It’s the time of year when the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club cranks up its well-oiled PR machine. Today, the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes, with a 14-horse field of 3-year-olds competing on the infield grass race track, will kick off a 36 day summer season. Are you excited yet? Don’t be.
There will be hats — outrageous hats, funny hats, and flamboyant head coverings–worn by people competing for a $5000 prize and 15 seconds of fame on local TV news. Later this year, the famed Breeder’s Cup, two days of racing moving from track to track each fall, will draw international attention to Del Mar.
The celebratory ‘cool as ever’ public relations slogan, opening day promotions, concerts and celebrity events barely mask the stench of death surrounding the Del Mar race track. It’s not just the (too many) horses dying; it’s the sport itself.
The Sweet Kiss of death…The story of jockey Frank Hays, who died (riding a horse named Sweet Kiss) mid-race from a heart attack, but whose body stayed upright to the finish line and won a 1923 race at Belmont Park (NY) is an apt metaphor for the state of the horse racing industry these days.
At Del Mar, the focus has been on the condition of the race track. The hope is spending money on upgrades will lead to a decline in negative publicity. I would argue there are deeper issues to consider, namely greed and inbreeding.