I’m Not Barbaro, for Lots of Reasons

[ceejay]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/we...f=weekinreview
By GINA RARICK
Published: February 4, 2007

The rate of fatal accidents on racetracks in the United States is about 1.5 per 1,000 starts, according to David Nunamaker, professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, where Barbaro was treated. That may not sound alarming, but consider it this way: Last season at Arlington Park outside of Chicago, 21 horses died on the racetrack over three and a half months. In California, Del Mar’s summer season was marred by 16 fatalities. By contrast, in Hong Kong, fatalities are 0.58 per 1,000 starts — which translates into the deaths of 26 horses over the last five years. In England, the rate is 0.65 per 1,000 starts.
...
But while there is anecdotal evidence of fewer injuries on polytracks, it’s too early to declare the surface the solution.
...
Differences in training and breeding are part of the reason. Horses in Europe generally are not trained at racecourses, but in private yards and training centers. They are often ridden miles every day, over different types of surfaces. And breeders are looking for soundness and stamina rather than precocious speed.

Gary Stevens, the retired champion jockey who rode briefly in France a few years ago (and acted in “Seabiscuit”), told me then that he had no idea how tough thoroughbreds could be until he came here.

...
There’s another big difference between the United States and much of the rest of the racing world: medication. Horses racing in America are allowed to be injected with various drugs on race day, the most common being Lasix, a powerful diuretic, and phenylbutazone, an anti-inflammatory medication. Many trainers use whatever medications are permitted whether or not they believe a horse needs it. If they don’t, the thinking goes, they will be giving an advantage to a competitor.
...
Barbaro was running on Lasix in the Preakness, and there is no evidence that this had anything to do with his accident.