thoroughbred racing, horse racing tracks

Since 2003 there have been a rash of highly publicized, highly visible deaths of thoroughbred racing horses, enough that there are concerns from the public and politicians which could spell the death of thoroughbred racing. According to an Associated Press article printed in The Hartford Courant newspaper, "Thoroughbred racetracks in the U.S. reported more than three horse deaths a day last year and 5,000 total since 2003, and the vast majority were put down after sustaining devastating injuries on the track, according to an Associated Press survey." The same article went on to state that, "Countless other deaths went unreported because of lax record keeping, the AP found in the broadest such review to date." These statistics have horse lovers up in arms and may threaten the very existence of thoroughbred racing. What this could mean to the nation's hundred of horse racing tracks is unknown at this point, but it's obvious that the world of thoroughbred racing needs to conduct a thorough housecleaning and increase the safety of these magnificent, beautiful animals. But the question remains, can thoroughbred racing survive this latest controversy?