In Part 5 of this series, we examined some of the questions
that serious handicappers ask about how a horse performs on different surfaces.
But what are some of the implications of using "safer" synthetic surfaces in
horse racing? Hopefully, products such as Polytrack will continue to reduce
injuries and eliminate the fatalities that make horse racing more dangerous
than sky diving, mountain climbing, motorcycle racing, boxing, or college
football. But could these new racing surfaces adversely affect the horses who
inhale the silica, wax, and other chemical compound that such synthetic
materials contain? Horses tend to take in a lot of dirt while racing, and some
animals may be allergic to these unfamiliar materials.
There are long-term questions, too. Could synthetic surfaces
contribute to the creation of a weaker thoroughbred? Already, the breed has
been weakened by the overmedicating and inbreeding of top-flight racers. Also, are horses that race well on synthetic
surfaces successful because their comparatively weaker bones and joints take
less of a pounding? If such "synthetic racers" become more desirable, would
breeding them perpetuate problems that may result in more broken bones on
natural surfaces? Or, does the future of horse racing include only synthetic
surfaces? If that's the case, what about those horses that don't run well on
Polytrack or its alternatives. Will some would-be champions remain uncrowned
just because race tracks are using a different kind of "dirt"? Or should a
champion run like a champion, regardless of the type of surface?
Yes, a safer surface in horse racing is a good idea. Injuries and deaths are not only horrific and
unnecessary; they cause other types of loss, too. Jockeys, trainers, and owners lose money if
their horses cannot race. Typically,
jockeys don't receive worker's compensation benefits or have health insurance
to pay for medical expenses. As for trainers and owners, they can't race horses
that they don't have. Racing accidents also create a poor image for the "sport
of kings". Who wants to take their kids
to the track to see an animal collapse, flail a dangling leg around, and have to
be loaded onto a trailer to be taken away? (Note: If this thought turns your
stomach, it's best to avoid steeplechase days. They tend to have the most
dangerous accidents.)
Synthetic surfaces are one way for horses and horsemen to
have safer places to work. But as far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out.
Maybe we should go back to the drawing board with the mixture and maintenance
of plain old dirt. After all, thoroughbreds have been racing on U.S. soil and
grass for over 130 years.
Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoroughbred_horse
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/27/sports/othersports/27racing.html
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