Aqueduct Racing Officials Faulted in Horse Deaths - NYTimes.com

I was delighted to learn that Gov. Cuomo's task force investigation will be leading to some reform of pain-masking drug use  and clenbuterol abuse on the backstretch. What they uncovered validated what I went through with Bourbon Bandit.

So...here is an x-ray of Bourbon Bandit's knee in which he broke a bone (the equine knee has 5 bones) racing at Aqueduct on November 5, 2011. His breakdown went unreported by NYSRWB, when I inquired why?,  I was told, "because he was not vanned off the track". I am still trying to find out what Bourbon Bandit was racing on that he did not feel the pain of a broken bone until two days later.....???

In today's NY Times article, Aqueduct Racing Officials Faulted in Horse Deaths, Howard B. Glaser, Mr. Cuomo’s director of state operations, said in an interview, “At the New York Racing Association, concern for the health of the horses finished a distant second to economics”.

CLICK TO READ ARTICLE IN NY TIMES

...Thank you Gov. Cuomo for caring enough about horses to be the change that they need to see. These changes are a step in the right direction.

I stepped up and out about the abuse to my horse Bandit suffered...how many others are out there? Do you care enough to speak up? Please comment and share your thoughts, Susan.

Bourbon Bandit update...

At the Track, Racing Economics Collide With Veterinarians’ Oath - NYTimes.com

This is a groundbreaking piece about the ethical dilemma veterinarians face when working on racehorse.

I had the privilege of contributing Bandit's story. He is one of the lucky ones.

As always, I'd value your thoughts and feedback, Susan.

What can racehorse owners do to make money?

Throughout my lifetime, I have watched countless new owners jump into to the horse business and burn through many hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not good for them, not good for racing and especially bad for horses.

With millions of dollars at stake in the thoroughbred industry, lucrative state-bred programs, claiming opportunities and ever increasing purse structures the sport of horseracing is a great place to make money. The business of racing is fun and virtually recession proof. Ownership through partnerships now make it possible for many new people to become active participants in the Sport of Kings.

One of the most successful new owners in racing is my friend Roddy Valente. Over the past several years, Roddy and trainer Bruce Levine have amassed a stellar record of wins with value-based claimers and NY-Breds. This year alone, Valente’s stable has earned over $777,000 (as of July 10, 2008) and his top charge, undefeated home-bred BUSTIN STONES, is scheduled to run next in the Grade 2 $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga on July 26. I spoke with this dynamic owner-trainer team at the O! for UnbridledTV and Roddy articulated just what new owners need to do to achieve success on the track… Click the video (plays 7 mins) to find out what you can do to be a profitable player in the racing game …