By Marc Paulhus
I agree that the 60 Minutes report was incomplete, though hardly inaccurate. It focused on the drug issue only, and a relatively few individuals have so far been prosecuted under the federal investigation. Those prosecutions were for the purchase and use of mislabeled, compounded substances which is a relatively straightforward crime. There have been no follow-up convictions under state law for felony “tampering” or race fixing which was surely the intent of the users. Some of those ensnared in the federal probe retain their state racing licenses. Business as usual.
Only Jeff Gural, owner of the Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, is serious about keeping dopers and scurrilous characters out of his facilities. Kudos to Mr. Gural for his courage and personal integrity. What about NYRA and the harness tracks in New York and elsewhere?
Let’s be honest, the video showed a very small number of horses injured and killed on the track. And a couple dozen deaths were mentioned as a precursor to the Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup. Hardly unfair or sensational. Incomplete national racing commission records show that more than 1000 racehorses die on racetracks annually. And neither the Jockey Club nor [HISA] require that deaths in racing or on private training farms be recorded. Racing deaths are far, far greater than depicted. As revealed in one wiretap statement, some horses are simply made to disappear.
Of greater concern is the ongoing incompetence of state regulators and racetracks at effectively policing the sport. Miniscule fines and suspensions offer little deterrent for racing infractions. More serious cases are NEVER referred to law enforcement for criminal prosecution under felony animal cruelty or felony tampering (race fixing) laws. Racing regulators are incestuously linked to the regulated and they strive to provide the veneer of competent oversight. They have and continue to fail in their mandate.
What 60 MInutes achieved is to focus the eyes of the world on one just aspect of the culture of racing. Drugs. Already in decline with diminishing patronage, propped up with billions in state-directed subsidies, plagued with continuous scandals and increasing public scrutiny, the future of racing is indeed uncertain. Who are you going to blame? The media? Animal rights advocates? Defrauded bettors? Maybe it’s time to look inward.
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Marc Paulhus has a degree in Animal Science and spent 22 years with the Humane Society of the United States as a criminal field investigator, Director of Horse Protection and VP for Companion Animals, Marc has researched horse racing issues for decades. He has testified before more than a dozen racing commissions and testified multiple times before U.S. Congress on racing legislation going as far back as 1983 with hearings on the Corrupt Horse Racing Practices Act.
Paulhus resides in Hendersonville, NC and currently works as a consultant in research and strategy for PETA.
The comments above are the solely the opinion of the author and Past The Wire does not necessarily share these opinions. Past The Wire does not endorse the views of PETA.
