As reported yesterday, the 3rd at Parx Wednesday was declared a “no contest due to a spill.” Now, as I fully anticipated, we have confirmation that at least one of those involved, 4-year-old Sudoku Terry, died. (The other, Alma Brilha, survived for now, but we’ll see.) That makes it two kills (Ritaan, a few races later), on the same day – and all of it funded by the good taxpayers of Pennsylvania. As a postscript, the “no contest” was covered by the Paulick Report because and only because, as its headline reads, the “marred race [left] jockeys hospitalized.” And having reported on the dinged-up jockeys, Paulick was practically forced to mention Ritaan. Vile people. Vile industry.

In other news, we are of course heavily engaged in the effort to decouple the two Thoroughbred tracks down in Florida – which, if the bill passes, would leave Gulfstream and Tampa Bay free to keep their gaming licenses without the requirement to hold live horseracing. In other words, this may be the beginning of the end for one or both tracks. Wednesday, the bill, HB 105, was overwhelmingly voted out of a House subcommittee. Obviously, there are more hurdles to clear, but in the meantime I give you this quote from Lonny Powell, the CEO of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association:

“The misguided effort to decouple racing in favor of slot machine and cardroom casinos threatens the heart of our state’s $3.24 billion, and growing, Thoroughbred industry.”

Well, Mr. Powell, if your industry generates billions – “and growing” – you shouldn’t need taxpayer subsidies, right? These racing people take legislators (and the masses) for fools. At the same time, Powell said this: “I don’t know what we did to deserve that. What did the horse people do to be put in such a spot?” Um, I can answer that, Mr. Powell: You failed. The public (at least outside of Kentucky) doesn’t want what you’re selling anymore.

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