No prying eyes at a private training center

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Mumtaz

When you go to the backstretch, what are you looking for? You trying to find the trainers and talk to them yourself? (versus the press).

I have on a few occasions - more often I'd go back to say hello to someone or just do a little casual observing to kill some time.

The only time I'd go there almost daily to see a horse was for Fabulous Strike.

I'm obviously much more in the minority on this than I thought. I also seem to think fans - even curious new ones - aren't as idiotic and dangerous as the guys who disagree with me all think.

It's a lost oppertunity for the sport in my opinion.

[AeWingnut]

http://www.rgs.uky.edu/odyssey/spring98/sponging.html

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Not sure I understand the purpose for linking to a 12 year old sponging incident - other than maybe trying to prove my point that if someone wants to do something like that - the security and rules that have been in place all along won't stop them.

[AeWingnut]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Not sure I understand the purpose for linking to a 12 year old sponging incident - other than maybe trying to prove my point that if someone wants to do something like that - the security and rules that have been in place all along won't stop them.

Yes, the point is... more people to watch for something as simple as sticking a sponge up a horse's nose.

[AeWingnut]

Doubt Biancone is trying to keep away from the public so much. It's officials snooping around and finding where he stashes the cobra venom

[Cannon Shell]

The public should not be given unrestricted access to the backside for a number of reasons, many already stated. 1st off the tracks and trainers do not want the responsibility of safeguarding the public from potential harm because of the potential of liability. Anyone who thinks that there are no dangers on the backside in the morning obviously has never had a loose horse coming at them at full speed. Or hasnt been kicked or bit by a seemingly docile horse. The liability issue alone is enough to keep people out. But there are other reasons too. Just because you frequent a restaurant you are not allowed unfettered access to the kitchen. Sports teams allow you to see certain parts of training but it is always supervised, you cant just wander into the clubhouse. It is a real stretch to say that horseracing is missing a big opportunity fanwise by not allowing them unrestricted access. Most tracks have some sort of tour program and every track that I know of allows you to view workouts from the grandstand. Derby week is always a zoo with so many people around that dont belong, parking on the horse paths, taking pictures of horses from under the rails spooking horses, etc. Churchill will regret not limiting access someday when someone gets trampled and brings about a billion dollar lawsuit.

[Riot]

Sometimes what goes on in the paddock right before a race amazes me, as far as some of the owner behaviour - especially for a big race, when everyone invites every relative and friend they have and it's very crowded. I hate to see very young kids in there at all. There is never any guarantee that any horse is "under control".