Unless We Change, We Will Perish.

[Cadillakin]

Franco Varola, the brilliant, sociologist-lawyer who furthered the original chef-de-race concept of Lt Col. JJ Vuillier stated that the racing horse is a reflection of the society in which he lives and races. Indeed. We as Americans have brought the fast-food concept of racing to our beloved thoroughbred. Our only remaining edge in the racing world is our brilliance over fast, hard ground - over less than classic distances.. The great breeding operations that bred and raced for the good of the breed, who sought and maintained classicity, have given way to commercialism, brazen speed, and a fast return on investment.

Unless we change, we will perish - like many of our once-great industries. Our auto industry did not meet the international challenge. It took profits and ignored the rest of the world. It did not retool and compete.. It stood pat. Our racing industry is on the same path.

[46zilzal]

I was fortunate enough to have the Blood Horse publish my piece on stamina in their Kentucky Derby edition in 1990. IF you do not establish GRADED stakes races at MARATHON distances, you will forever negate any idea as to which blood lines MIGHT re-produce that. Shooting themselves in the foot for a quick buck breeding precocious lines to precocious lines and being surprised they don't ever stretch out.

Since that time, I have noticed the same thing (as did the authors of the good book Headless Horsemen)...No long term game plan is in place in THIS side of the Atlantic.