Quote:
Originally Posted by mountainman
My take isn't hot or dramatic: The breakdowns are largely an anomaly that points out how many unsound and sore horses compete at even "elite" tracks.
I wonder how many casual bettors actually realize this.
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In a nationwide study on fatal breakdowns conducted a few years ago, the results of which were reported on this very site...it was discovered that, in the vast majority of the cases, the fatal breakdowns had occurred exactly on the part of the leg where preexisting trauma had already taken place...trauma which had obviously not been allowed to heal properly. We read disturbing findings such as these, and it upsets us for a short while...but then we move on to the next "controversy" in the sport. And our anger arises anew when this disturbing "secret" within the sport causes more fatalities somewhere down the line. But, this new anger of ours also soon passes...and we again are quickly off to "bigger and better" things.
The horses are not allowed to heal properly in the name of "profit", gentlemen...and much more than just the lives of these magnificent animals hang in the balance. And, through our betting dollars...we too play a hand in this disgusting travesty. If there is a bigger or more disturbing issue in this game...then I can't seem to find it.
