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News

NTRA Responds to the Eight Belles Incident

I had an e-mail with a link to a blog by the president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA).  What I love most are some of the comments.

I know nothing about hores except I love to watch them run, grazing in
the pasture, their special smell, their powerfull look, and sounds,
touch them, look at them straight in the eye to eye and wonder what
they must be thinking. I would wounder about their bone structure and
what changes have come about through breeding.

Really?  Why are you bothering to leave a comment at all?

I have one more comment in regards to the kentucky derby fatality. Like
i staed earlier in my comment fatalities are a big part of racing. If
you don’t have the heart of racing in your blood then i say to you stay
the hell out of this sport, these horses have more courage than many of
you trying to ruin this sport. I dont’ know how the fatalities are in
europe and other countries who race only on turf, but maybe we should
look into it to see if we can cut down on these injuries by by going
all turf also and no distance farther than one and one quarter miles so
horses don’t have to go so fast to the first turn. As i stated earlier
if you can’t stand the heat stay out out the track.greedy owners are
the worst only stupid ones run against colts.If you people keep trying
to change this sport you will only ruin it like the gov is ruinnig the
good old usa.
Sal
modesto,ca
I LOVE HORSE RACING LEAVE IT ALONE YOU WEEKEND WARRIORS.

Because, yes, as we all know, trying to make sure the horses don’t have to be euthanized on the track is a terrible thing.  It’s not a serious race until someone has to be put down. 

I love how the Innernet just brings out the best in everyone.  

Categories
Personal

And So Goes Another Derby

Yesterday’s Derby party was a fun time, as parties in Sparta usually
are.  The typical cast of characters was there until later in the
evening, and there was even some live entertainment and dancing
courtesy of one of my uncle’s friends who is a pretty good piano player.

As far as the race itself goes, Big Brown, the expected favorite, won the race
Though the sad part was the filly, Eight Belles, came in second but was
euthanized immediately after the rest because she broke both front
ankles.  Of course, given the rather sleazy underside to thoroughbred
racing in the US, it’s sadly not a surprise.

P.S. At any rate I did win my bets.  Thank you Beyer figures.

Update: A NY Times article on Eight Belles and another aspect of the debate on safety in horse-racing.

Categories
Personal

Kentucky Derby

Today is the Kentucky Derby, perhaps the largest social event of the year at my cousins’ house in Sparta.  So it’s off to the races for me today.