Patrick Semansky/Associated Press
Horse owners, trainers and racetrack executives are supposed to take care of their athletes, equine and human. When they do not, both are at risk. As we saw earlier this year, 30 horses had to be euthanized after sustaining devastating injuries at Santa Anita Park in Southern California. Their riders, fortunately, were not seriously injured.
And regulatory agencies are supposed to protect the public, in the case of horse racing by “ensuring the integrity, viability and safety” of the industry, according to the California Horse Racing Board’s mission statement.
It is a hard job that requires a certain steadfastness in the face of public pressure.