There is an organization called Horseracing Wrongs, which bills itself as a non-profit “committed to eradicating horseracing in the United States. We are in fact the only organization in the country that is clearly and consistently working toward that end.”

The organization, founded by Patrick Battuello, includes this message on its website: “We firmly believe that if those coming to this site do so with an open mind, a fresh lens, they will see horseracing not for how it has been sold — as sport, ‘The Sport of Kings’ — but rather as the cruel and deadly (gambling) industry that it is.” Battuello then encourages people who have tips to email him directly at patrickjbattuello@gmail.com.

According to the organization, since 2014 New York has recorded 873 dead racehorses from the state’s horse tracks: 114 from Aqueduct, 322 from Belmont, 177 from the Finger Lakes, and 134 from Saratoga. Just in 2023 alone, again according to Horseracing Wrongs, The Aqueduct Racetrack has seen six dead racehorses, and Belmont has seen five.

Even though horses provide therapy for many people, they are still not listed as companions under New York State law. The reason legislation in the New York Assembly and Senate has not been updated to protect racehorses from abuse and drugs is probably due to the lawmakers gambling and promoting horseracing. Governor Hochul is a prime example. She just did this according to the Paulick Report: “New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Jerry Zaro to the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) board of directors, NYRA announced Wednesday. This appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Michael J. Del Giudice and is effective immediately.

“Zaro is an active breeder and thoroughbred owner. Among the horses he has campaigned are the New York-bred Blindwillie McTell, a three-time stakes winner; and Baby Yoda, who recorded the fastest Beyer Speed Figure [114] at all NYRA tracks in 2021.”

Fox in the hen house anyone?

According to The State of Politics, “Hochul wants to go big on horse racing by propping up the Nassau County racetrack. The governor’s budget calls for floating $455 million in government-backed bonds for an overhaul of the racetrack. Critics say that’s too much money for what amounts to a dying industry.”

We can only hope that people will become educated, have a heart and stop supporting this hideous industry.

And veterinarians who take pay over ethics are equally guilty. As a group, the American Veterinary Association should condemn horse racing.

Spring Sounds

The sound of peepers is so soothing and joyful, telling us that spring and summer are coming again. Something that is not joyful is all the little animals that are killed by cars every spring. Toads and salamanders desperately try to cross roads to get to vernal pools, birds fly low across roads finding food for the young, other critters come out of hibernation and have no idea there is danger on the roads. We humans, can do something to save the lives of these species. We can slow down when we drive. What a terrible reason for someone to die, because a person is oblivious in their own selfish world to all the wonderful life around that is just trying to live as much as we are. Think about it.