EMERALD DOWNS IS INITIATING A CAMPAIGN TO HELP REHOME THEIR OTTBs. NICE!

This is a great idea and hopefully it will sweep the nation. The Thouroughbred nation, at least…

Emerald Downs is taking bits and pieces (well, 3 bits to be exact) of other breed sales showcases and applying them to OTTBs: a Thoroughbred Showcase, a TB horseshow, and a TB Trainer Challenge.

What a great idea! They have a venue, they know all the people, there are plenty of horses… and a built-in audience plus community draw.

I like that kind of thinking!

WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS?

I’m sure there are fiscal reasons, but the moral reason is that it is a responsibility of racing enthusiasts to help promote the rehoming of the so many TBs that are born into the life – but not money makers – therefore discarded.

If all the tracks had this kind of a rehoming program, there would be much more comprehension of the TBs and many more adoptions/purchases – instead of the alternative.

Bravo, Emerald Downs!

OFF-TRACK THOROUGHBREDS

I found this story on OFF TRACK THOROUGHBREDS. Do you read this blog? it is a good one. Here is the link.

Susan Salk is the writer and she is kindly allowing me to reprint her article – since she wrote it better than I could.

HERE YOU GO:

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TO READ THE REST OF THE STORY, CLICK HERE.

THE END PART…

(I loved this part so I am including it here… but please read the whole story here.)

The track’s desire to do more for its equine athletes through shows and challenges is born from a deeper commitment that sprung from their loyalty to a flashy chestnut who finished in the money fifty percent of the time. Prodigious earned over $200,000 at various tracks, including Emerald Downs, before he dropped down to the $3,500 claimers at age 10.

Emerald Downs’ Vice President of Racing Jack Hodge adopted the animal, and keeps him in a prime front paddock on his property, where he spends his days greeting visitors.