When is the race over?
The national media coverage of Barbaro's extended and courageous (but ultimately unsuccesful) battle to overcome the complications of a catastrophic injury was the first indication that the "general public" could have a major and far-reaching impact on the sport.
For years, The Thoroughbred racing establishment has tried to identify a new source of patron that will keep the sport going into the next generation, increasing exposure to non-traditional demographics.
It's also sadly apparent that they got the exposure, but certainly not in the way the consultants had planned. (Feel free to add your own version of "be careful what you ask for" here)
How sadly ironic would it be if the "new audience" for horseracing is, in fact, those protesting for its end?
That 8 Belles broke down AFTER the finish line was almost the perfect metaphor for racing's biggest problems right now. and maybe too coincidental to ignore.
Eight Belles' very public sacrifice (after a blessedly short period of suffering, compared to Barbaro) has fomented the most recent call for a combined and concentrated effort to ""do something" about the real and perceived problems that are being uncovered, breakdwon by breakdown.
When the influential and politically-savvy organization know as PETA entered the discussion, it was too easy to point out their ignorance of the sport in general. However, it was also impossible to ignore. The visceral reactions to her death were unexpected but also understandable. One thing was proven, however. . .the sport was practically forced into looking at racing from the "general public's" viewpoint.
When publicly attacked from "outside" the industry's leaders realized that if they didn't take the initiative and act for positive change, they would be acted "upon" by a very savvy and influential group.
After I saw last year's Kentucky Derby runners cross the finish line, I allowed myself to exhale, thankful that there would be no sad endings on Derby day.
This year, I'll be holding my breath until all the horses are unsaddled, all the photos snapped, and all the riders back in the jock's room.
