What Kind of Hit Will Racing Take If Barbaro Dies?

[kentuckyrosesinmay]

Originally Posted by sumitas

You are a member of PETA, great, but don't be a wimp. Dirt's gotta go first and foremost as in now. Be replaced by synthetic. Then we'll see where the sport is at and go on from there.

I am looking forward to the Keeneland meet more than Saratoga because they have actually done something to improve safety.

Last time I checked, horses break down on polytrack too and out playing in their pastures as well, or in their stall, or by another horse, or in the trailer...etc.etc. They are just fragile creatures, and not just on the racetrack. The jury is still out on polytrack. At this point, I'm not sure that it is the best way to go. Barbaro's incident was a freak accident and I believe that Pimlico's racing surface is great. Not too many breakdowns occur on that track and I will say it again like I have said many times before...other race tracks should be looking at what Pimlico is doing instead of going synthetic. Quite frankly, other than the fact that is "possibly" improves safety, I don't like the stuff. It has a lot of disadvantages too.

Does anyone have the stats on how many horses broke down at Pimlico this meet? I just want to compare to that of the polytracks.

Oh yeah, and great post Betsy. I thought that you were dead on. I've got my arguements prepared too. I actually got into a conversation about it today with my boss that knew of Barbaro's situation but knew nothing about race horses. Lucky for me, she is the type that she will listen to more knowledgeable people on a given subject before coming to conclusions. It is the people that won't do this that we should be worried about.

I think that racing will take somewhat of a hit, but will probably not be as bad as we all think it will be if the horse is euthanized. I think the Jacksons have showed a very compassionate, good side to horse racing even if Barb does die. They obviously love the horse and will go to any lengths that are reasonable to try to save him. I'm glad they gave him a chance.