Kentucky Derby’s biggest mistake was how it started, not how it ended
By Kevin B. Blackistone Kevin B. Blackistone Bio Follow Columnist May 7 at 2:54 PM On Sunday, as a wet weather system finished making its way across the country, NASCAR postponed its Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway. The system was producing too persistent a rain, track officials decided. It made the track too dangerous. So they waited a day to run the Gander RV 400, the first Monday NASCAR race in Delaware in more than a decade.
Instead, it was that the thoroughbreds, which the horse racing industry always claims to be trying to protect, were allowed to run at all in conditions deemed too dicey for competitions involving human competitors. But we really don’t care about horses, no matter the iconic status we’ve elevated them to in North America. Episodically, we embrace a Seabiscuit or Secretariat when a Triple Crown threat emerges, or a Zenyatta, the mare who ripped off victory after victory during an unprecedented run of consecutive wins in the early 2000s. Generally, though, we ignore the whole lot.
And since the tragic breakdown of Barbaro at the 2006 Preakness, studies showing synthetic tracks were safer than dirt persuaded many tracks to invest in alternative surfaces. That the Derby is a nationally televised kickoff of sorts for the horse racing season shouldn’t preclude the sport from doing the right thing. It should inspire it.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Warren Buffett on not investing in Amazon — and why it's not his biggest mistake'I didn't realize you could go from books to what's happened there,' Berkshire Hathaway CEO and chairman Warren Buffett says of the rise of Amazon.
Read more »
Kentucky derby hats can cost up to $1,000–here's what it's like to shop for oneSome Kentucky Derby racegoers drop up hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars to land the perfect hat. Here's what happened when I spent an afternoon shopping for one in Manhattan, NYC.
Read more »
Perspective | Andrew Beyer: The Kentucky Derby decision was a bad oneWhile Maximum Security may have veered off course, officials should disqualify a horse only when a foul has affected the outcome, or is particularly egregious.
Read more »
Country House's Kentucky Derby win ranks among biggest upsets in race's historyCountry House's 2019 Kentucky Derby win is one of the race's biggest upsets ever, with Donerail's win standing as the only horse with longer odds to win
Read more »
Perspective | What self-care looks like for the sandwich generation (and it’s not what you think)What self-care looks like for the sandwich generation (and it’s not what you think)
Read more »
Betsy DeVos: It's not about me, it's about students'As much as many in the media use my name as clickbait or try to make it all about me, it’s not,' Betsy DeVos said. 'Education is not about Betsy DeVos nor any other individual.'
Read more »
Kentucky Derby favorite Omaha Beach will not race SaturdayMorning line favorite Omaha Beach will not race in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday due to an entrapped epiglottis.
Read more »
Kentucky Derby winner will not race in Preakness Stakes due to health concernsThis year's Kentucky Derby winner, Country House, will not race in the Preakness Stakes due to health concerns, according to his trainer.
Read more »
Report: Kentucky Derby winner Country House will not race in PreaknessCountry House, who won Kentucky Derby after Maximum Security was disqualified, will not race at the Preakness later this month, according to a report.
Read more »
Kentucky Derby winner Country House will not race in Preakness Stakes due to healthThis year's Kentucky Derby winner, Country House, will not race in the Preakness Stakes due to health concerns, according to his trainer. The Preakness Stakes, the second round of the Triple Crown, is set for May 18. Country House was determined the Derby winner when a controversial decision disqualified
Read more »