Back when horse racing was a beloved national pastime, there were legendary turf writers who helped to develop rivalries, entice bettors and get the 'general' public excited about the personalities in the sport.Talented, astute and colorful writers of turfdom still exist, and racing fans, bettors and insiders can find them both at the newsstand and online.  The major players, which include The Bloodhorse, Thoroughbred Times and the Daily Racing Form provide information and commentary to  fans, owners and industry insiders throughout the world.But, the "general public" doesn't know that these resources exist.Spurred on by the unprecedented national interest in the very public deaths [and ensuing public debate and outrage] of Barbaro, George Washington and Eight Belles, small-town and regional papers have 'discovered' horse racing. . . and they're doing a laudable job when it comes toeducating the public about the underlying, complicated issues in a sport where the public destruction of an athlete is not uncommon.