have 1 1/2 acre veggie garden, fruit trees and we also plant winter wheat after the 5-6 cuttings we get up through November sometimes early December. Well now I'll go back to my work for 3 more hours, 2 hours of sleep since i spent too much time with the sick mare today and a bawling niece upset about the mare.

Tutu,

I have been away a few days and was very surprised to see your posts.  Why are you attacking people and calling them liars?  You don't know how many hours they work nor when they get there.  I know for a fact that Charlie Whittingham got to the track at 4AM because he invited me to his barn anytime after that hour.  As a matter of fact, why do you eve