Set the easily-swayed straight about Racing

[Kasept]

Posted this in the 'Frustration' thread, but thought to use it as a threadstarter as well given that some of us are being confronted by friends, etc., who don't understand what goes on in racing and are being duped.

They might understand it more if we were led by industry officials presenting a unified voice in response to the inane critiques, and were on the proactive offensive here. As usual, they aren't.

A few numbers from the 1996/2005 economic impact studies of the American Horse Council:

$112 Billion -- Racing's overall contribution to the GDP

$25 Billion -- Racing's Direct Value of Goods & Services

$1.9 Billion -- Taxes/Fees generated for Federal, State & Local Govt's.

1.4 Million -- Employed full time by Racing and Racing-related industries

And we have to listen on TV and radio as ignorant buffoons are allowed to relate Thoroughbred Racing to dog and cock fighting?

This is a huge industry. It is the progenerator of ALL GAMING IN THIS COUNTRY as well.. Stand up for it because the permissiveness being allowed to run rampant and roughshod over the game right now is outrageous.

[justindew]

If it was Big Truck who went down instead of the filly, would any of this be happening?

[HaloWishingwell]

Probably so. I don't think it mattered about the sex of the animal. PETA took the advantage of the media coverage of the breakdown and the national stage of the Derby.

[justindew]

Originally Posted by HaloWishingwell

Probably so. I don't think it mattered about the sex of the animal. PETA took the advantage of the media coverage of the breakdown and the national stage of the Derby.

Maybe PETA still would have acted in an opportunistic fashion, but I doubt the story would be drawing as much attention.

[Kasept]

As I mentioned elsewhere, isn't it odd that those so concerned about the welfare of horses had not a word to say about the 2 that died at the Rolex 3 day event the previous weekend? 50+ competitors.. 2 dead. Not a peep.

[HaloWishingwell]

Originally Posted by justindew

Maybe PETA still would have acted in an opportunistic fashion, but I doubt the story would be drawing as much attention.

PETA needs the slightest opening and they would jump on the opportunity. Not to criticize NBC handling of the matter and not to disrespect EIGHT BELLES but BIG BROWN'S win was pushed aside for a good amount of time after he crossed the finish line. The whole attention was now on the injured filly, the ambulance coming to her, replays of her race, her gallop out and the replays were clear. It was enough coverage to make them come out of the woods.

The white Randy Moss was on Sportscenter and said whips should be removed from racing. This is one of the most ridiculous ideas I've ever heard from a racing expert. I'm not going to go into the reasons why it's ridiculous because it should be painfully obvious to anyone who watches races on a regular basis.

[ShadowRoll]

As a diversionary tactic, I think we ought to start a campaign to ban NASCAR. That sport has got to be much more dangerous than horseracing, and NASCAR fans are much easier to make fun of.

But, seriously...thanks, Steve, for your usual reasoned and yet passionate response to yet another issue threatening the sport we love.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by ShadowRoll

As a diversionary tactic, I think we ought to start a campaign to ban NASCAR. That sport has got to be much more dangerous than horseracing, and NASCAR fans are much easier to make fun of.

But, seriously...thanks, Steve, for your usual reasoned and yet passionate response to yet another issue threatening the sport we love.

Not to mention all of the gasoline used! If we could somehow roll this outrage over NASCAR way, that'd be great.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Kasept

They might understand it more if we were led by industry officials presenting a unified voice in response to the inane critiques, and were on the proactive offensive here. As usual, they aren't.

That is, of course, a good point.

PETA loves nothing more that to use shock value to make their points.

I understand your thoughts on the financial side.... personally though I'm using the more emotional approach with the people in my life who are questioning the cruelty of the sport.

What's working for me is to explain the many retirement foundations, the charities, how well these horses are cared for, how this is their job and that's a good thing, about heart..... stuff like that.

I've managed to change the perception of a few anyway...

[sumitas]

This is a circle the wagons thread. Kinda reminds me of that cult down in Texas.

I am thankful for the Californias and Keenelands of this world and even PETA and ESPN to bring long long needed improvements to this sport.

The issue is Eight Belles and the KD and horse racing in general. The issue is not PETA.

[HaloWishingwell]

[i]Would anyone here be upset with PETA if they were strictly going after the medicating of the horses? Would this help with the breeding? Would we get strictly healthy horses on track?Or would cripple horses be sent to the track anyway by desperate trainers and/or owners?I]

[Riot]

In England, the breakdown rate is just about the same as the US on the flat (mostly turf racing).

In Australia, it's about half of England and the U.S. rate (flat, turf)

[sumitas]

I'd say there is room for improvement .

I rest my case.

[Riot]

There is always room for improvement. The point was to compare the breakdown rates from countries with different legal drug use laws.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by sumitas

I'd say there is room for improvement .

I rest my case.

Can you name 5 initiatives that have been undertaken within the past 20 years with the goal of making horseracing safer?

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by sumitas

I rest my case.

I doubt it.

--Dunbar

[sumitas]

I'm more interested in any initiatives now to make horse racing safer.

LOL, I rest my case.

[parsixfarms]

My intent is not to start a conversation on the merits of synthetic versus conventional dirt surfaces, but in light of this weekend's events, maybe it's not such a bad thing (from a PR perspective) to have the Breeders' Cup being contested this year over a synthetic racing surface (assuming that's the way SA goes).

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

The white Randy Moss was on Sportscenter and said whips should be removed from racing. This is one of the most ridiculous ideas I've ever heard from a racing expert. I'm not going to go into the reasons why it's ridiculous because it should be painfully obvious to anyone who watches races on a regular basis.

Okay, I'll bite. Why is it ridiculous?

I'm not saying it's a good idea. But I don't see it as ridiculous. Is there a valid reason we need horses being whipped for the game to be interesting?

--Dunbar