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Oct 02, 2023

Churchill Downs suspension a small price in prioritization of safety

Welcome to the Winner’s Circle , a weekly column by Bet For The Win senior

Welcome to the Winner's Circle, a weekly column by Bet For The Win senior writer Prince J. Grimes.

Churchill Downs announced Friday the suspension of racing operations at the track after 12 horse deaths over the last six weeks. The famed home of the Kentucky Derby is moving the remainder of its 2023 Spring Meet to Ellis Park, which is about 134 miles west of Lousiville, in Henderson, Kentucky.

Though track surface expert Dennis Moore found no primary areas of concern after his inspection of the Churchill Downs track last week, there remains no explanation for the mass casualties. Without the completion of a full investigation that can find a through line in the horse deaths that completely rules out the track, the suspension was the responsible thing to do.

Several people within the racing community understood as much and voiced their support of the move, which was first recommended by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).

"We wake up every day dealing with change," King Russell trainer Ron Moquett told the Louisville Courier Journal. "As long as we can take care of the horses, I’m OK."

However, apparently not everyone was in full support.

One horse owner said it was "odd" that there was talk of moving races a day after new safety measures were communicated to horsemen. Rick Hiles, the president of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, called the move drastic.

"We all want to find solutions that will improve safety for horses," Hiles said. "However, we need to discuss allowing trainers and veterinarians to use therapeutic medications that greatly lessen the risk of breakdowns. Drastic steps, such as relocating an active race meet, should only be considered when it is certain to make a difference."

In other words, some people think nothing should have been done. As Churchill Downs seeks answers for the death of a dozen horses — with Congress demanding transparency in the process — some people think races should have continued.

I’m not an expert in horse racing by any means, but that doesn't seem like the type of proactive move you make to inspire confidence in the public that every stone is being turned in an effort to create a safe environment for a workforce that didn't ask to be there in the first place. Especially when there doesn't seem to be a significant financial impact caused by moving races.

"Outside of the Derby, Churchill Downs doesn't make much money on racing and, as seen during the pandemic, people who want to bet on racing will still do so online," a Wells Fargo analyst said, via the Earnings+More newsletter.

Sharon Ward, the former director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center and author of a report on How Pennsylvanians Bankroll The Sport of Kings echoed that sentiment in a Courier Journal story about renovations at Churchill Downs.

"The short answer is there is no money in horse racing," Ward said. "Gambling has really exploded. People are spending money on betting, but that money is not going to horse racing and the industry is continuing to decline…"

So, what's really the risk of moving these races besides maybe an inconvenience to a few organizers and handlers? Until we have more answers for what's causing the death of these horses, I’d say that's a small price to pay.

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