"Without them, there's nothing"
 

Nice piece with video...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/24/sp...r=2&ref=sports

That was a good video. I like the horse eating the fence at the end

It's just sad that a lot of the people, who read this article, that have the money that could make a difference are more likely to donate to PETA than to retirement farms.

That's as may be, but like the article said, the real responsibility is on the industry that makes money off of these athletes. And as long as they're seen as commodities, not creatures, it's not likely to change.

Why shouldn't the people who are giving their $$ to PETA give it to horse retirement instead, then go out to the track and fall in love with racing?

I don't think it works that way... I fell in love with this sport five years ago, I loved watching the horses run (and betting on them) but never felt a true connection to the athletes themselves until I met a trainer and got the opportunity to visit his barn. Petting the horses, feeding them carrots and seeing their personalities up close made me fall in love with Horse Racing all over again but this time I truly saw the horses for more than just an animal to bet on... not many folks get that opportunity to *know* the horses. I saved a horse I met in my trainers barn after he was shipped of to a minor league track and got injured but I can tell you that this is not the route for everyone, saving a horse is expensive (just like owning them is) but it is so worth it. To this day, I donate to rescue groups because I know how hard it is to save even one, let alone the tens of thousands that need to be "saved" every year.

Most fans of this sport never get the opportunity to really get to know our star athletes. When I was at Del Mar a week ago I had the chance to meet Zenyatta in Shirreffs barn and I loved seeing her personality up close - she is a star and she knows it, I loved seeing that attitude in her! - but how many folks get to go to the backside of a track? Not many unless you have an owners license or know someone... track marketing departments could do so much more to help this sport by giving more small group tours of the backside, getting the average fan into winners circle photos - I've been known to bring random fans I meet at the track down into the paddock before a race or into the winners circle when my trainer wins a a race - he's ok with it, says the more folks in the photo, the better - and the response I get is wonderful, it brings the excitement of the sport into the lives of people that might not otherwise get to experience it.

I want people to love this sport and the animals that do all the hard work... the more we can do to get folks to support the animals that make this all possible, the better this sport will be. We can't forget the horse in the end... but unfortunately, too many of us do.

What have YOU, all of you, done lately to care for the animals that make this sport that you love so much? Where are we without the horses? Please donate to your local rescue group, they need it more than you even realize.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97fMSqA6whk

This video only captures for a few moments from the backside at about the 1:55 minute mark, but Zenyatta's special "prance" in the post parade in her last race was priceless.

She definitely knows who she is and what she's done.

Good post, DerbyCat

People should give their private charity dollars to whatever charity they want to give to. I would argue back why shouldn't the people who are actually making money (or losing money, but being entertained) by these animals be left off the hook? The gamblers and owners have more of a responsibility than some PETA supporter who doesn't go to the races anyway and would be perfectly happy if the sport went away.

High end of takeout is what, 25 percent (I'm thinking NY; I don't know what it is in other states)? Would you be amenable to having it raised to 26 or 27 percent and having the additional percentage going to retirement/retraining programs for the horses?

Absolutely!

Come to Keeneland. Open backstretch, no guards or fences. Just mind your manners and remember that horses have right-of-way.