JC / Railbird

The Sport Archive

Gray Areas

“To be a horse-racing fan means accepting that along with the occasional true hero and clear-cut villain comes a barn full of men and women whose true character is impossible to discern.” (LA Daily News)

Posted in The Sport on April 11, 2005

A Number of Challenges

That’s what racing faces in 2005, reports Bill Christine, in a lengthy article that recounts the woes of NYRA, Magna, and Churchill Downs in recent months. Federal investigations, operating losses, and tussles with the Jockeys’ Guild all made 2004 difficult for the three organizations that own some of the best tracks in the United States, and there’s no sign that the problems will go away this year, weakening the entire industry: “Racing, racked by empty seats and competition from other forms of gambling, is struggling because its strongest links are not that strong.” (LA Times)

Posted in The Sport on March 29, 2005

The Worst Job in Sports

USA Today calls being a horse groom the worst job in sports. I don’t know about that — it sounds like being a team mascot or a urine collector is far more onerous.

Posted in The Sport on February 26, 2005