It was a welcome conclusion for the multibillion-dollar sport imperiled by frequent racing fatalities, reckless breeding, dodgy doping practices and the old-fashioned greed of veterinarians, trainers and owners.
Last year, 12 horses perished at Churchill Downs in the days surrounding the famous race.
Two weeks later, a horse trained by one of the sport’s most recognized trainers died at Pimlico Race Course.
Ambulances rumbled onto the track, emergency workers erected privacy screens and, behind them, vets euthanized the horses with injections.
All of it put the social acceptability of one of America’s oldest sports at risk.
Persons:
Dan, Forever Young
Organizations:
Sierra, Forever, Kentucky Derby
Locations:
Sierra Leone, Japan, America’s, Churchill, Saratoga, New York