In a way, it IS a performance enhancer because if the horse feels no pain, he'll run faster. Its not a performance enhancer in the sense that it opens up the lungs or makes a horse not get as tired as he normally would, but less pain 'enhances' what would otherwise be a performance where the horse felt pain.

Someone in this thread mentioned they wish they could find out which horses are getting dental work....i agree, that would be nice. It would also be nice to find out other 'surgical' procedures. Everyone is so gung ho on finding about first time geldings, but what about other stuff? How about other minor 'surgeries' that affect performance. Is throat surgery LESS important to know than first time gelding? Trainers get a 400 dollar fine in California for NOT reporting first time gelding....no one seems to care about throat surgery.

How about some type of abscess in the mouth? Would you want to know that that horse coming off the 20 length loss had a painful abscess that's gone today? Is that LESS important than first time gelding?

There is so much info out there that is 'hidden' from the public, all they want to know is first time gelding.

And, don't get me started on shoes. The entire racing industry acts as if there is no such thing. Watch TVG, HRTV or ESPN or NBC and see if you can find ONE reference as to what shoes these horses are wearing. See if during the Ky Derby or Breeders Cup telecast if any 'expert' is even curious as to what kind of shoes the participants are currently wearing and wore in the past.