I’ll Have Another’s Scratch from the Belmont Stakes the day before the race left fans, NBC-TV, the colt’s connections, and the Thoroughbred sport in general deflated and saddened. A sports columnist for the The New York Times wasted no time in using this news to bash the entire sport of Thoroughbred racing.
William Rhoden editorialized in a short video clip titled “A Sport Left at the Post” (click here to see it) that I’ll Have Another’s scratch was somehow reflective of a sport in need of reform. I can’t grasp the logic of how the colt’s scratch leads to the conclusion that Thoroughbred racing needs reform. That is like saying that star point guard Derrick Rose’s ACL tear, which cost the Chicago Bulls any chance to advance in the NBA playoffs, demonstrates that the NBA needs reform. Or that the injury to the Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh during the playoffs is symptomatic of problems with the NBA.
Mr. Rhoden should reconsider his logic. In my judgment, he has articulated a non sequitur of major proportions. Horse racing needs some reform, but I’ll Have Another’s scratch is not the reason.
In fact, a strong case can be made that the decision by I’ll Have Another’s owner Paul Reddam embodied what is right with racing. Mr. Rhoden could have pursued the point that Dr. Reddam’s action manifested love and care, rather than using a sample size of one to paint an entire industry with a broad brush.
Copyright © 2012 Horse Racing Business
Click here to see another reporter resorting to the lowest common denominator, instead of writing about what Paul Reddam did in the best interests of his colt.
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