The public should not be given unrestricted access to the backside for a number of reasons, many already stated. 1st off the tracks and trainers do not want the responsibility of safeguarding the public from potential harm because of the potential of liability. Anyone who thinks that there are no dangers on the backside in the morning obviously has never had a loose horse coming at them at full speed. Or hasnt been kicked or bit by a seemingly docile horse. The liability issue alone is enough to keep people out. But there are other reasons too. Just because you frequent a restaurant you are not allowed unfettered access to the kitchen. Sports teams allow you to see certain parts of training but it is always supervised, you cant just wander into the clubhouse. It is a real stretch to say that horseracing is missing a big opportunity fanwise by not allowing them unrestricted access. Most tracks have some sort of tour program and every track that I know of allows you to view workouts from the grandstand. Derby week is always a zoo with so many people around that dont belong, parking on the horse paths, taking pictures of horses from under the rails spooking horses, etc. Churchill will regret not limiting access someday when someone gets trampled and brings about a billion dollar lawsuit.
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