What Kind of Mother Would…
Allow me to put a spin on an old legal adage: If you have the facts on your side, argue the facts. If you have compassion on your side, argue compassion. If you have neither, use some rhetorical flourishes and…
Giving Voice
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CHRB Vice-Chair Admonishes Horse-Activists to Crusade for Children Instead
Yesterday, during a public-comment period at a California Horse Racing Board meeting, the activists – the true animal activists, that is, the ones calling for an unequivocal end to horseracing – came out in force. Those who spoke – Amanda…
California Activists Hold Vigil for Santa Anita Dead
This past Sunday, Heather Wilson, Amanda Lunn, and Ron McGill organized a vigil for the 27 (now 28) horses who have died at Santa Anita Park since Christmas. We were honored to have Heather read – with unflinching strength and…
Former Exercise Rider on Why She Has Turned Against Horseracing
In a recent Guardian article, former exercise rider Elizabeth Banicki explains why she has turned against horseracing. Some of the highlights: “I have come to a time in my life where I cannot watch a horse race. It evokes too…
With Protesters Out in Force, Attendance for Santa Anita’s Big Day Third Lowest in 75 Years
The Los Angeles Daily News reports this for Saturday, Santa Anita’s biggest day of the racing calendar (seven “stakes” races, including the $1 million Santa Anita Derby): “…the announced crowd of 30,713 was the third smallest in the past 75…
Three Killed in Grand National Meet; Former Bettor/Fan Says, No More
In the just-concluded three-day Grand National meet in England, three horses were killed: Forest Des Aigles and Crucial Role Friday, Up for Review in the main event yesterday. Said a Jockey Club Racecourses director, “As a sport of animal lovers,…
If You’re Holding Your Breath at the Racetrack, Perhaps It’s Time to Recalibrate Your Moral Compass
Friday night, the Los Angeles Times ran this headline in its sports section: “Santa Anita breathes a sigh of relief after no horses die on first day back” Imagine that. The article then went on to quote some racetrack patrons:…
How Some in the Media Mislead (Deceive?) the Public on Industry Kills
Saturday, the Houston Chronicle ran an article entitled, “At Sam Houston, only one horse fatality this meet.” The writer, Hal Lundgren, opened it thus: “Texas tracks have avoided the frightening number of horse fatalities that have darkened racing at Santa…
High-Ranking Official on Future of California Racing: “I think it’s at risk”
As Santa Anita readies to re-open this Friday, and the battle there resumes, I give you these truly remarkable and decidedly auspicious (for us) comments from a high-ranking racing official. In a recent interview with FoxLA, Rick Baedeker, executive director…
Leilani Munter, For Horseracing Wrongs
Recently, Leilani Munter – a world-famous (retired) racecar driver and, more important (I think she’d agree), animal/environmental activist – recorded the following PSA for us. Thank you, Leilani.