America’s Complicated Relationship with Horse Racing

On the Preakness 2016 undercard, I watched the horses loading into the gate for the fourth race, an allowance optional claimer, a contest for which I had not done any handicapping, so I was not familiar with the thoroughbreds that would be competing for the $55,000 purse. Before the gates could spring open to start this mile and a sixteenth TURF race, the horse in the stall marked in pink with a black number eight was a bit over eager and broke through the gate.

In an instant, I was reminded that it had been ten years since the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro had broken through the gate prior to the start of that year’s Preakness and that he would fracture his right hind leg shortly after the race began. The Barbaro saga would capture the hearts of the American public as his fracture eventually healed, only to succumb to laminitis some eight months after the Preakness.

When the number eight horse, Pramedya, got through the gate I immediately noticed “the blue and lime green silks with the white cross sashes”. I instantly knew that those were the colors of Lael Stables, which is owned by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, and yes, they were the owners of Barbaro.

As was the case ten years ago, the Maryland State Veterinarian took a look at Pramedya, and deemed that she was no worse for the wear and the lightly raced four-year-old bay filly was loaded back into the gate. It was forgotten as the field took off down the stretch for the first time, headed around the turn, and went out of sight behind the infield, which on Preakness weekend is built up with extra spectator stands and hospitality tents. I was watching the Pimlico video feed from home and saw very little of the horses until they were coming around the clubhouse turn. I saw a horse go down towards the pack of the pack, but there was no mention of which runner it was.

As always in these situations I was immediately concerned for the horse and rider. I hoped it was not a breakdown, maybe just a fall. I hoped that Javier, Johnny V., and Joel were not injured if it turned out to be their mount. When the race ended I tried to take stock of the field to figure out which horse had gone down, but to no avail.

After several minutes I saw some comments on Twitter about the incident, and eventually the complete order of finish showed that it had, in fact, been Pramedya that had broken down. I could not believe the cruel twist of fate that the Jacksons would have a horse break down on this day and in this hauntingly familiar way. It was way too close to what had happened 10 years earlier with Barbaro. Pramedya, we would learn, had catastrophic injuries and was euthanized on the track.

It did not take long for the uproar to begin; tweets and articles were appearing about the cruelty of horse racing. We have heard this before and we will no doubt hear it again.

Americans have complicated relationships with animals. They always have and no doubt they always will.

According to the website of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (aspca.org).

•”It is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States; estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.”

• “Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.”

•”Each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized (1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats).”

For the majority of Americans that have meat as a regular part of their diet, the website for A Well-Fed World (awfw.org) says that, “More than nine billion land animals die each year in the U.S. alone to produce meat, dairy, and eggs.

We all have to make decisions about how we deal with the relationships that we have with animals, whether that includes the decision to be an owner of a pet, or to eat meat, or to be a fan of horse racing.

I have made the decision to not have any pets in my home. I grew up in a house with cats and a dog. I was concerned that I would not be able to devote enough time to be a proper pet owner and that the last thing I would want is to send a pet to a shelter. Meat is a regular part of my diet, so I must accept the fact that I know where the meat comes from that I buy in the grocery store.

Over the years, I have had the chance to acquire a very realistic view of thoroughbred racing. I have worked on the backstretch, very closely with the horses. I have met and talked with trainers, owners, jockeys, grooms, and hot walkers. I know that at times horses die, but as I have said Americans have complicated relationships with the animals that they raise.

Nobody likes it when horses get hurt while racing and that certainly includes me. As I said I was very upset when Pramedya got hurt, but I know that is not why the Jacksons bred the horse. Like so many others in racing they love their horses and give them the best care possible.

I have made the decision to be part of certain relationships with animals and to reject others and that is something that all Americans must do.  I have been a fan of horse racing for almost all of my life and no doubt will continue to do so.