Gambling with lives

The thoroughbred industry is a popular and historic tradition in Kentucky, and it's easy to see why. The industry has a $4 billion impact on the state, making it almost as crucial to Kentucky's economy as Bourbon, its signature beverage. Because of its economic significance, issues surrounding the horse-racing industry are particularly taboo across the state. For instance, during the 2019 Kentucky Derby, the lives of several horses were put in grave danger when the leading horse was spooked by the massive crowd size and veered into the other horses' lanes. The potentially catastrophic event could have resulted in the deaths of numerous horses and possibly their jockeys as well, but the dangers of horse racing were not discussed nearly as much as the controversial disqualification of the winning horse.

The day prior to the Derby, known as the Oaks, also saw a potentially tragic situation when a filly fell and rolled over just out of the gate, throwing her jockey, and continuing to race on her own. Instances such as these endanger not only the horse but also the jockey who risks being crushed by the weight of the horse or being thrown violently.

Many Kentuckians and horse-racing fans still remember Barbaro and Eight Belles, two beloved horses who both infamously lost their lives while horse racing. Churchill Downs attempts to draw the focus away from such events because any negative perceptions of the horse-racing industry could be detrimental to their corporation and Kentucky's economy. However, the true side of horse-racing is becoming more and more difficult to ignore.

60 horses have died tragically at the Santa Anita racetrack in California since the start of 2018, and 29 of those deaths have occurred since December. Despite Santa Anita officials attempting to make the track safer by replacing the dirt and taking other precautionary measures, the deaths continued while the track owners stubbornly refused to close.

Continuing to race horses on an unsafe track for monetary gain is not only a sign of the utmost greed but is also incredibly inhumane. While the horse racing industry may bring in billions of dollars in revenue and stimulate the economy, the stakes are too high. Gamblers are placing bets on horses' lives and until more measures are put in place to ensure the safety of every horse and every jockey, the horse racing industry can never be humane.