Richie, thank you for offering your usual erudition together with a soupçon of wit. Once you mentioned the word "science" my mind went into operational shutdown, so I have nothing to add nor subtract from your musings.

On another sports-themed message board, I was prompted to do some research on the NCAA, which as an oversight organization rivals many of the most inept political and management entities regulating the racing industry. I was somewhat surprised to learn that the impetus for its formation, in the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt, was the need to formulate a response to the growing prevalence of injuries and death in college football. As the French say, "plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose" which loosely translated means, same $hit, different day.

Football and horse racing represent activities that require physical efforts that put people and animals at serious risk. For good measure throw in boxing. Regardless of all the love and attention that is given to our equine friends by many people in the business, the potential for "bad optics" of all sorts looms large every day. It does no good to dismiss opposition as fanatics, regardless of the fanaticism of some.

There is no easy fix to this, particularly since the fixing apparatus is the first thing that needs to be fixed. But, my point is simply that it is sometimes useful to take a step outside of the cocoon, and view something we love through the eyes of those who might be indifferent to it, let alone those who would like to tear it to the ground. There might be some benefit to offering "good optics" about the sport. The animals are the objects of tremendous love and affection, and are generally recipients of care in their best interests. In some of the hot button issues, there is room for compromise without feeling that the foundations of the sport are being threatened. I personally have little use for either Kool-Aid avoidance or the steady stream of "the end is near" prophecies. Like football, the sport has substantial vulnerabilities. It would be nice to stay a step ahead of the carnage instead of always being two steps behind.