Re: Teflon Todd (590 Views)
Posted by:
bobphilo (IP Logged)
Date: December 29, 2006 11:39AM
Richiebee and Marcus,
The animal abuse approach is a viable one as well. I have always argued that this aspect of illegal drug use is its most despicable aspect. Unlike drugging in other sports, the athletes involved in racing are unwilling participants. Let’s not forget the jockeys’ lives are being put at risk as well. Almost all cases of death and paralysis in jockeys occur because horses break down and horses on pain killing drugs are the prime candidates for these breakdowns. These points should resonate well with the general public.
In addition there are animal protection agencies already in place, like the ASPCA that could act on this issue.
That doesn’t mean that this approach and organizing bettors are mutually exclusive. Next to the government, the betting public can be the single most effective influence on the tracks’ management. The whole product depends on the bettor buying it. As Jerry said, the organizing process would be a major chore but would be well worth it its effects.
No, I don’t wish Jerry a seven-day workweek but there are other influential people in the game who could lead the effort. Just adding his voice to the issue would have a huge effect.
The success of the boycott at Golden Gate did not spread to other tracks because that was not its purpose. It was a group of local bettors wanting change at that track and it succeeded. If the movement was planned to work on the national level it could build on its momentum from the success at Golden Gate from track to track.
As Jerry said “The time is coming when we (horseplayers, owners, those of us who service and represent them) may have to take control of the game.”
Given the effect of the "juicers" on both the horses and humans involved, that time should soon be at hand.
Bob
Bob