Horse Racing Gets a Bad Rap Too Often

By: Greg Melikov

The Sport of Kings always gets a bad rap after a death on the racetrack. Criticism often comes from those that have no idea how the thoroughbred industry operates.

The latest chapter in the blame game involves the unfortunate demise of Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby after running a valiant second, then collapsing on the Churchill Downs main track and having to be euthanized.

The salvos that fired soon after the tragedy were many: Fillies shouldn’t race against males, Eight Belles must have been on steroids, it’s a money hungry industry with no regard for the horses, etc.

Well, fillies and mares have raced against their male counterparts across the Atlantic for years and have done quite well. Tests proved Eight Belles wasn’t racing with steroids when she broke down in the Kentucky Derby after finishing second to Big Brown. And most owners and trainers of thoroughbreds would never think of throwing them to the wolves.

Several of my readers commented on the Eight Belles tragedy and were quite compassionate.

“I wanted to see a filly win,” wrote Marsha. “But the worst happened. It was not the owner’s, trainer or jockey’s fault. The old saying, ‘S— Happens.’ It did. A racehorse, with a big heart, broke her legs. Yea, fillies may not be as strong as a stallion, but look at women – we aren’t either, but we get the job done. RIP Eight Belles. You did a wonderful job!”

“There is no reason why fillies can’t or shouldn’t race in the Kentucky Derby,” Connie observed. “However, fate has happened as it could have happened to any of the other horses, as we have seen in the past such as Barbaro. But everything happens for a reason. My heart goes out to her trainers, owners and everyone she has touched in her short life. God Bless!”

“She was a great athlete – she beat all but one of the boys,” Warren remarked. “I wept when I heard of her demise. I agree with some of the others it was an unfortunate accident”

Now Congress has decided to poke its nose into horse racing, just like it recently did concerning steroids in pro baseball and team spying in the National Football League.

However, racing is attempting to correct such issues as drugged horses, catastrophic breakdowns and injured thoroughbreds with nowhere to go.

Alan Marzelli, president of The Jockey Club whose Thoroughbred Safety Committee recently issued recommendations to correct the problems, said he would like to see an industry-led central body for racing, not federal intervention.

On Monday, IEAH Stables, which owns Big Brown, told BloodHorse.com its horses would race without any medication except Lasix starting Oct. 1. Several horses are bleeders, trainer Rick Dutrow explained, and require Lasix to run.

“We’re beginning Oct. 1,” IEAH co-president Mike Iavarone said, “because the horses should be clear of all substances by that time. In addition, we are willing to allow racetracks to do pre- and post-race testing on all our horses, and we will pay all expenses.

Iavarone said he feels it’s time for someone to step up and take drastic action – and he challenged all owners to follow suit.

Several of my readers recently suggested withholding steroids from Big Brown after he won the Preakness was one reason the 3-year-old performed badly in the Belmont.

“I think the poor horse was not used to running without steroids (Winstrol),” Paula Marie wrote. “It does not mean he’s not a great racehorse. But since Winstrol is legal, he should’ve probably stayed on that until after this major race. It may have been too hard on him physically because he was used to running on the steroid. I’m definitely against the use of steroids without a medical cause, but the time may have been too soon to get off of Winstrol.”

“People forget that horses aren’t machine,” Fred said. “They’re animals – living, breathing creatures that have moods just like anyone else. He was just having an off day.”

“I believe it was Big Brown’s way of saying ‘enough already,” Pamela commented. “His hoof may have been sore, it was treacherously hot and he may have just not felt like performing. Good for him. I think the jockey did the right thing when he eased Big Brown up. I’m just glad we didn’t see another speeding ambulance out on the track and another tragedy.”

Big Brown can bounce back in the Haskell at Monmouth Park on Aug. 3. I believe he will.

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Greg Melikov, a native Chicagoan and retired South Florida newspaperman who resides in Greater San Antonio, has been handicapping and writing about thoroughbreds for decades. His articles and columns appear globally in print and online, including on his own site: www.horsingaround.info. He became a racing fan at 13 when he saw 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation whip 20 older horses at old Arlington Park. He can be contacted at gmelikov@satx.rr.com.

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4 Comments

  1. I hope Big Brown will bounce back on August 3 also. More importantly, I just hope he will be healthy and safe on the track. Ditto for all the horses racing. I am sick that now two more horses were euthanized at Churchill Downs last week. Of course, you will never see it on their website. They would rather help you plan your next party or event at their facility!

    Comment by Pamela Harp-Gentry on June 23, 2008

  2. If humans who race were as prone to breaking their leg as horses are, and then had to be put down as horses are, humans would not be allowed to race.
    I can’t believe that this so-called sport is even allowed in our society. Racing horses is not a sport unless the horses choose to race, choose the place and time, etc. without human input. Horses are FORCED to race, and are discarded like so much garbage if they break down. Even if they don’t break down, a poor performance can mean they will be sold to a kill buyer who will then ship them off to Canada, Mexico, or Japan for a horrifying slaughter. More people need to wake up and STOP horse racing. Period.

    Comment by June K. on June 24, 2008

  3. Greg - I agree with much of what yoiu wrote -I am a Former Race Horse Owner -And i appreciated your comments in the Article- i too think he will bounce back - and was just having a horrific off day –and horse owners everywhere should follow the Take Action (no steriods) that the Owners are taking - and i think in regard to “the facts” you made some good points The public - is just not stopping to Realize that BIG BROWN WAS THE ONLY HORSE TO RACE ALL 3 LEGS -of the Triple Crown - it is a Marathon of Sorts and only The Few - The Proud - and The BRAVE run in all 3 legs - he had an opportunity to make history - the Owners/Trainer made a grim mistake in not caculating the shock to his system that the Combination of taking him off steriods, resting him was important - but more importantly not at least lightly exercising him more -(to climatize to the HEAT) -these horses are babies - they are just coming into to the Racing world and they only can run in these races as 3 yr olds - they don’t get a Mulligan - a “do-Over -this is it– so Don’t take away what he did Accomplish - he is A KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER OVER a huge field - when people said he would not be able to overcome the OUTSIDE POST -WAS TOO LIGHTLY RACED -AND ON - AND ON -he not only DID WIN - HE CAPTIVATED AMERICA - AND DID AGAIN IN the Bekmont - LET IT REST AT THAT –LOOK AT THE RECORD BOOKS - MANY OTHER HORSES RAN AND WON 2 OUT OF THE 3 AND COULDN’T CAPTURE THE TITLE - LOOK WHAT HE DID !! NOT WHAT HE (DIDN’T DO) –AND GET ON WITH IT - and Miss June. horses Forced to Race - please ! these horse love to Race - it is in there blood - and bloodlines and is part of history - just like JUMPERS AND FOX HUNTS AND CAR RACING - AND ACCIDENTS WILL AND SHALL HAPPEN- i do not like the after math of horses passing - but your Soap Box is Worn, are they to stop the Horse Shows, Fox hunts , Rodeo ? the Circus ? they all have accidents –it’s part of culture & history (Save the World with something much more important please )–greenpeace - emmissions - world hunger –

    Comment by janet carney on June 24, 2008

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