3/4/2025
ThoroughbredZone asks why? Why was Just Le Facts brought back to race on only 3 days rest after doubts he was fit to run on February 28th in the first place? He was back Sunday, March 2nd for the bottom level-claiming price of $7,500 in Aqueducts Race 9. Why was he on the racetrack period? And another interesting question is why was he shipped to New York after being eased in his two previous starts at Philadelphia Park. Lets take a quick look at why we ask.
Recently Just Le Facts failed to finish two races he was in at Philadelphia Park, both times being eased. Equibase had put “Broke Down” in the comments, but later changed that to eased after finding out he would be able to run in New York. He worked well enough for New York track vets to let him run on the 28th where he finished dead last in a 16G Claimer. He sported two quick works. Regardless of this, one would have to doubt all involved as to why you would bring him back, a 9-year-old horse on 3 days rest that has obvious physical issues and was recently eased in back to back starts? And then runs last just 3 days ago? Why would a trainer put a horse and a jockey at risk in this situation, and why would the NYRA permit this to happen? Why would a jockey even want to ride this horse considering the circumstances?
At one time Just Le Facts was a decent claimer and allowance horse at Monmouth Park, who won his share of races, a solid campaigner under the care of Dennis Manning at the time. Just Le Facts won the Grade III $100,000 Red Bank on May 23,2025 in an off the turf event in front running style at Monmouth Park. Oddly enough the win was off a 10-month layoff. The Red Bank win was later down graded to a non-graded event. That was 5 years ago. Considering he is a 9 year old who has only raced 37 times. That’s a little over 5 starts per year since racing age. Also indicating physical issues. Since then he has been going downward all the way to New York’s bottom barrel level of 7.5G. Trainer Osvadlo Rojas and the owners Finish Line Farms saw fit to run him on 3 days rest despite all these disturbing facts. Not considering the well being of the horse, jockey and the rest of jockeys and horses in the race.
Needless to say he did cross the finish line, next to last. He ran poorly as expected. The public was also bamboozled here. This is a situation that should not have occurred. The public also is a victim of this poor decision on NYRA’s part to permit this horse to run back on the 3 days rest or maybe to run at all. People did play this horse. The NYRA needs to protect the player as well here. This horse had no reasonable chance to even be competitive in this race. Again why would he be permitted to race? Just Le Facts best days are well behind him. He needs a new home on a farm. He earned his stripes a racehorse in his long career. He deserves better then this. The betting public also deserves better. The NYRA and everyone involved in thoroughbred racing needs to examine this particular situation.
The NYRA is widely considered the best racing entity in the country by many. The winter Aqueduct inner meet usually attracts the lesser quality of horses this time of year. The top operations head to Florida or elsewhere and return when it gets warmer. As the leading racing operation in the country that prides itself on a top-notch quality product, this move seems to go against what the NYRA represents. The public was subjected to an entry that was a question mark to finish the race, let alone be a contender. Astute handicappers were aware of the situation and could see his running lines in where he failed to finish those races at Philadelphia Park. There was also a write up in the New York Post about him. Is there a possibility that Philadelphia Park would not permit Just Le Facts to run? I think there is a strong probability that they gave him a no go. And we can see why.
Another thing the public is unaware of, most of the time that the ThoroughbredZone has been a long time proponent of is what exact type of physical issue does a horse have, or for that matter any horse that might have an issue that is entered to run. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a line for comments as to exactly what type of physical condition a horse might have, if any? For example after a horse was eased in his last race, wouldn’t it be a good idea for the public to know what exactly the reason was? I think it would be a very important from the betting perspective. Does a horse have a breathing issue, a leg issue or any type of physical impediment? We assume depending on the type of race it is, they do. I would like a more descript explanation of the problem. When it comes to this, the public knows nothing, unless they are privy to inside information. And most of us are not. This is something we should know. The NTRA should look into this matter if you ask us.
We understand that there are horses all over the country that do have physical issues and are on the track. We are not naïve. Cheaper older claimers are not always in the best racing shape. And the ThoroughbredZone is no way on a campaign against these older warriors. They are the backbone of what racing is today in the United States as they make up a large part of racing cards across the country at all types of tracks. I’m the biggest believer if a horse is fit and race ready, regardless of age, they should be permitted to run. Evening Attire is a good example of an older warrior who still is competitive and a winner at age 10. And there are many other oldies but goodies out there that continue to be competitive despite their older age.
That’s part of the game, but this was a well-known situation where a horse is known to have some big problems. Just Le Facts will probably be back on the track somewhere. He could be back in New York in the not too distant future, or fall into obscurity like so many others at the smaller venues such as Penn National, Finger Lakes or Charles Town. I would hope to think he is retired for the good of everyone. And for the well being of Just Le Facts. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. It would be a great story if he was retired and happy somewhere. Horseracing is not all glamour and glitz. It’s not just the Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup. This is the side many don’t see or like, but the fact is this is a part of our sport we must accept and deal with. We all know Just Le Facts is not right. Including the connections. Wouldn’t be wise not to subject everyone involved to the consequences of something bad happening? Why run those risks when they don’t have to? It makes reasonable sense if you ask us. Its always easier said then done. I hope the right thing is done here. So far it has not.
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