Horse Racing Wrongs: Open Letter to Bob Costas; Eight Belles

OPEN LETTER Introduction The following letter was sent to Bob Costas, host of NBC's Kentucky Derby coverage. To date, no reply. The sentiments expressed, of course, are applicable to all at that network, but most especially to Jon Miller, president of sports programming. Since my letter was mailed, an article in Sports Business Journal quotes Miller as…

When a “scratched” racehorse is actually dead

Cross-posted from Horse Racing Wrongs by PATRICK BATTUELLO It's hard to say how many fatal paddock fractures and "sudden cardiac events" occur just prior to scheduled races, for these deaths are typically buried as mere "vet scratches" on the official race charts. Sometimes, though, insight comes from other sources, sources like California's publicly-posted stewards minutes.…

Back in Dixie killed at Keeneland — “The bone had separated . . .”

Cross-posted from Horse Racing Wrongs by PATRICK BATTUELLO Friday’s 9th race at Keeneland was a $100,000 Grade 3. In other words, the kind of race that typically garners press coverage. Owing to such coverage, we now know that one of those under the whip that evening, a 4-year-old filly named Back in Dixie, broke [down]…