Cynthia_Smoot's Blog

Atlanta Constitution editorialist Mike King says he won't be watching the Preakness this Saturday. But I'm betting ratings will be higher than last year, because this time people will be tuning in for more than a horse race and potential Triple Crown threat. We'll be watching to see if another horse "breaks down" and meets the tragic end of Eight Belles and before her, Barbaro. Mike makes some excellent points on what the thoroughbred industry should do to improve what really has become a blood sport. And he didn't even mention the thousands of ex-racers that go from the track to the slaughterhouse.  HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel had an investigative report on that subject this past Monday night.  Tough to watch, but sometimes the truth is.

Here's a link to the HBO story:   http://www.hbo.com/realsports/stories/index.htmlp>

Here's Mike King's column:  http://www.ajc.com/print/content/printedition/2008/05/
15/mkinged.html